Ray Comfort's Athest Starter Kit

Ten Suggestions for the Novice Atheist

1. Whenever you are presented with credible evidence for God’s existence, call it a “straw man argument,” or “circular reasoning.” If something is quoted from somewhere, label it “quote mining.”
2. When a Christian says that creation proves that there is a Creator, dismiss such common sense by saying “That’s just the old watchmaker argument.”
3. When you hear that you have everything to gain and nothing to lose (the pleasures of Heaven, and the endurance of Hell) by obeying the Gospel, say “That’s just the old ‘Pascal wager.’”
4. You can also deal with the “whoever looks on a woman to lust for her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart,” by saying that there is no evidence that Jesus existed. None.
5. Believe that the Bible is full of mistakes, and actually says things like the world is flat. Do not read it for yourself. That is a big mistake. Instead, read, believe, and imitate Richard Dawkins. Learn and practice the use of big words. “Megalo-maniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully” is a good phrase to learn.
6. Say that you were once a genuine Christian, and that you found it to be false. (The cool thing about being an atheist is that you can lie through your teeth, because you believe that are no moral absolutes.) Additionally, if a Christian points out that this is impossible (simply due to the very definition of Christianity as one who knows the Lord), just reply “That’s the ‘no true Scotsman fallacy.’” PLEASE NOTE: It cannot be overly emphasized how learning and using these little phrases can help you feel secure in dismissing common sense.
7. Believe that nothing is 100% certain, except the theory of Darwinian evolution. Do not question it. Believe with all of your heart that there is credible scientific evidence for species-to-species transitional forms. When you make any argument, pat yourself on the back by concluding with “Man, are you busted!” That will make you feel good about yourself.
8. Deal with the threat of eternal punishment by saying that you don’t believe in the existence of Hell. Then convince yourself that because you don’t believe in something, it therefore doesn’t exist. Don’t follow that logic onto a railway line and an oncoming train.
9. Blame Christianity for the atrocities of the Roman Catholic church--when it tortured Christians through the Spanish Inquisition, imprisoned Galileo for his beliefs, or when it murdered Moslems in the Crusades.
10. Finally, keep in fellowship with other like-minded atheists who believe as you believe, and encourage each other in your beliefs. Build up your faith. Never doubt for a moment. Remember, the key to atheism is to be unreasonable. Fall back on that when you feel threatened. Think shallow, and keep telling yourself that you are intelligent. Remember, an atheist is someone who pretends there is no God.

The Theory of Evolution of the Coca Cola Can

Billions of years ago, a big bang produced a large rock. As the rock cooled, sweet brown liquid formed on its surface. As time passed, aluminum formed itself into a can, a lid, and a tab. Millions of years later, red and white paint fell from the sky, and formed itself into the words “Coca Cola 12 fluid ounces.”

Of course, my theory is an insult to your intellect, because you know that if the Coca Cola can is made, there must be a maker. If it is designed, there must be a designer. The alternative, that it happened by chance or accident, is to move into an intellectual free zone.

The Banana -- The Atheist’s Nightmare

Note that the banana:

1. Is shaped for human hand
2. Has non-slip surface
3. Has outward indicators of inward content:
   Green-too early,
   Yellow-just right,
   Black-too late.
4. Has a tab for removal of wrapper
5. Is perforated on wrapper
6. Bio-degradable wrapper
7. Is shaped for human mouth
8. Has a point at top for ease of entry
9. Is pleasing to taste buds
10. Is curved towards the face to make eating process easy

To say that the banana happened by accident is even more unintelligent than to say that no one designed the Coca Cola can.

TEST ONE The person who thinks the Coca Cola can had no designer is: ___ A. Intelligent ___ B. A fool ___ C. Has an ulterior motive for denying the obvious

The Eye

Did you know that the eye has 40,000,000 nerve endings, the focusing muscles move an estimated 100,000 times a day, and the retina contains 137,000,000 light sensitive cells?

Charles Darwin said,

“To suppose that the eye could have been formed by natural selection, seems I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree.”

If man cannot begin to make a human eye, how could anyone in his right mind think that eyes formed by mere chance? In fact, man cannot make anything from nothing. We don’t know how to do it. We can re-create, reform, develop . . . but we cannot create even one grain of sand from nothing. Yet, the eye is only a small part of the most sophisticated part of creation-the human body.

George Gallup, the famous statistician, said,

“I could prove God statistically; take the human body alone; the chance that all the functions of the individual would just happen, is a statistical monstrosity.”

Albert Einstein said,

“Everyone who is seriously interested in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe—a spirit vastly superior to man, and one in the face of which our modest powers must feel humble.”

TEST TWO A. Do you know of any building that didn’t have a builder? ___ YES ___ NO B. Do you know of any painting that didn’t have a painter? ___ YES ___ NO C. Do you know of any car that didn’t have a maker? ___ YES ___ NO If you answered “YES” for any of the above, give details: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Oranges...

Could I convince you that I dropped 50 oranges onto the ground and they by chance fell into ten rows of five oranges? The logical conclusion is that someone with an intelligent mind put them there. The odds that ten oranges would fall by accident into a straight line are mind-boggling, let alone ten rows of five.

TEST THREE A. From the atom to the universe, is there order? ___ YES ___ NO B. Did it happen by accident? ___ YES ___ NO C. Or, must there have been an intelligent mind? ___ YES ___ NO D. What are the chances of 50 oranges falling by chance into ten rows of five oranges? ______________________ If you answered “YES” for any of the above, give details: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Absolute Statement

The declaration “There is no God” is what is known as an absolute statement. For an absolute statement to be true, I must have absolute knowledge.

Here is another absolute statement: “There is no gold in China.”

TEST FOUR What do I need to have for that statement to be true? A. No knowledge of China. ___ YES ___ NO B. Partial knowledge of China. ___ YES ___ NO C. Absolute knowledge of China. ___ YES ___ NO

“C” is the correct answer. For the statement to be true, I must know that there is no gold in China, or the statement is incorrect. To say “There is no God,” and to be correct in the statement, I must be omniscient.

I must know how many hairs are upon every head, every thought of every human heart, every detail of history, every atom within every rock...nothing is hidden from my eyes...I know the intimate details of the secret love-life of the fleas on the back of the black cat of Napolean’s great-grandmother. To make the absolute statement “There is no God.” I must have absolute knowledge that there isn’t one.

Let’s say that this circle represents all the knowledge in the entire universe, and let’s assume that you have an incredible 1% of all that knowledge. Is it possible, that in the knowledge you haven’t yet come across, there is ample evidence to proved that God does indeed exist?

If you are reasonable, you will have to say, “Having the limited knowledge that I have at present, I believe that there is no God.” In other words, you don’t know if God exists, so you are not an “atheist,” you are what is commonly known as an “agnostic.” You are like a man who looks at a building, and doesn’t know if there was a builder.

TEST FIVE The man who sees a building and doesn’t know if there was a builder is: ___ A. Intelligent ___ B. A fool ___ C. Has an ulterior motive for denying the obvious

Perhaps you have questions that hold you back from faith. First, almost every question you have about suffering humanity etc., can be adequately answered.

