W.O.R.D.

Mature Christian Thinking

2011-05-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

PHIL. 3:15-16 Mature Christian Thinking

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

To Mind is not just mental attention, but thought and life regulated by a given perspective.
...Literal translation of verse 16 "Only to what you have attained with the same keep in line"

I have been so taken and encouraged and convicted by these two verses in the context of this passage. There is Exhortation and Consolation. We have much to thank and praise God for Maturing us in spiritual things. And if we are not there yet God will not leave us in the dark. We began by trusting Christ and we must continue to trust Christ. He is our ALL in ALL.

Nothing like Expositional Preaching

Twelve Reasons Why Membership Matters

2011-05-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

I have heard many say, I don't have to go to church to be a Christian. I believe this is true because it is not what you do to become a Christian. It is what Christ has done for you. While going to church is certainly not a cause for salvation I do believe it is an evidence for salvation. Church membership is essential in the life of a believer. Jonathan Leeman does a great job of expressing this very fact.

By Jonathan Leeman
(The following is excerpted from Jonathan Leeman’s forthcoming book Why Church Membership? from Crossway, 2012).

1) It’s biblical. Jesus established the local church and all the apostles did their ministry through it. The Christian life in the New Testament is church life. Christians today should expect and desire the same.

2) The church is its members. To be “a church” in the New Testament is to be one of its members (read through Acts). And you want to be part of the church because that’s who Jesus came to rescue and reconcile to himself.

3) It’s a pre-requisite for the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a meal for the gathered church, that is, for members (1 Cor. 11:20, 33). And you want to take the Lord’s Supper. It’s the team “jersey” which makes the church team visible to the nations.

4) It’s how to officially represent Jesus. Membership is the church’s affirmation that you are a citizen of Christ’s kingdom and therefore a card-carrying Jesus Representative before the nations. And you want to be an official Jesus Representative. Closely related to this…

5) It’s how to declare one’s highest allegiance. Your membership on the team, which becomes visible when you wear the “jersey,” is a public testimony that your highest allegiance belongs to Jesus. Trials and persecution may come, but your only words are, “I am with Jesus.”

6) It’s how to embody and experience biblical images. It’s within the accountability structures of the local church that Christians live out or embody what it means to be the “body of Christ,” the “temple of the Spirit,” the “family of God,” and so on for all the biblical metaphors (see 1 Cor. 12). And you want to experience the interconnectivity of his body, the spiritual fullness of his temple, and the safety and intimacy and shared identity of his family.

7) It’s how to serve other Christians. Membership helps you to know which Christians on Planet Earth you are specifically responsible to love, serve, warn, and encourage. It enables you to fulfill your biblical responsibilities to Christ’s body (for example, see Eph. 4:11-16; 25-32).

8) It’s how to follow Christian leaders. Membership helps you to know which Christian leaders on Planet Earth you are called to obey and follow. Again, it allows you to fulfill your biblical responsibility to them (Heb. 13:7; 17).

9) It helps Christian leaders lead. Membership lets Christian leaders know which Christians on Planet Earth they will “give an account” for (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2).

10) It enables church discipline. It gives you the biblically prescribed place to participate in the work of church discipline responsibly, wisely, and lovingly (1 Cor. 5).

11) It gives structure to the Christian life. It places an individual Christian’s claim to “obey” and “follow” Jesus into a real-life setting where authority is actually exercised over us (John 14:15; 1 John 2:19; 4:20-21).

12) It builds a witness and invites the nations. Membership puts the alternative rule of Christ on display for the watching universe (Matt. 5:13; John 13:34-35; Eph. 3:10; 1 Peter 2:9-12). The very boundaries which are drawn around the membership of a church yields a society of people which invites the nations to something better.

When Should a Christian Leave a Church? (Part 1)

2011-04-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

by John G. Reisinger

The following article is written primarily for Reformed Baptists only because that is the group with which I have been identified for over twenty years. There are Brethren Assemblies, Presbyterian, Independent, and Charismatic churches, as well as other types of Baptists, that clearly fit the description given in these pages.

Many who read this will say, "none of those things could ever happen in my church." You may be surprised! If you have a truly Godly pastor, these things will not happen regardless of how wrong your view of Elder authority may be. However, if your system is that held by many Reformed Baptists, you have a ready made situation for these same things to happen in your church at a later date with another pastor.

A good man in a bad system will not misuse his authority. A good system can deal with a bad man and get rid of him. A bad man in a bad system is an untouchable pope simply because he is protected by the system. He may be the worst of tyrants, but nothing can be done by anyone. A sincere sheep has only one option in such a case.

I recently preached at the First John Bunyan Conference on the subject of law and grace. About fifty people attended from various places and nearly all of them had recently left a church with a heavy "law ministry" where the Elders were the "Lords and Masters" of the Assembly. Many of these dear people had helped to start the very church they had recently been forced to leave. They had watched a warm hearted fellowship of believers become what Spurgeon called "a better representative of the law than of the gospel." There were three things that seemed to be true in the recent experience of each of these people.