Second, we have faith in plenty of things we don’t understand. Did you understand the mechanics of television before you turned it on? Probably not. You took a step of faith, turned it on, and after it worked, understanding how it worked wasn’t that important. We accept that there are unseen television waves right in front of our eyes. We can’t see them because they are invisible. For them to manifest, we need a receiver, then we can enjoy the experience of television.

God is not flesh and blood. He is an eternal Spirit-immortal and invisible. Like the television waves, He cannot be experienced until the “receiver” is switched on. Here is something you will find hard to believe: Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).

Either that is true or it isn’t. Jesus Christ says that He will manifest Himself to anyone who obeys Him. Approach the subject the same way you approached your first television set. Just take a small step of faith. If it works, enjoy it, if it doesn’t, forget it.

Or have you an ulterior motive? Could it be that the “atheist” can’t find God, for the same reason a thief can’t find a policeman? Could it be that your love for sin is clouding your good judgment? If the Bible is true, and Jesus Christ has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel,” then you owe it to yourself just to check it out. Here is how to do that:

TEST SIX With a tender conscience, check this list of the Ten Commandments: Have I always loved God my Creator with all my heart, mind, soul and strength? Have I made a god in my own image a god to suit myself? Have I ever used God’s name in vain? Have I kept the Sabbath holy? Have I always honored my parents implicitly? Have I murdered (God considers hatred as murder)? Have I committed adultery (including premarital sex and lust)? Have I stolen (the value is irrelevant)? Have I lied (including fibs and these questions)? Have I coveted (been greedy or materialistic)? ____YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO ___ YES ___NO

Lawbreakers...

If you have even broken one Law, then you have sinned against God and therefore will “surely die,” for the “wages of sin is death.”

We are all guilty of breaking the Commandments. Listen to the voice of your conscience, and let it remind you of some of the sins of the past. We are not perfect as we are commanded to be (Matthew 5:48), neither is our heart pure. On Judgment Day our transgressions will be evidence of our shame. Think of it: God has seen every sin we have ever committed. We share our thought-life with Him.

We are guilty of violating His Law a multitude of times, yet if we repent, God can forgive us because Jesus stepped into the courtroom 2.000 years ago and paid the fine for us.

His death on the cross satisfied the Law we so blatantly transgressed, and at the same time demonstrated how much God loves us—“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” His shed blood on the cross can make you clean in the sight of a holy God...as though you have never sinned.

God doesn’t want you to go to Hell. Please, forget your arguments, repent and put your trust in Jesus and be saved from God’s wrath. Make Psalm 51 your prayer, then read your Bible daily and always obey what you read; God will never let you down. Thank you for taking the time to read this booklet.

Adapted from God Doesn’t Believe in Atheists
by Ray Comfort (Living Waters)
available through your Christian bookstore.

The Voice of an Angel

Earlier this summer, I had the immense honor to meet the great artist Angela Knight after one of her performances.

This woman has a voice that any diva would covet... and yet I was caught off guard by her sweet and simpatico personality.

Check out Angela’s web site where you can hear samples of her mellifluous voice and (if you like what you hear) purchase her latest CD, Giubileo.

Meet Bebo Norman

September 2nd, 2008

	PRE-ORDER "BEBO NORMAN" TODAY & ATTEND THE MEET & GREET! Pre-Order Bebo Norman's new album "Bebo Norman" coming September 16th, 2008! Grab your copy at Musichristian or Family Christian and receive an EXCLUSIVE MEET & GREET PASS.
	BEBO NORMAN'S NEW SINGLE "BRITNEY" IS LIVE NOW Get Bebo Norman's new single "Britney" at iTunes and hear what lots of folks have been talking about. You can also head over to Bebo's myspace page to hear it before you buy it!
	HELP SPREAD THE WORD WITH THE BEBO NORMAN WIDGET Check out the Bebo Norman Widget and share it with your friends! You can even post it on their page!! The Bebo Norman Widget features two singles, tour info, a countdown til release date and more. So check it out and spread it around!
	JOIN THE SIMPLETONS! Want to be apart of Bebo's Official Street Team - The Simpletons?! Well now you can! CLICK HERE and get plugged in! The Simpletons participate in fun different projects to help spread the word and they get some pretty cool hookups for being apart of all the fun. So come join in on all the fun...join The Simpletons today!!
	BEBO NORMAN ON TOUR THIS FALL WITH MERCY ME Make sure and check out Bebo's tour dates as he will be heading out this Fall with Mercy Me. Check out the tour e-card. 9/9 - Cincinnati, OH 9/16 - Lawrenceville, GA 9/21 - Denver, CO 9/25 - Knoxville, TN 9/26 - Clemont, FL 9/27 - Elgin, IL 9/28 - Hattlesburg, MS 10/16 - Virginia Beach, VA 10/17 - Salisbury, MD 10/18 - Peckville, PA 10/24 - Shreveport, LA 10/25 - Wichita Falls, TX 10/26 - Austin, TX 10/30 - Holland, MI 10/31 - Lynchburg, VA 11/5 - Hannibal, MI 11/7 - Amarillo, TX 11/8 - Lubbock, TX 11/9 - Abilene, TX 11/14 - Lincoln, NE 11/15 - Davenport, IA 11/20 - New Albany, IN 12/2 - Elkhorn, NE 12/4 - Lexington, KY 12/5 - Richmond, VA 12/6 - Danbury, CT 12/7 - Schenectady, NY 12/11 - Fort Myers, FL 12/12 - Largo, FL 12/13 - Orland, FL 12/17 - Charlotte, NC 12/18 - Nashville, TN 12/19 - Kokomo, IN 12/20 - Montague, MI 12/21 - Milford, OH

Spiritual Meanies

I was reading a political blog and the topic of evangelical Christians came up. The writer, who presumably was not a believer, wailed about how so many people who call themselves Christians do lots of things... but the one thing that they don’t do is follow the teachings of Jesus.

I stopped and thought about that. We do so many things in His name except the one thing that He said would be a sign of our being connected to Him.

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

John 13:34-25 [AMP]

That made me think both of my lack of love... and of experiences from spiritual meanies that I have encountered over the years...

You know the type. They look as if they have been baptized in pickle juice. They frown and scowl. They never offer positive encouragement but, rather, are quick with the put-downs and condemnation.

Look at that whore on the street corner...

Why, that ugly old drunk needs to go somewhere and sober up...

Those kids with the tattoos and the BB’s through their noses oughta be ashamed, walking around looking like that.

I have experienced people wagging their finger at me to point out some (real or percieved) sin in my life. Hey pal, how about praying that we all are stronger in our walk?

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].

Proverbs 27:17 [AMP]

I remember as an undergrad in Washington DC, I got through college by the skin of my financial teeth. But I trusted God and He provided. Granted, I never received enough salary or stipend to maintain a bank account, so I cashed each check I received. In DC at that time, liquor stores were authorized by the District to cash checks. Granted, a lot of poor people would go in with some sort of subsistence check and come out with an arm full of booze... but some people were mostly honest in that regard.