(1) The "law ministry" they had been under had robbed them totally of the joy of their salvation. It is amazing how many preachers believe it is a sin to be genuinely happy in the Lord. They think a believer has to squirm like a worm under every sermon and go home feeling depressed and miserable in order to be sure that he heard "the whole counsel of God."

(2) These people noticed a marked change in their marriage relationship when they got out from under legalism and fear. One brother said, "My wife and I have never loved each other so much. Our home and marriage has changed radically since we left our former church." How can it be otherwise? A "worm theology" must produce a "mud hole" home. If you cannot smile and rejoice in church with the saints, how can you do so at home with your family?

In a few extreme cases, a pastor had deliberately placed himself between the husband and wife and was using his pastoral authority as a means of manipulating them both into personal loyalty to himself. If either the husband or wife became in any way critical of the church or his ministry, the pastor would "counsel" the other mate to put pressure on the first one to repent. This was done on the ground that "your mate's soul is in danger" because they were daring to question God's "duly authorized" minister. One dear Christian lady was under such pressure to force her husband to submit to the pastor's authority that she felt she was being torn in half. She told someone, "I feel like I must choose between the two most important men in my life." The person wisely answered, "God never intended you to have two men in your life in any sense where you had to make a choice between them."

My friend, if your loyalty to, or dependence upon, any preacher ever comes close to being equal to your loyalty and love to your husband or wife, then you are so sick spiritually that you can't think straight.

(3) These people all had a new desire to witness the amazing love of Christ to poor sinners the moment they themselves began to experience again that love in their own hearts. How can it be otherwise if "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"? If your salvation does not thrill your heart with joy, why would you want to share it? If all you have is doubts and fears, then that is all you can share with others. If all you do is sit in the corner and lick your wounds after examining your heart to "find evidences of true holiness," how can it be possible for you to be thrilled with the Saviour and His amazing love?

In no sense am I suggesting that we should never examine our hearts. We are fools of the worst kind if we do not heed the exhortations in the Scriptures to do that very thing. Psalm 139:23, 24 and 2 Corinthians 13:5 are just as true today as when they were written. For me to be unwilling to examine myself as these verses command is to prove that I am probably a deceived hypocrite. Only a hypocrite is afraid of examining himself. We must examine our heart and we must feel our sin and guilt. However, we must always see Christ as greater than our sin and our guilt! McCheyne was right when he said, "Take one good look at your heart, and then take ten thousand looks at Christ."

Spurgeon has given us a description that, sad to say, fits some present day churches. He was preaching on the "Full Assurance of Faith" and answering common objections made by people who feel that full assurance can be dangerous. He sounds like he has just finished arguing with some "law centered" elders that I know.

I have one more class of objectors to answer and I am finished. There is a certain breed of Calvinist, whom I do not envy, who are always jeering and sneering as much as ever they can at the full assurance of faith. I have seen their long faces; I have heard their whining periods, and read their dismal sentences, in which they say something to the effect - "Groan in the Lord always, and again I say, groan! He that mourneth and weepeth, he that doubted and feareth, he that distrusteth and dishonoureth his God, shall be saved." That seems to be the sum and substance of their very ungospel-like gospel. But why is it they do this? I speak now honestly and fearlessly. It is because there is a pride within them - a conceit which is fed on rottenness, and sucks marrow and fatness out of putrid carcasses. And what, say you, is the object of their pride? Why, the pride of being able to boast of a deep experience - the pride of being a blacker, grosser, and more detestable sinner than other people. "Whose glory is in their shame," may well apply to them. A more dangerous, because a more deceitful pride than this is not to be found. It has all the elements of self-righteousness in it."

From "Full Assurance" by C. H. Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 1861, p. 292.

My first message at the conference I mentioned was on "John Bunyan and the Law." I was covering the section in Pilgrim's Progress where Christian was pulled out of the Slough of Despond by a man named Help. I used the following quotation and was quite surprised at the response from those listening:

"Help is one of the King's officers who are planted all along the way to the Celestial city, in order to assist and counsel all pilgrims. Evangelist was one of these officers; this Help was another; Goodwill will be another, unless, indeed, he is more than a mere officer; Interpreter will be another, and Greatheart, and so on. All these are preachers and pastors and evangelists who correspond to all those names and all their offices. Only some unhappy preachers are better at pushing poor pilgrims into the slough, and pushing them down to the bottom of it, than they are at helping a sinking pilgrim get out..." Bunyan's Characters, by Alexander Whyte, Volume I, page 48.

When I read the above quotation, nearly every person looked at the person sitting next to him, grinned from ear to ear, and nodded his head in agreement. After the session one person said, "John, you understated it. When we tried to pull ourselves out of the Slough, our pastor would step on our fingers." A lady standing nearby said, "Our preacher did not step on our fingers, he used a sledge hammer."

John Newton was dead right in that great hymn when he said, "It was Grace that taught my heart to Fear," but he did not stop there. He went on to show that Grace my fear relieved." Let no one ever down play the need to fear the wrath of God against sin. It is most gracious of God to convict us and make us feel our guilt and shame. One of the distinct purposes for which the blessed Holy Spirit was given is to "convict of sin." We can never be saved until we know, feel, and admit that we are guilty before God. It was the grace of God that made Pilgrim feel so afraid that he was forced to flee from the city of destruction.

I am fully aware that many preachers do not preach either the holy character of God or His holy demands upon us, and thus they never reveal the awful guilt and corruption that must be exposed. No one has endeavored to expose this horrible distortion of the gospel more than I have. I freely admit that the accusations of the Old Testament prophets can be leveled justly against many evangelical preachers in the land today.

They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace. Jer. 6:14

Because they lead my people astray, saying "peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall...Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. I will tear down the wall you have covered with white wash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord. So I will send my wrath against that wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace," declares the Sovereign Lord! Ezek. 13:10-16

Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel are talking about what we today would call "easy believism." It can only produce a false wall of assurance. They are condemning preachers who do not preach the need for Biblical repentance. Their gospel only tells about the "good things" and the "love of God." These preachers never talk about the punishment of sin and the holy wrath of God against sin. They even go further and label any preacher who teaches "hard things" as being a false prophet. The people who listen to such preachers must be warned in the same manner Jeremiah and Ezekiel warned the people of Israel. People need to be told that their cheap assurance will be destroyed by God's wrath. They, like all sinners, want a religion without pain or sacrifice and a God who is all love and no wrath. Unfortunately, the preacher of "easy believism" gives them exactly what they want.

We insist that Newton was right in his hymn. It is God's grace that brings our conscience to fear His awesome wrath and drives us to a Saviour for mercy. We totally reject both the false prophet and his message of "easy believism." However, easy believism is not a problem in any of the churches that I have been describing! The problem in these churches is the exact opposite. They don't preach enough of any kind of believism. They seem to be as much afraid of joyous assurance as the easy believist is afraid of searching his heart.

John Newton did not stop with the words "T'was grace that taught my heart to fear." The next line is just as true as his first line. "T'was grace my fears relieved." The amazing grace that Newton loved did not leave men under the fear of the law and its judgement. Bunyan's Slough of Despond was neither a necessary experience (remember Pilgrim was chided for not walking on the stones) nor is it to be a continual experience. Christiania and her children did not fall into the Slough, and even Mr. Fearing had enough spiritual sense to walk on the stones and not fall in. If you are wallowing in such a Slough and bragging about a "deep work of God" in your soul, you are nothing but a self righteous hypocrite braying like a donkey and showing your spiritual ignorance. I suggest you get the taped message on Bunyan and the Law. I believe it will help you.

The grace of God that leads to true fear also leads to true peace. If John Newton had preached like the present day apostles of law, poor William Cowper would have committed suicide every week. The preaching of the law that sends believers home week after week with a despondent and despairing heart is just as opposed to God's truth as is the preaching condemned by the OT prophets in the passages quoted above. The preacher whose congregation is not truly happy in the Lord and yet at the same time is proud of its ability to endure his constant "heart searching preaching" is as much a false prophet as the preacher of easy believism. He has merely distorted the gospel in a different direction.

I would like to put the following words by Horatius Bonar in large letters over the head of both the legalist preacher and his opposite, or counter part, the antinomian preacher:

The way of peace and the way of holiness lies side by side; rather they are one. That which bestows the peace imparts the holiness; and he who takes the one takes the other also. The spirit of peace is the spirit of holiness. The God of peace is the God of holiness.

If at any time these paths seem to go asunder, there must be something wrong - wrong in the teaching that makes them seem to part company, or wrong in the state of the man in whose life they have done so....

The two are not independent. There is vital fellowship between them, with each being the helpmeet of the other... The peace is indispensable to the production or causation of the holiness, and the holiness is indispensable to the maintaining and deepening of the peace.

He who affirms that he has peace, while living in sin, is "a liar, and the truth is not in him." He who thinks that he has holiness, though he has no peace, ought to question himself whether he understands aright what the bible means by either the one or the other. As the essence of holiness is the soul's right state toward God, it does not seem possible that a man can be holy so long as there is no conscious reconciliation between God and him. There may be a spurious holiness founded upon a spurious peace or upon no peace at all. But true holiness must start from a true and authentic peace.

From: God's Way of Holiness, by Horatius Bonar, Moody Press, page 7,8

The "easy believe" preachers have separated peace and holiness by offering peace without repentance and without demanding that true holiness follow a profession of faith and a claim of assurance. The "obey the law" preachers have also separated peace and holiness by urging holiness as the only safe ground upon which to build the peace of assurance of salvation. They try to produce peace of conscience by holy living. The first group believes that holy living is not essentially connected to peace and the second group believes that a conscious peace can be attained only by obedience to the law. I disagree with both groups and agree with Bonar in his entire statement, especially in the following areas:

(1) Peace and holiness cannot be separated from each other. They are two distinct parts of one whole. You cannot have one without the other. True holiness and a valid assurance of salvation cannot be separated from one another. Most "obey the law" preachers would wholeheartedly agree with that statement, but most of them will also deny it by their lopsided preaching. You have no more Biblical right to be talking about "holiness" if you are not consciously sure of your peace, than you have the right to be boasting about "assurance" if you are living in sin. One of these mistakes is just as bad as the other one.