Well, a sister in Christ confronted me after church with her finger pointed in my face.

“A-ha!” she exclaimed. “You’re supposed to be a CHRISTIAN! But I saw you go into the liquor store!”

I asked, “Did you also see me exit the store?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Was I carrying any liquor?” I asked.

She realized that I was not. I explained that I simply cashed my ROTC stipend. And she went away sorrowful... because she didn’t have occasion to accuse her brother.

Whoa! Don’t you think maybe she might have gone to her prayer closet and said, “Father, I don’t know if my brother has sin in his life... or if there is some problem that has taken his eyes off of You and made him seek the bottle. In any instance, I just pray his strength in the name of Jesus.”

But, in reality, how often do we ever do that? Most of the time, we are quick to judge, and then thank God that we are not as bad a sinner as the other guy. Whoa! Are we so self-righteous that we don’t realize that we are all saved by grace... and were it not for God’s grace we would all be a disgrace?

Let’s not be Christian meanies. Let’s not act like self-righteous weenies. But let us be quick to intercede for each other and (most importantly) love one another with humble spirits and godly fear.

Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men--extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers--or even like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain. But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am! I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 18:10-14 [AMP]

Amen.

Hurricane Gustav - A Call to Urgent Prayer by Tom Victor

Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,

I woke up very early this morning with a growing concern. Here in the United States we are in a holiday weekend. But we are also facing a significant challenge. No doubt many of you are already praying - but would you take a couple of minutes to read the following. Then please join us in prayer and help to get this prayer alert out to others that can join with us both in the United States and around the world. Here's why.

History and Context:

In 2005 as Rita, a category 5 Hurricane was lining up for a direct hit on Houston, sustained winds had reached 180 miles per hour. Lt. Col. Warren Madden, a Hurricane Hunter and meteorologist for the Weather Channel, recorded a peak wind gust of 235 miles per hour while flying in the eye of the story and called Rita, "the strongest storm that I've ever been in."

It was indeed a killer, the strongest hurricane to enter the Gulf of Mexico at the time, surpassing the strength of Hurricane Katrina that had devastated New Orleans and the surrounding area only weeks earlier. As a result the largest mass evacuation in our nation's history began in the Greater Houston area, involving some 2.7 million people.

Suzette Caldwell, associate pastor for Windsor Village United Methodist Church and President of the Kingdom Builders' Prayer Institute, issued an urgent call to pray. A specific prayer assignment was given as people in Houston were encouraged to point their hands towards Rita and pray in unity. That call was picked up through the Houston Prays network and sent out to key prayer networks in places like Indonesia, India and to praying people literally around the world.

The Miracle:

Did God answer those prayers? We watched as Hurricane Rita shifted her course and landed 100 miles to the east in the least populated regions of the coast. The winds diminished from 180 to 115 miles per hour when the storm made landfall. Winds blowing offshore in Texas actually flattened the storm surge which was only seven feet in Galveston, well below the Galveston seawall. The five inches of rain expected to fall overnight in neighboring New Orleans also did not happen and the pressure on their levee system was eased. Following Rita, gas prices fell in the U.S. instead of rising as feared.

Current Challenge:

We are facing a new threat as Hurricane Gustav is moving toward the Gulf of Mexico. A line of storms is forming behind, including tropical storm Hanna. Water temperatures are very favorable for intensification of Hurricane Gustav. It has already reached Major Hurricane Status of category 4 with sustained winds of 145 miles per hour. Those winds are expected to strengthen with a growing probability of a full category 5 hurricane.

The implications of Gustav and this line of storms following for our entire nation are very significant, especially for the peoples along the Gulf Coast and in major cities of New Orleans and Houston. Evacuation plans are already in place as well as contingency plans for the GOP National Convention on Monday.

God was gracious to us during Rita as united prayers were lifted up in the area and around the world. Would you join with us in prayer once again?

Call to Urgent, United Prayer for Gustav:

Please join with us in faith as we unite our hearts in prayer. For those in the Gulf Area, you are encouraged to point your hands towards Gustav and pray the following:

The Prayer:

Father, we acknowledge you as Lord over the United States.

You reign above all gods. All power belongs to You.

We thank You for your continual protection and provision.

Using the authority given to us in the Name of Jesus, we speak to Hurricane Gustav and we command the winds and the storm to dissipate.

We ask for the peace of God to still Hurricane Gustav, and we declare that Gustav will not bring harm or destruction to New Orleans, Houston or the surrounding coastal areas.

We also speak to Hanna and the storms lining up following Gustav. We declare peace to these storms and we command them to dissipate and to do no harm.

Lord, we ask You to touch the heart of every believer in this area to pray against this hurricane. Raise up a Spirit of prayer and empower your people to pray effectively.

Father, please forgive our many sins. Please forgive our disobedience, rebellion, unbelief, and any forms of idolatry. Lord, help us to be a nation that is kind and forgiving to others.

Have mercy upon us. Lord, help us to overcome our temptations as a nation, and please deliver us from this impending destruction. We ask You to destroy every satanic assignment against our nation during this season.

Father, in Your great love and compassion we also ask you to protect the peoples of the islands in the path of Gustav, Hanna and these weather system.

Now to the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. We ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Thanks for praying,

Tom Victor

A Democracy and the Church

A democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Thus the power of change rests with the majority of the people. Therefore, the government reflects the will of the people. Their moral values, work habits, code of ethics and etc. are mirrored by the one’s they elect to hold government office. If the majority’s standards are high in these things then the one they elect to office will be of high standards. If the majority’s values are corrupt then the government is corrupt. The nature or character of the majority of a nation of people is directly reflected in the nature or character of the government of that democracy---for the people are the government.

Many of the congregations that gather in our Lord’s name govern themselves as though they are a democracy. The majority of the people elect the officials from among themselves or from the schools that they have established to train their leaders. The pastor, deacon, bishop, priest, pope, convention or association president, clerk, denominational head, or what ever they may call them, are all elected, directly or indirectly, by the people. If the people have high values then the one they elect from among themselves will also have high values. Of course, if the people have lowered their standards then they can expect their leaders to have the same lower standards.

But contrary to today’s modern “church” our Lord’s kingdom, His church, is not a democracy; it is a theocracy governed by the rule of His law; and the power to change the lives of men rests in His law (Romans 1:16). Thus the law of a never changing God working in the lives of His people reflects His will. The very nature of God is manifested in those who believe and obey Him from a heart of love. It is from among these that He calls and seats in the offices of His kingdom (Ephesians 4:11). Thus the nature of God’s kingdom is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 NAS). These are the works of the Spirit of God, not MAN.

If we are to ever see democracy work again in this country, God and His theocracy must be restored in the American church; rather, it must repent and be united to His church. A nation that is a democracy such as ours can only function to a proper success when the heart of its people is governed by God’s theocracy. A democracy of an immoral self-centered people is distained to failure---this is God’s judgment.

No politician can bring about the needed change in this nation or in this world. Only Jesus Christ seated on the throne of the lives of the majority of the people of this nation, ruling their spirits, can bring about the needed change.

About the Kingdom of God

The kingdom of heaven and its blessings is here now—it is not all “pie in the sky in the sweet by and by.” But we must learn how to reap its benefits. Please read this entire message and study it carefully---you will be spiritually blessed.

Note: This is not a doctrine of financial prosperity.

At His trial, in response to Pilate:

“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”

(John 18:36 NASU)

The origin of our Lord’s kingdom is of the spirit realm and comes down from heaven to earth in His person. The power of His kingdom is not in mighty armies and weapons as the nations of the world, but is in His word ministered in love. The message of His love conquers the hearts of the wicked and rescues them from a burning hell and transfers them into His kingdom of love, joy, peace and eternal life. Therefore, as the King of His kingdom He rules over the spirits of converted men.

The kingdom of God in the earth began humbly in a manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago with the birth of a baby named Jesus (Yeshua), God’s unique Son (Luke 2:7; John 1:14). Thus the kingdom of God on earth began with the loving gift of His Son that through Him men might enter His kingdom and the realm of eternal life. About thirty-three and one half years into His incarnate life He was crucified and became the “chief corner stone” that the builders rejected at Mt. Calvary (Isaiah 8:14 NAS; Matthew 21:42 NAS).

Three days after His crucifixion our Lord and King was resurrected from the dead by the Holy Spirit of God with demonstration of great power and authority. Thus Jesus became the “first born from the dead,” or rather He was the first to be “born again;” He was the “first of many brethren (Hebrews 2:10-13),” or the first of many to be born again; that He might have first place in everything (Colossians 1:18). He, The Living Word of God (John 1:1-2 & 14; Revelation 19:13) that the nation Israel rejected, became the “corner stone” and foundation of the church, the kingdom of God in the earth (Psalms 118:19-23; 1^st Peter 2:7 NAS).

His kingdom is likened unto the leaven that was hidden in the lump of dough (Matthew 13:33 NAS). The beginning of His kingdom is as the precious pearl of great value, yet so small it can be hidden in ones pocket (Matthew 13:46 NAS). And His kingdom is also likened unto the grain of mustard seed that is the smallest seed in the earth, yet it grows so large it becomes the resting place for the foul of the air (Luke 13:19 NAS; Mark 4:31-32 NAS).

As to the foundation of His kingdom---kings, kingdoms, heaven and earth will all pass away but God’s word will never pass away (Matthew 24:35 NAS; Mark 13:31 NAS; Luke 21:33 NAS). His is the kingdom that is built upon a “rock” and the “gates of hell” cannot, has not and will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18 NAS).

When Jesus was resurrected many others were resurrected after Him (Matthew 27:51-53 NAS); they were among the “born again” along with all of the faithful disciples who were the first of the citizens of this new and exciting kingdom (John 20:22 NAS).

Before our Lord ascended unto the Father He gave His disciples instructions not to leave, but to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit of Promise and they would receive power (Acts 1:4-8 NAS). On the day of Pentecost the promise of the Spirit was fulfilled with another great demonstration of power over evil and three thousand souls were snatched from the grasp of Satan and were added to the church that day (Acts 2:1-41 NAS). The giving of the Holy Spirit was the completion of the divine order for the church and the kingdom had begun its powerful quest to fill all the earth with the glory of God.

The “golden thread” that runs through the kingdom of God is “faith working through love (Galatians 5:6 NAS).” The Spirit of the Father through His Son first established this great principle through His relationship with all of His disciples. As they grew in revelation knowledge (Matthew 16:13-19 NAS) of Him their hearts became knit together with His in love and they grew in holy faith. This was the beginning of His writing His law upon the hearts of men (Jeremiah 31:33).

After our Lord’s death the disciples became “messengers of God” or apostles bearing the good news of the mighty works of God and of salvation through Jesus Christ. They continued in the law of faith working through love and other teachings that had been written upon their hearts. The Holy Spirit, through these men of God, brought into effect all the doctrines necessary for governing God’s kingdom (John 16:13-15 NAS). Therefore the foundation of God’s kingdom was not and is not laid by carnal man and does not rest upon the wisdom of mere men, but upon the wisdom and power of God (1^st Corinthians 2:1-5).

To understand the wonderful nature of the kingdom of love, joy and peace one must know and accept the fact that Jesus Christ is the personification or the embodiment of the law of His kingdom; He is the Word of God (John 1:1-2 & 14 NAS). This being so, The Word of God, is also Lord and King or ruler of the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit of God is the teacher of the kingdom and He speaks of and glorifies the Son (John 16:14).

While speaking to Nicodemus Jesus said,

‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God’.”

(John 3:3 NASU)

Our Lord’s kingdom, His congregation called His church, is not a religion but an entity, a nation of people born of the Spirit who are one with their King. To see the church that Jesus established is the kingdom of God in the earth and that He is the King of this kingdom one must be “born again” of the Spirit. Furthermore, to understand the government and know the blessings of living within the boarders of our Lord’s kingdom one must be “born again” of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). He must be cleansed by the washing of the water with the word (Ephesians 5:26). For this reason he is baptized into Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, by the Holy Spirit. Through this process he is set apart (sanctified) from the world and set into the kingdom of God and made one with his Lord; he is a “new creature” of the spirit realm, old things have pasted away and new things have come (Colossians 5:17).

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

(Galatians 5:24 NASU)

Without a vision of the blessing of living in the kingdom of our Lord one’s soul perishes under the influence of the sinful flesh. That which opposes the power of love is lust---the overwhelming desires of the flesh nature. Therefore the new convert must die to the desires of the flesh. The nails of repentance are the way to the cross with Jesus; and faith in Him is the way to resurrection life. Repentance is the empting of one’s soul of sinful lust and preparing the heart with a love for the word of God. This is accomplished only through convictions brought about by the Holy Spirit; resulting in a deep sorrow and remorsefulness for crimes committed against God. The only voice the Savior hears from outside His kingdom is one pleading to be granted repentance.

The word of God requires a heart that is empty. A heart filled with earthly projects, carnal interests, ambition, thoughts of becoming rich in worldly goods, and with the love of the luxuries and pleasures of life is not fit to enter the kingdom of our Lord.

Take heed to the words of Jesus:

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

(Matthew 6:24 NASU)

Man cannot serve the riches of the world and the kingdom of heaven. One must be dedicated to and live within the boundaries of the kingdom of heaven to receive the blessings of it. God’s word defines the boarders of the kingdom; to live within these boarders and receive the blessings of the King one must be obedient to the commandments of God from a heart of thanksgiving and love (John 14:15).

Jesus continues, referring to verse 24 above:

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing’?”

(Matthew 6:25-31)

When God, by the hand of Moses, led the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt they entered a wilderness. There God fed them for forty years with food from the heavens, gave them water from a rock and their cloths and sandals never wore out. If God so loved and took care of a people whom He had delivered because of faith in the shedding of the blood of an animal how much more will He take care of a people He has delivered from the bondage of sin and death by their faith in the shedding of the blood of His own Son?