(2) Our argument today is NOT over whether you can have true peace without also having true holiness attending it. We all wholeheartedly agree that such a possibility is contrary to the very heart of the gospel in both its message and results. Grace makes men holy! Titus 2:11-13 settles that question forever. I have never questioned that fact in the least. "He who affirms that he has peace, while living in sin is a liar, and the truth is not in him" is the message I have preached, do preach, and shall preach as long as I live. Our argument, like Bonar's, is that you cannot have true holiness without first having true peace with God in your conscience. "He who thinks he has holiness, though he has no peace, ought to question himself whether he understands aright what the Bible means by either the one or the other" is also the same message that I preach. The first part of the message gets me in trouble with the antinomians and the second part gets me into worse trouble with the legalist.

The legalist binds your conscience to the law in a manner that makes assurance of salvation and real joy nearly impossible, and the more sincere and conscientious you are, the more difficulty you will have with assurance. If you are one of those dear souls that is earnestly "striving to be holy" in order to find real heart felt assurance, then in Bonar's words, you do not understand either Biblical holiness or true assurance. Your theology has been warped by legalistic preaching.

(3) Our main difference with many Reformed Baptist preachers is not over the necessity of holiness in the life of a true child of God; we agree with them that this holiness is essential. Our disagreement is over how that holiness is produced. I believe the Scriptures lead God's sheep into true holy living by making Christ Himself precious to their hearts. Some of my Reformed Baptist brethren believe that the sheep are led to true peace by whipping them with the law every week. That is the heart of the present law/grace controversy. A pastor's wife told a friend of mine, "We need to be constantly whipped into submission by the law or else our sins will conquer us." That approach is exactly opposite to the theme of Bonar's book and also contrary to the consistent teaching of the Apostle Paul.

Bonar's statement that "peace is indispensable to the production or causation of the holiness" is the foundation of my position and preaching. The foundation of all legalistic preaching is the exact opposite. The goal of a legalist's preaching is to make people feel holy enough so that they then might dare to believe that they are finally acceptable in God's sight. The basic premise of the legalist is that the rod of the law is the only God ordained way to whip the sheep into shape. The feeling of genuine acceptance with God will only come when you can examine yourself and your obedience and "feel" that all is well because you passed the test. The legalist puts the law into the Christian's conscience as his judge in such a way that a sheep has no right to feel "secure in Christ" until his daily life can "pass inspection" by the "holy Law of God." This horrible distortion of both the Law and the Gospel can only lead to either constant despair and doubt on the one hand, or self-righteous conceit on the other hand, and both of these states or conditions are enemies of the sovereign grace of God.

If some who are legalist revile me and my friends and say, "That is what we also believe," I can only respond, "Brother, the content of 95% of your messages as well as the look on your face and tone of your voice as you preach sure does not prove it!" If preachers really believe (1) that the law cannot sanctify or justify, and that (2) only the preaching of the cross can produce true Biblical holiness, then why are the sheep under their ministry sent home nearly every week so badly beaten and bleeding? Why are the marks of Moses' rod on their backs so visible and the fruits of the spirit so conspicuous by their absence? Do these preachers believe that the majority of their congregation are "hypocrites" that need to have their "lost estate" exposed instead of sheep that need to be fed? These preachers clearly use, or misuse, the law in a manner that indicates most, if not all, of their hearers are lost hypocrites.

Let me say again that I abominate the message of "easy believism" and all of its attendant evils, but I must also repeat that easy believism is not a problem in the churches I am describing. The problem in these churches is that there is not enough "only believe" and too much "obey the law or else you will be damned." These is too much Moses and the law covenant's threat and not enough Christ and the grace covenant's blessing of forgiveness.

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My Aim of the Knowledge of Christ

2011-04-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

I have been preaching through the book of Philippians on Sunday mornings. I have really been going at a slow pace. My desire is for the people in our church to have a good solid handle of the book. Exposition of Scripture requires prayerful and careful examination in order to communicate the authorial intent and not my input. I must look it up and dig it up not make it up. I could take bigger chunks just to get through the book but I have found it helpful to me and the congregation to clearly see the flow of thouhts that are being commuincated. There are major bible doctrines taught throughout the book that need to be clearly understood to help establish God's people in His Word so that they not be tossed arounded by every wind of doctrine that blows about. My aim is for the people of God to learn to recognize and agree with sound biblical preaching and not with smoothe sounding preachers. There is much that sounds good that is not sound preaching. I do not write this to belittle others and elevate myself. I am just conscious of my standing before God to give an account of my own stewardship. II Tim. 4:1 Here is my outlines for the verses I have been dealing with. Sundays message The Fuition of the Knowledge of Christ. Please pray for my efforts to make clear the Gospel of God's Free and Sovereign Grace.