“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

(Matthew 6:25-33 NASU)

The heathen seek the things of the world; the sons of God seek His kingdom and His righteousness.

Our heavenly Father knows our every need but when His subjects, His children obey His commandments His ear is always attentive to their prayers. Our Lord and Savior desires that His children not be anxious about their daily needs in order that they not be distracted from the work of the kingdom. Therefore we should focus upon His kingdom and His righteousness; when He went to the cross to die in our stead His focus was upon serving us; now our focus should be upon serving Him from a heart of love.

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

(Romans 8:1-2 NASU)

“So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God .”

(Romans 8:12-14 NASU)

Not all who claim the kingdom are truly sons of God.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter .”

(Matthew 7:21 NASU)

Therefore,

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

(Galatians 5:25 NASU)

A Closing Thought

The sons of God are the true church, the kingdom of heaven, the salt in the world to purify, give flavor and preserve. In these United States of America it is a theocracy within a democracy. Without its strong influence in the hearts of the majority of the people and men in our government, like the heathen democracies before us, we will surely fall. A nation of people who put their trust in God and obey His commandments is a blessed nation. Selah.

James C Sanford

Classic Podcast: Purple Pope Hats

Are you pursuing a daily personal and intimate walk with God... or do you hide behind the symbols of your religious tradition?

Download or listen to this classic podcast: http://www.link2power.org/podcasts/Purple_Pope_Hats.MP3

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I Need a God Who Can

Do you find it hard to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Sometimes I find it hard to comprehend. But that is ok, I am not alone. The disciples had spent three years with Jesus, and still they did not understand when they found the tomb empty. The scriptures tell us in Luke that when the women returned from the tomb and told the disciples that Jesus had risen, they didn't believe them. "But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense." Luke 24;11 NIV It is hard to believe in something that is not a normal part of life. It seems like nonsense to us too.

People die all the time. The papers carry an obituary sectionevery day, but I have yet to see a paper that carries a resurrection section. People die...but they just don't rise from the dead. The story of Jesus rising from the dead is hard to believe. It is just not a natural part of every day life. Have you ever known someone to go to the cemetary looking for living people? The women in the gospels didn't! They went expecting to find a corpse. Not just someone who was in cardiac arrest and in need of CPR. They expected to find a body dead for three days.A body with rigor mortis, a body already starting to decay. Yet, what they expected...they didn't find. Instead of a body, they found and empty tomb and a risen Lord!

I need a God like this. I need a God that does things beyond what I can comprehend. I can't comprehend bodies raising from the dead. That just does not make sense to me. I need a God that can do things that I can't figure out. I want a God that is bigger than anything I can figure out and understand.

I want a God that does supernatural things! I don't want a God that is limited by the natural. I need a God who does things that can't be explained on the History and Discovery Channels.

If I am able to comprehend all that God does, then God is no bigger than my mind. If God is only able to function within the realm of my comprehension, then God is no bigger than the human mind. I need a God that is not confined by my understanding. I want a God bigger than anything I can possible think of. A God which nothing can confine.

We attempt to confine God all the time. We try to keep him contained where we can control him. They attempted to contain Jesus by using his mortality. They thought, "If we kill him, that will contain him." Surely death will hold him. But to be sure,they attempted to contain him with rock and stones, sealed within a tomb. And if that is not enough,they placed a gaurd upon the tomb.

The Roman gaurd placed on the tomb was nothing to be trifled with. In today's world, it would be like being gaurded by team of Navy seals. Yet, death could not contain him, the tomb could not hold him, and the Roman Gaurd fled in fear. I want a God like that. One that nothing I can think of can contain him.

Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." I want a God that is immeasurably more than anything I can think of, greater than my wildest imagination.

A God like that is able to accomplish things, that if it were up to me would remain unsolved and unresolved. Situations that seem hopeless, now find hope in a resurrected Lord. Broken people and broken lives can be restored by the power of a resurrected Lord. Addictions and issues that seem more than I can cope with, Jesus is able to overcome. I know this, because even death can not hold him.

I need a God that great! I need a God that is so big, everything else I face in lifebecomes small in comparison. With him, all things are possible. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

A resurrected Lord...difficult to comprehend. Itmakes no earthly sense. So I turn to faith. I chose to believe something I can't see. I chose to believe in something that is greater than me. Jesus once said if we have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed we can move mountains. I believe. I need a God like Jesus I can believe in. I need a Lord that although he once was dead, now HE LIVES!!

Author John Phipps, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Wayensburg, PA

A Call for Repentance (revised)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

(Matthew 5:13 NIV)

Salt has literally hundreds of uses, but here Jesus is speaking of the positive qualities it has in purifying, seasoning and preserving.

Those who are taught and trained in the word of God are likened unto salt; they serve as a purifying agent in their community, spreading as seasoning, the word of God and preserving the principals of godliness. But when the truth of God is exchanged for myths, fables, lies and the tradition of men the “salt” has become tasteless or has lost it’s “saltiness” and “it is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

“Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God??”

(Romans 2:1-3 NASU)

The design of this scripture is to show that the Jews were no less guilty of breaking His Law than the Gentiles, and that they needed the benefit of the same salvation. The same is true of the church today. The church has greater light than the people of the world, and yet they do the same things that the heathen do. Still they are in the habit of accusing and condemning the heathen as wicked and having need of salvation; while they excuse themselves on the ground that they possessed the word of truth, and are His chosen people. The scripture here affirms that the church is inexcusable in her sins, and is condemned in the sight of God on the same ground on which they condemn the world; to wit, that they have truth and yet commit wickedness.

Our churches of today have welcomed and accepted the traditions of the world and the practice of paganism into the church and are teaching myths, fables and lies rather than the truths of God’s Holy Scriptures. They have tickled the ears of the masses for the sake of numbers in the pews and dollars in the offering plate. They have become rich and think they have need of nothing.

Yes, the church has fallen away from the faith of our forefathers and have become as the heathen. Immorality in the pulpits has led to immorality being accepted in the congregations and it seems no one in the churches is speaking out against it. Thus the church is no longer held is high esteem by the community it is serving, but is looked upon as being a house of hypocrites, whoremongers and thieves.

We look at our leaders in government in awe of their total disrespect for the laws that they are sworn to uphold, we presently see congressmen and senators with morals less than that of an alley cat. In the past we have seen, and was even approved by the masses, immorality in the White House. We have become a nation of shameless fornicators, adulteresses and murders!! Homosexuality and same sex marriages are now accepted as a normal way of life.

The responsibility of these moral failures lies on the shoulders of the church; the church is to be the moral fiber of the nation. Why do we see crime of all sorts in our communities on the rise? Do we wonder how these things can be? Could it be that the “salt” has become “tasteless” and has lost its ability to purify, season and preserve? Has the church become the apostate church? Has this apostate church led this nation down the path of destruction?

Where is the fear of God? Have we as a church and a nation become so haughty that we don’t any longer fear Him? Have we become so unpleasantly or disdainfully self-important we feel that we are self-sufficient and have no need to reverence God? Have we become so proud of our military that we lean upon our own might rather that the power of God?

We must take heed lest we fall,

“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.”

(Proverbs 18:12 NIV)

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

(Proverbs 11:2 NIV)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

(Psalms 111:10 NIV)

We must return to teaching the precepts of our Lord to see the salvation of a declining nation destined to fall. Yes, our nation is in a downward spiral into the pit of immorality, but if we will listen to the words that God speaks to His people and take heed there is still hope.

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

(Romans 2:4 NASU)

God has shown us His love through His tolerance and patience with our sin; let us not think lightly of the riches of His kindness for it is though these that He leads us to repentance.

“---- If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

(2^nd Chronicles 7:14 NASU)

When He says, “if my people who are called by My name” He is speaking to the church today just as He spoke in the days of King Solomon. He is calling for His people of today to come humbly before Him and to pray. God hears the prayers of the humble but resist the proud.

How can the salt become salty again? Repent and call upon the name of the Lord that our sins might be forgiven. The church must repent; turn its back on sin and seek God’s face in humbleness with broken and contrite hearts. God promises that He will hear the prayers of the broken and contrite.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus.”

(Acts 3:19-20 NASU)

We as a church and nation must turn from the course of wickedness in which we have been so long walking. Sin cannot be pardoned before man repents of it. In the order of the work of grace, repentance must always precede pardon. Of course, no peoples can have evidence that their sin is pardoned until they repent.

The enemy is at work he never sleeps. He has penetrated our boarders and sits in our pews, he has filled our pulpits and governmental offices, and he seeks whom he might destroy. The faithful and true church is the “salt” that preserves and it must be this church that brings this nation back to God; the church must lead this nation in repentance before it is too late. We must call upon our Lord and Savior to give us wisdom and strength; we must lean upon His power to save us. Selah.

James C Sanford

Clay Vessels (Revisited)

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.

They didn’t look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone! Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It’s like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn’t look like much from the outside. It isn’t always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

A Kingdom of Truth and Love

“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)

In a sense Pilate was asking Jesus, do you admit the charge in any way that the Jews have brought against you, or do you lay claim to a kingdom of any kind?

Jesus answered in a form of expression denoting affirmation. It is equivalent to yes.

This does not mean simply that Pilate affirmed that he was a king; it does not appear that he had done this; but it means, “You affirm the truth; you declare what is correct, for I am a king.” I am a king and do not deny it.

Jesus continues to state that He was born into the world that He might set up and maintain a kingdom “not of this world” but a spiritual government. By this He showed what was the nature of His kingdom; this government is established in and by love and truth. It was not to assert power; not to collect armies and not to subdue nations in battle. It was simply to present truth to men; and He would close the establishing of His kingdom of truth with the greatest expression of love ever made toward man. Thus He writes His laws upon the hearts of men and exercises dominion only by the power of love and truth. Hence, the only power put forth in the kingdom of our Lord to restrain the wicked is in convicting the sinner, in converting the heart, in guiding and leading those who come to Him, cleansing and sanctifying them, by applying truth to the heart and mind through love. All that love truth, hears His voice and attends to the spiritual doctrines He teaches.

Therefore it is by truth and love that our Lord influences the minds and governs the people of His kingdom. Men are not forced to enter His kingdom. Through the hearing of truth they are made to see that they are sinners; and that God is loving and merciful, that they need a Redeemer, and that He is the One who loved them enough to pay the price for their redemption, and yield wholly to be governed by Him---the Living Word of God.

During the time our Lord 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 (John 1:14). Like Pilate, most of mankind had lost sight of truth and Jesus came that He might restore truth and righteousness in the earth. 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 lives of men.

The Apostle Paul writes,

“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.”

(1^st 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. His truth has the power to deliver the souls of men from the prison of darkness---the dungeon of death, and to bring them into the kingdom of light and eternal life. I fear that in the these modern times ungodly men have crept in preaching a different “Jesus” than the One who suffered and died to redeem the souls of men---a different One than the Apostle Paul preached; and as the serpent deceived Eve they have led God’s children astray (2^nd Corinthians 11:3-4). Myths, fantasy, fiction, fables, lies, the practice of observing pagan holidays, rituals, idolatry, immorality, traditions of men and things like these---these have NO saving power---they are the opposite---they are of the kingdom of darkness. These have no place in the church of the living God; for the true Church is Christ body in the earth today, the embodiment of truth.

“These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you, but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”

(1^st John 2:26-27 NASU)

If indeed you have come to know the Son of the Living God stir up the gift of the Spirit that is within you. You are without excuse for you have the power within you to know, understand and walk in love and truth. To be a member of the body of Christ, the Church, one must be faithful to seek to know and be obedient to---and faithfully speak the truth. Keeping God’s truth is a key element of divine love. One who knows God’s love has and is obedient to His truth.

“And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him; the one who says he abides in Him ought himself walk in the same manner as He walked.”

(1^st John 2:3-6)

When trials or tribulations come to the true believers, they stand because their foundation is laid by the word of their Lord. They know the truth and do not profane or pollute the name of their Lord with the lies of paganism.

“‘As for you, O house of Israel’ thus says the Lord God, 'Go serve everyone his idols, but later, you will surely listen to Me, and My holy name you will profane (pollute) no longer with your gifts and with your idols’.”

(Ezekiel 20:39 NASU)

God’s people of faith are members of the true Church that will endure (James 1:2-4).

• They refuse to bow to heathen gods even though they may go to the fiery furnace (Daniel chapter 3) or to the lions den (Daniel chapter 6).
  

• They will not take the “mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:14-18; 14:9-12) because they love not their life “even unto death” (Revelation 12:11).
  

• They bear the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 3:8-9) and present their bodies a living and holy sacrifice (1^st Peter 1:13-21) acceptable to the service of God, not being conformed to the world (Romans 12:1-2), but being transformed to the image of their Lord (Galatians 2:20; 5:22-23)
  

• When the “tares” (the children of lies) are removed, the “wheat” (the children of truth) will be gathered into the barn” (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43).

“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. Selah.”

(Psalm 43:3)

James C Sanford

Christian Conduct

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there are many in the world that is lost and dying because they do not know our Lord and Savior. We as children of God should always lift up our Lord’s name and present to the world His great plan of salvation. Older and more mature believers should always endeavor to teach the younger Christians as well, and set an example before them of proper Christian conduct; but I have observed that many who call themselves Christians act just like the unbelievers; they do not set themselves apart from the worldly.

As a pastor and teacher of the word of God I am held responsible and accountable for the things I teach and the manner in which I conduct myself. Our Creator holds you, as a believer, responsible for how you hear the word of God and how you conduct yourself as well. It is our privilege and responsibility to rightly represent our Lord and Savior---for we are His ambassadors.

In the Epistle to the Galatians we find these words.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
(Galatians 5:22-23 NASU)

If indeed we have believed, repented and been baptized in the name of our Lord we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). And if we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us then we also have the fruit of the Spirit. These fruits are then manifested in our daily lives unless we quince the Spirit by unholy conduct. These fruits of the Spirit are evidence of God in our lives and present us in His image.