Philippians 3:10-11
v. 10 The Focus of the Knowledge of Christ - that I might know HIM - The Person of Christ.

The Framework of the Knowledge of Christ - and the power of His resurrection and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death - The Redemptive Activity of Christ.

v. 11 The Fuition of the Knowledge of Christ - that by any means possible i may attain the resurrection from the dead - The Resurrection of Christ

Is a Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Necessary for Easter to Have Validity? Pt.2

2011-04-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Dr. Mcswain:The hardest thing in life for me -- and I suspect the same is true of most people -- is staying here and now. So this is my daily spiritual practice. And when I do this, I've discovered a kind of resurrection all it's own -- a resurrection within my attitudes, my actions, as well as my sense of inner peace. At times, this inner peace is so wonderful, I could not imagine anything MORE wonderful beyond this life. So what I'm saying is something similar to what my favorite French writer, who is also an atheist, Andre' Comte-Sponville said. In one of his books, he asked, "Why would I want eternal life when I'm experiencing it already?"

Keelan: Ummm……… his favorite writer is an atheist?

Dr. Mcswain: There was at time in my life when I would not have understood what he was saying at all. But ever since that moment I describe in my book, I now get it. This is the miracle of the resurrection to me. It is this Jesus whose life, influence and teachings, when practiced, so transform today that there is little interest in you for yesterday or tomorrow. This is a resurrected Jesus I can relate to -- and I do.

Keelan: Jesus is not who we want him to be He is who He says he is. Many create their own Jesus, the one they can relate to. If one says he is going to do something (resurrection bodily) and he doesn’t he is a LIAR. If one says he will do something (resurrection bodily) and knows he has no capability of doing it He is a LUNATIC. If one says he will do something (resurrection bodily) and does it he is LORD. I lean to the latter perception of Jesus Christ. I have not read his book so I have no idea what he is talking about here. Personally I don’t think he does either. The Gospel is not Be like Jesus. It is Receive Jesus.
Based of what I have heard in this article, I would not encourage anyone to read his book. Much of what I discern he is rooted in Secular Humanism. His views are not Christian by any means.

Dr. Mcswain: And this is precisely the second reason why the Easter story need not be literal to have transformative power. My own experience gives witness to this. For example, when I tried to believe the things I was told to believe and that questioning my beliefs was a sign of weakness and lack of faith, I tried to conform. For much of my adult life, I ignored my questions and said silly things like, "The Bible says it, I believe it; that settles it." But then, a death in my family, as well as the death of a marriage and a few other traumatic things, caused that weak foundation to give way. My life shattered. So did my fragile faith. I realized I could no longer ignore my doubts or my questions. So, I let them rip. But, amazingly, what I discovered is, instead of being obstacles, they became the building blocks of a resurrection faith.

Keelan: Faith is the gift of God. Man is his natural depraved state will never believe God on his own. The natural man does not accept the not things of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (Eph. 2:8-9, I Cor. 2:14)

Apostle Paul said of Israel, Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. They are guilty of INSUBORDINATION. They want submit to God’s plan so the develop their own. (Rom. 10:1-3)

Dr. Mcswain: You can delude yourself into believing that questioning things is a lack of faith. But I would be inclined to remind you that until you DO question your faith, you really have no faith at all. What you have instead is a collection of beliefs -- beliefs that a frightened little ego in you will cling to for a sense of security and identity with other little egos that cling to a similar set of beliefs -- but these beliefs will not translate into personal inner transformation. They will not sustain you through life either. They didn't for me. It was not until I questioned and doubted the things I was taught, including the bodily resurrection of Jesus, that I met, and believed -- or, fell in love with -- a genuine and believable Jesus whose teachings, whose enduring spirit, and whose eternal influence continues to guide seekers into a transformative relationship with themselves and with the Divine. So, this Easter, I have a lot to be grateful for. And, I am.

Keelan: Certainly there are times when even a Christian question things and even doubt, however this is not a call to create a Jesus of their liking. The goal is not make God come to my frame of thinking but for me to be brought to the place of His thinking. My failure to understand why God does what he does in my life is not a call for God to change but for me to submit and trust in the fact that he is God and I am not. Does the clay shape the potter or the potter shape the clay? God is Sovereign He does what he wants when he wants and to whom he wants all in keeping with his nature and purpose and no one can stay his hand. We can write our own bibles but we can’t rewrite THE BIBLE. Many say God said it I believe and that settles it, but the truth is GOD SAID and THAT SETTLES IT. My belief only has impact me not what God says. For God’s Word will not come back void but shall accomplish what He purposes. Any attempt to celebrate an Easter without the Bodily Resurrected Christ is invain.