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
(Galatians 5:24 NASU)

According to the above Scripture we should not be able to walk in unholy conduct because these deeds of the flesh have been crucified with Christ. And if we have been crucified with Christ we are also buried with Him. And if we are buried with Him then we are also raised up with Him a new creature “the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2^nd Corinthians 5:13 NASU);” we have been “born again” to live and walk by the leadership and power of the Spirit dwelling within us.

Therefore,

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”
(Galatians 5:25-26 NASU)

When one has been born again he has been raised from the dead and he no longer wears the cloths of the dead. He receives unto himself the robe of righteousness from his Lord Jesus; this is the robe of the living. He undergoes an inward change that is manifested outwardly by the love for His Savior that has been given to him by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). His conduct is that of a saint. He walks as a disciple in reverent awe of His Lord

Concerning conduct the Apostle Peter writes,

“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth.”
(1^st Peter 1:17 NASU)

If you have been reconciled to the Father through His Son “then conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;” for the One you address as Father is also “the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work.” Conduct yourselves in respect and reverent awe of our all-powerful Creator, the one who is able to save your soul or destroy it in hell (Matthew 10:28).

The Apostle Paul speaks of conduct in this manner,

“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”
(Ephesians 4:17-19 NASU)

You are called to holiness; the unbelievers have no such calling; do not live according to their chosen lifestyle. You are to be set apart from the ungodly and live according to the righteousness you have been called into by grace through faith.

The children of the world, because of their unbelief, have been darkened in their understanding and often mock the things you should cherish as a believer. They have been “excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them.” But you are not excluded if you hold fast the things you have learned of the Lord, if indeed you have been taught of Him. But they hold fast to the sin that is in the world “because of the hardness of their heart.”

Like hands that have become callous from hard labor and no longer have a sense of feeling so are the hearts of the sinners. Their souls have labored in sin so long that they have become callous and have lost all sense of tenderness, love and mercy. But beware; if you walk as the unbelievers walk your heart can become callous also!!

“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
(Ephesians 4:20-24 NASU)

If we have become Disciples of Christ it means that we are being trained in the ways of righteousness and because of practice are able to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). We no longer walk the paths of the sinners. We cease to indulge in sexual immorality (fornication), divorce, adultery, thief, murder and etc.

The Spirit renews the true disciples mind and the new self is put on in the likeness of Christ who is in the image of God the Father.

“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”
(Ephesians 4:25-29 NASU)

It is the work of the Spirit in the believers life bringing about the change, it is not just a reformation brought about by self. Such work of ones self would be the work of the flesh and would not endure, it would soon fail and pass away.

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
(Ephesians 4:30 NASU)

Disregarding the guidance of the Holy Spirit grieves Him; we should listen and take heed to His teachings for that is our guidance into the will of the Father.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
(Ephesians 4:31-32 NASU)

Love is not offended; if we have love, then bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander cannot abide in us, neither can malice. Kindness, tender-heartedness and forgiveness is the nature of love.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”
(Ephesians 5:1 NASU).”

Let our conduct be like that of our Lord; by knowledge acquired of the Holy Spirit (1^st Corinthians 2:10-13) and observing Him through the eyes of the same Spirit we must imitate Him in all our actions, words, spirit, and inclinations; imitate Him as children do their parents, and remember that we stand in the relation of beloved children to Him. It is natural for children to imitate their parents; it is their constant aim to learn of them, and to copy them in all things; whatever they see the parent do, whatever they hear them speak, that they endeavor to copy and imitate. If therefore we be children of God, we must, by the power of the Holy Spirit, show this love to our heavenly Father, and imitate all His moral perfections, and through the same Spirit “put on the mind” of our Lord and Savior.

“and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
(Ephesians 5:2 NASU)

A true disciple of Christ should let every act of life be dictated by love to God and man; laying down his/her lives for their fellow man if necessary; counting nothing too difficult to be done in order to gain their eternal salvation; this is not a suggestion or an option but a command from our Lord (John 13:34-35).

“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
(Ephesians 5:4-5 NASU)

Let it be understood: Heaven will be pure!!! Thus NO impure person will dwell there.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”
(Ephesians 5:6 NASU)

Let no one by eloquent speech and artful pleas (ear tickling) persuade you that; there will be no danger from practicing worldliness. We may suppose that one would be under strong temptations to mingle in the “happy” and “festive” scenes where acts of the “sinful human nature” are not frowned upon, or where they are practiced; or that a person might be tempted to commit these acts of sin by some of the plausible arguments such as “we are only human” which are now used for their own indulgence. Many of our friends may walk in these circles; and they would endeavor to convince others that such were the customs that had been long practiced, and that there could be no harm still in their indulgence “since everybody is doing it.”

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
(Galatians 6:7-8 NASU)

“Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”

For this reason it says,
‘Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you’.”

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

(Ephesians 5:7-17 NASU)

James C Sanford

Christopher Laurie

Statement on the Passing of Christopher Laurie, Son of Pastor Greg Laurie
July 24, 2008
Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, died Thursday morning in a car accident. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.

In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Stella, as well as his brother Jonathan. Christopher and his wife are expecting another daughter in November.

Memorial plans for Christopher are pending. More information will be posted to the Harvest website as details become available. You may pass along condolences and thoughts for the Laurie family by posting a comment on Pastor Greg's blog by clicking here.

In lieu of flowers, Harvest Christian Fellowship has established the Christopher Laurie Memorial Fund in memory of our friend, co-worker, family member, and brother in Christ. Proceeds from the fund will go to Brittany Laurie, Stella Laurie, and the soon-to-be daughter in order to assist them financially.

To make a donation to the Christopher Laurie Memorial Fund, you may make a credit card donation by clicking here. You can also make out a check to Harvest Christian Fellowship with the notation "Christopher Laurie Memorial Fund" on the memo line.

Personal Revolution: A Teaching on Revival

Churchgoers often lack a world view. We see our religion as being within four walls on Sunday morning. We fail to think about the reason why we are saved -- to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world! Most churches have annual revivals. These are week-long church services that typically have a theme of spiritual renewal. The problem is... in my experience... the renewal lasts no longer than the end of the service.

Some think of revival as an annual week of worship services. I see it as more. I consider revival to be something we should engage in on a daily basis. Why? Because sin occurs in our lives on a daily basis. And the need to share the gospel is in front of us on a daily basis.

Sin Occurs in Our Lives on a Daily Basis

I remember being on vacation... alone in a new city. While exploring the area surrounding my hotel, I noticed that there were a plethora of... shall we say... sinful establishments. Well, a man of God should not even consider going into such a place -- but I did. Why? That old sin nature comes creeping back when we least expect it. At first, I blew it off and continued with sightseeing. But after driving past several times... I had to stop and go inside to see what was what.

It didn’t take long before I found myself taking a trip to the spiritual woodshed... the Holy Spirit awakened me to my “Casual Christian” behavior and warned me to straighten up and fly right. I was grateful that the Lord caught me before I fell completely over the deep end -- and I marveled at how easy it was for me to dip my toe into the water and then take a big belly flop into the center of the pool!

The Lord reminded me that satan never sleeps... and his demons are continually working to get us to fall asleep spiritually so that our flesh can have its way. Now I understand the reason why the Lord Jesus said:

And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [[a]disown himself, [b]forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, [c]refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [[d]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [[e]from the penalty of eternal death].

Luke 9:23-24 (Amplified Bible)

Denying ourselves can be something as simple as giving up food or television for a season... or shutting in to seek God in prayer and study of His word. But I believe that we also need to deny those sins and weights that so easily beset us. To deny ourselves is to die to self. As Jesus died on the cross, we must take up our cross (spiritually speaking) and die to the lusts and sins and hatred and anger and temper tantrums that so easily beset us. And, as Jesus said in Luke chapter nine, it is something that should be done DAILY.

The Need to Share the Gospel Daily

Taking up our cross on a daily basis is necessary because we encounter temptation on a daily basis. It is also necessary because we encounter people every day and, for some, it may be their last moment on earth. I watched the execution of Saddam Hussein and thought --- wow, his soul is now in eternity. Whatever state he was in when that rope went around his neck, that will be the state in which he stands before the Almighty.

Not every person will walk handcuffed and shackled to a gallows. Some people will lay down and never rise again. Others will get into their automobile and wind up on a slab with a toe tag. Regardless of whether they live for a minute or a decade or more... they need to know about Jesus. We should be diligent to pray for boldness to not only tell them but also to show them by our lifestyles.

When I notice how easily a lie will slip out of my mouth... that is when I go before the Lord and pray Psalm 39:1 and Psalm 141:3-4. When I notice my temper flaring or my eyes wandering, I will seek the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit and pray Psalm 19:13-14 and Psalm 51:10-11. I want people to see Jesus in my actions... to hear Jesus in my words... and to feel Jesus as they interact with me.

We Die So That We May Live

It is very important for us to die to ourselves - to die to selfishness - so that we can be alive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. As we die to self, we die to sin. And we are alive to fulfilling God’s plan for this world.

How often do we shrink away from God because we fear that He will ask us something that we don’t want to do. I am reminded of a Christian Comedy song “Please Don’t Send Me to Africa” by Scott Wesley Brown:

O Lord I’m your willing servant
You know that I have been for years
I’m here in this pew every Sunday and Wednesday
I’ve stained it with many a tear
I’ve given you years of my service
I’ve always given my best
And I’ve never asked you for anything much
So Lord I deserve this request

Please don’t send me to Africa
I don’t think I’ve got what it takes
I’m just a man, I’m not a Tarzan
Don’t like lions, or rivers, or snakes
I’ll serve you here in suburbia
In my comfortable middle class life
But please don’t send me out in the bush
Where the natives are restless at night

I’ll see that the money is gathered
I’ll see that the money is sent
I’ll wash and stack the communion cups
I’ll tithe 11 percent
I’ll volunteer for the nursery
I’ll go on the youth retreat
I’ll usher, I’ll deacon, I’ll go door to door
Just let me keep warming this seat

Sometimes, that is the case. But we should not fear the leading and guidance from Above. I recall the story of a woman who was called to the mission field but she prayed that the Lord first give her a husband. Finally, she gave in to God’s will and went... only to find the man of her dreams was there on the mission field awaiting her arrival. Going overseas was not an imposition for this young woman. It was a great blessing. She just had to have her attitude adjusted.

Serving God is not a prison sentence. Don’t believe the lie that you should have fun first... and then lay it all down and serve God. The fact is, you will have the most fun and achieve the highest satisfaction when you are committed and submitted into the service of the King. After all, didn’t Jesus Himself tell us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light?

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([a]relief and ease and refreshment and [b]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.(A) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [c]good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Matthew 11:29-30 (Amplified Bible)

The Myth of the Bacardi Party

God is not the way the world portrays Him. The world wants you to think that the devil gives you fun with parties... drunkenness... and “sexual freedom.” But John 10:10 tells us that the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came that we might have and enjoy life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows. But why do people believe the opposite?

Look at the television commercials where people are having so much fun partying with their beer and wine coolers. The commercials fail to show those folks hour later, with their face in the toilet after puking their guts out.

Then, we see the advertisements that show people having so much fun smoking cigarettes. Forget the fact that the first puff will make you go blind for a second as your lungs clamp shut and your body goes into coughing convulsions. Eventually you’ll get use to it... at least, until they have to go in and remove a lung.

It is true that parties may be fun... until you look at your wallet and realize you have spent all your money. Getting drunk may be fun until the hangover comes. Having lots of sex without restriction may be fun until the doctor gives you a diagnosis of HIV positive.

God has a better plan for your life

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 (Amplified Bible)

In the Four Spiritual Laws, we learn that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We should add a fifth law. The devil hates you and has a horrible plan for your life! This would debunk the myth of the Bacardi party!

The Price of Freedom

God only wants you to have and enjoy life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows (see John 10:10). However, there is a price to pay.

We must be willing to live the life of holiness that He requires. And remember, it is not a heavy burden but, rather, freedom. Yet, for freedom to be born into your life... for anything to be born for that matter... there is labor. Our labor is to repent from our sins, our selfishness, our hatred and anger and desire for revenge. When our heart is broken before God, He will surely hear us.

My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:17 AMP)

This means that we can’t be like religious hypocrites who stick their noses in the air and feel “holier than thou.” These are people who feel that they can march right into heaven and God will slap them on the back and say, “Atta boy!” No... we should maintain a humble, broken and contrite spirit as we realize how far we fall from God’s commands. Just like when I was tempted to go back and visit some of the things of the flesh... I had to turn away from that and humbly submit to the commandments of the Lord.

For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things have come into being [by and for Me], says the Lord. But this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands.

Isaiah 66:2 (Amplified Bible)

Humble Spirit Brings God Closer to You

When we humble ourselves, God sees and hears us. He has regard toward us.

For thus says the high and lofty One--He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, but with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent [bruised with sorrow for sin].

Isaiah 57:15 (Amplified Bible)

God not only dwells billions of miles away in the heavens... he also is Jehovah Shammah, the God who is right there with the one who is of a thoroughly penitent heart. Do you have a humble and penitent heart? Then God is right with you at this very moment!

If you humble yourself and have an attitude of sorrow for your sins, God dwells with you. Read Psalm 91 to see all of the wonderful benefits of dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.

Humble Spirit Brings Blessings to You

Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied, and [b]spiritually prosperous--[c]with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!

Matthew 5:3 (Amplified Bible)

When we have that daily revival, we will find ourselves blessed, happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation -- regardless of the outward conditions of life. This happens when we humble ourselves... come down from our “holier than thou” high towers... and realize that we are sinful flesh, earthen vessels, in need of a Savior.

However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

2^nd Corinthians 4:7 (Amplified Bible)

How is God glorified? By our transcending our human weakness and frailness to be vessels of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. Make it a point every day to get yourself right with God, and then be always ready to share the Gospel with others.