Conclusion.........By Pastor Keelan A. Atkinson

Church we must have spiritual discernment. This will not take place without sound biblically teaching from our pulpits in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastors we must give time to prayer and the study of God's Word. Pastors we must get away from the entertaining style of preaching and start feeding the people of God good solid bible doctrine. There is too much focus on how a man says it and not on what he says. We are agreeing with preachers and not preaching. God is going to hold us accountable for every word we speak. It is time out for wanting to be popular. Popular and preaching don't go together.

God has called us to speak for Him not for the people nor ourselves. May God grant us discernment to know the truth from error. May He gives us discernment about what institutions we send our young preachers and children. Many of them are prestige in name but are only instrumental in the destruction of their faith.

Philippians 1:27-28
For His Glory In All Things

Is a Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Necessary for Easter to Have Validity? Pt.1

2011-04-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is an article I pulled from a friends face book page. We as Christians must get rid of our biblical illiteracy and become rooted and grounded in our faith. Dr. Steven Mcswain is some distinguished professor of religion, claims to be a Christian. Run from this name saints!I am not sure where he teaches. I know he is speaking at many churches across the country. My friend is a student at Harvard. Many of these prestige institutions are confusing and leading people into major doctrinal errors as it relates to Christianity. I have incuded my statements in the atricle to help you see his errors. Please read this prayerfully and carefully. I will have pt. II tomorrow.

Is a Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Necessary for Easter to Have Validity? Pt.1

Soon, millions of Christians will gather to celebrate Easter. For many of them, the literal, not merely metaphorical, resurrection of Jesus -- that is, a bodily resuscitation -- is necessary for any of it to have validity.

Is this necessary? Does the resurrection need the resuscitation of Jesus' body to have any transformative significance in the 21st century?

Keelan:I say it does for me. The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event to occur in the history of man-kind. The Christian faith hangs on the very hinges of the resurrection. This doctrine is one of the most important doctrines of the Bible. I will go a step further and say that the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a fundamental and foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. If Jesus did not rise from the dead bodily, then we have no faith and Christianity is no better than any other cult or false religion in the world. Paul said in 1 Cor. 15:14, "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." Three verses later, in verse 17, he again says, "and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins."

Though there are many subjects with which Christians may disagree and still are considered Christian, this is not one of them. To deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus is to deny the heart of Christianity itself. The reason I stress the word bodily or physical is because simply put a "resurrection" of the dead (Matthew 22:30-31; Luke 14:14; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) is to imply physicality. That is what a resurrection is. The Bible has no categories for the concept of a resurrected body that remains dead and physically lying in a grave.

Dr. Mcswain: It doesn't for me. Although, like many other Christians, I grew up being taught that on the third day after his crucifixion Jesus' body, which was wrapped and buried in a tomb, miraculously came back to life, and he wiggled out of his clothes, got up and walked out. When I got a little older, I began to question both the validity of this version of the story and the necessity of a physical "come-back-to-life" miracle in what we now know as Easter.
Keelan: I believe one has the right to question the validity of what is told to them; however the standard of the test of all Christian subjects must be the Word of God. Any test that does not and an Absolute Standard is merely speculation.

Dr. Mcswain: Today, I think the significance of Easter is more metaphorical than literal. Few theologians have helped better articulate what I've felt and thought for years than Marcus Borg. If you have not read his book, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, I think you would find it inspiring reading. Believable too. It's a bit dated now, but if you've ever wondered how to make more logical sense of your Christian experience than the explanations you were taught as a child, this is a pretty good book to read to enhance your Easter experience.

Keelan: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a documented historical fact. Something that Paul points out in 1 Cor. 15:5-8. We have the testimony of Peter, Paul, all the disciples and of over 500 brethren who all saw the risen Lord on one occasion. The resurrection is documented in the Bible, Luke 24; John 20-21; Matt. 28; Mark 16; Acts 1:3, etc. There are our secular resources as well such Historian Josephus. Not only is it an historical fact it is a Present Reality that holds the Christian Faith it tact. Christ is not metaphorically alive He is actually alive forever making intercession for His people (Heb. 7:5)

It is interesting that for such a serious subject, Dr. Mcswain endorses Marcus Borg’s book any never endorses the bible. I wonder why? What do he believe about the bible? Well here is what

Marcus Borg believes:
Borg advocates entering into relationship with God as more important than belief about God. He has a panentheist understanding of God, which sees God as both indwelling in everything and transcendent.[6] He teaches that a historical-metaphorical approach to the Bible is more meaningful for today's world than is the historical-grammatical approach or that of biblical literalism. He also distinguishes between the pre-Easter Jesus, who was a Jewish mystic and the founder of Christianity, and the post-Easter Jesus who is a divine reality that Christians can still experience personally.

Borg does not believe that the Bible has to be taken literally if it is to be taken seriously, an idea he develops in his book Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, subtitled Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally. He claims that truths can be found in the many messages and metaphors of the Bible stories even though he states that such stories may not have actually happened at all. Rather than asking what the events in certain New Testament stories actually were, he challenges his audience with another question, 'What effect must this man (Not GOD MAN) Jesus have had on the people he came into contact with for so many rich stories to have been written about him after his life?' (Wikipedia Biography)

Dr. Mcswain: Why have I come to believe the resurrection story is more metaphorical than literal?

Well, the most obvious reason is, it's more believable. Maybe it's easy for you to live in a mythical, magical world of make-believe (and, if so, so be it), but I cannot. I've conducted too many funerals in my lifetime, walked through too many stone-cold cemeteries and stood beside too many grieving souls (my own included) whose family members had gone the way that we all will go -- the way of death -- to believe anything other than death is pretty fatal and pretty final. You can pretend all you'd like that it isn't so. Dress up the altar with lilies and sing as loud as you can "Up From the Grave He Arose." But, one day, you'll discover for yourself that all the pretending in the world won't keep you from going to the grave. You will die, just as I will die.

Keelan: The Christian Life is rooted in faith, God given faith (Rom. 10:17). Everything that is not of faith is SIN (Rom. 14:23). So anything that is not believable in the bible we shouldn’t believe? Sounds like I’m the standard of what is true. This is Post-Modernism to the core – the denial of Absolute Truth. Truth is not only subjective but it is also objective. My experiences don’t determine what is true. Who is living in the world of make-believe? Yes death is real and it is fatal but death doesn’t have the final say, God does. We do hurt over the lost of love ones. Death is the terrible result of sin. However, God has not left us ignorant on this matter.

I Thes. 4:13-18
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep (dead), that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep (died in Christ). 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,4 that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (fatal but not final) 17 Then we who are alive, ( all will not experience death) who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Hallelujah for the LAMB!!!!!! Someone is not reading their Bible or don’t believe the Bible.

Dr. Mcswain: Now, that does not mean that I have given up believing in something after death. I have not. I can't prove there's life after death. I'm pretty sure no one has proven there is nothing either. For me, I prefer to imagine something goes on beyond this life and that, whatever that something is, it's all good. I can get real metaphorical about it, too. But, the fact is, I don't think much about life beyond death, I've got too much to ponder now. And, it's infinitely more meaningful to me than either the past or the future. I suspect this is because, whenever I think about either the past or the future, I'm either regretting something I've done or worrying about something I'm getting ready to do.

Keelan: Christians don’t believe something we believe the Lord and His Word. Christians are intelligent articulate and kind people (I Pet. 3:15). We don’t believe something we know and should be prepared to say what we know when we are asked. Truth is not authenticated by my proving it. The truth is authenticated by the validity of the One who established it. Truth lies in the reliability of the One who establishes the truth. God cannot LIE! (Heb. 6:18) For those who deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ life after death will not be good. Christian are taught to focus on what is not seen not the things that are seen for the things seen are transient but the unseen is eternal (II Cor. 4:18)

All men have two dimensions of implanted spiritual consciousness that they every man cannot escape.

1. The Awareness of Accountability to and guilt before the True and Living God. Romans 1 and 2 make this clear. Romans 1&2
2. The Consciousness of their capacity for and need of communion w/God. Acts 17:26-28

These dilemmas can only be sufficed by the provisions of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The two provisions in the gospel for these dilemmas are:

1. Christ is the Objective Provision of Perfect Righteousness
2. Christ is the Subjective Provision of Knowledge and Communion with God.
Philippians 3:1-16 clearly articulates.

Dr. Mcswain: So, I find my biggest challenge in life, as well as reward, is staying present. That way, I'm not wasting my time thinking of situations that might have been better, of the stupid things I've done or the people who have offended me and what I wish I had said or done in those situations and so on. Such is madness. Conversely, I'm not wasting my energy with the future either -- a future that, when and if it does come, will only ever come as this present moment. I don't think anyone has ever lived in the future until they got there. When I don't stay anchored to the present, I'm anticipating some conversation, what I'm going to say, how he or she is likely to respond, what I'm going to do with the imagined response, and, well, you can see how this madness goes, too.

Keelan: What a blessing to be able to have a Personal Testimony like Apostle Paul;
“For to me to live (presently) and to die (future) is gain” Paul says in essence “When Christ is your EVERYTHING you handle ANYTHING. Past Present or Future.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
And I don't borrow from the sunshine
'Cause the skies might turn to grey.

And I don't worry about the future,
'Cause I know what Jesus said,
And today I'm gonna walk right beside him
'Cause he's the one who knows what is ahead.

There are things about tomorrow
That I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

And each step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb.
And every burden is getting lighter
And all the clouds, they're silver lined.

And, I'll bet the sun it's always shining
There no tears will ever dim the eye
And the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains, they touch the sky.

There are many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

There is great theology in this song. I love to hear my Pastor Dr. James Brown Sr. sing it. He sings it with so much passion and assurance.

Dr. Mcswain: The hardest thing in life for me -- and I suspect the same is true of most people -- is staying here and now. So this is my daily spiritual practice. And when I do this, I've discovered a kind of resurrection all it's own -- a resurrection within my attitudes, my actions, as well as my sense of inner peace. At times, this inner peace is so wonderful, I could not imagine anything MORE wonderful beyond this life. So what I'm saying is something similar to what my favorite French writer, who is also an atheist, Andre' Comte-Sponville said. In one of his books, he asked, "Why would I want eternal life when I'm experiencing it already?"

Keelan: Ummm……… his favorite writer is an atheist?

These are the type of men teaching in these Liberal Seminarys. Then the young guys graduate for these prestige institution and many can't wait to call them as pastors because of where they studied and they say things we never heard. Church Wake Up!

JUDE

Jude, a servant1 of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

aTo those who are called, bbeloved in God the Father and ckept for2 Jesus Christ:

2 May dmercy, epeace, and love be multiplied to you.

Judgment on False Teachers
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our fcommon salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you gto contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For hcertain people ihave crept in unnoticed jwho long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert kthe grace of our God into sensuality and ldeny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

What Has Jesus Done For Me?

2011-04-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Many Christians wear the bracelets saying, What would Jesus do? This becomes the motivation for them on what they should do. The question is, What has Jesus done for me? The motivation for godly living is His Performance not MY Performances. Don't look for something to do to gain God's Acceptance. Receive what He has freely given in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not Be Like Jesus. It is Receive from Jesus.

Jesus says If you love me you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)Obedience is the test of love. Obedience is an evidence of love not the cause of love. Love is the cause of obedience. When we are struggling with obedience we immediately start trying to adjust our behaviors. Problems with obedience is not with our behaviors it's with our love. This goes back to the source, we love God because He first loved us. Where do we find the greatest expression of that love? It is in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. It is in His atoning death and glorious ressurection.Jesus Christ alone in the perfection of His Work and the Glory of His Person is the Sum and Substance of the Christian Faith. Therefore, this is God's greatest expression of love toward His people.

What would Jesus do, places your focus on YOUR Performances. What has Jesus done for me, places the focus on HIS Performance, which ignites our LOVE FOR HIM and produces obedience to HIM. What He has done for me is the ROOT that leads to FRUIT. Get your eyes off of your FRUIT and fix them on the ROOT. The question is WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR ME?

The Framework of Knowing Christ

2011-04-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

THE FRAMEWORK OF KNOWING CHRIST

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event to occur in the history of man-kind. The Christian faith hangs on the very hinges of the resurrection. This doctrine is one of the most important doctrines of the Bible. I will go a step further and say that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a fundamental and foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we have no faith and Christianity is no better than any other cult or false religion in the world.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a documented historical fact. Something that Paul points out in 1 Cor. 15:5-8. We have the testimony of Peter, Paul, all the disciples and of over 500 brethren who all saw the risen Lord on one occasion. The resurrection is documented in the Bible, Luke 24; John 20-21; Matt. 28; Mark 16; Acts 1:3, etc.
The resurrection is God the Father’s full approval and acceptance of Jesus Christ payment for the sins of His People. It is the receipt of our redemptions purchased price. The benefits of the resurrection to the believer in Christ are many. But three stand out;
1. THE BENEFIT OF A GENUINE FAITH
2. THE BENEFIT OF A GODLY FAMILY
3. THE BENEFIT OF A GLORIOUS FUTURE
The resurrection must be embraced because it:
A. It Authenticates our Justification – Past Tense – The Penalty and Guilt of Sin
B. It Orchestrates Our Sanctification – Present Tense – The Power and Dominion of Sin
C. It Anticipates Our Glorification – Future Tense – The Presence of Sin
Praise God for the Resurrection! There is the Three Dimensional Blessing of the Resurrection, which leads me to our text.
Paul has been asserting the fact that Jesus Christ alone in the perfection of His Work and the Glory of His Person is the Sum and Substance of the Christian Faith. He is the Center and the Circumference of the Christian Joy.
Paul wants the Gospel alone to serve as immunization for the Philippians and us against the Judiaser and their legalism.
3:1 Exhorted To Rejoice in the Lord
3:2 Warning Against the Judiaser and Legalism
3:3 Marks and Identity of True Christians
3:4-6 Testimony of His Life of as a Legalist and His Fleshly Advantages
3:7-11 Evaluation and Explanation of Knowing Christ.
Remember there are two dimensions of implanted spiritual consciousness that they every man cannot escape.
1. The Awareness of Accountability to and guilt before the True and Living God. Romans 1 and 2 make this clear.
2. The Consciousness of their capacity for and need of communion w/God. Acts 17:26-28
We all struggle with these two dilemmas but there are two provisions in the gospel for these dilemmas.
1. Christ is the Objective Provision of Perfect Righteousness
2. Christ is the Subjective Provision of Knowledge and Communion with God.

I showed from the one phrase in verse 10 THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM those two realities.
So we saw first, The Focus Of this Knowledge and Communion with Christ. The Person of Christ, THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM.
We saw the:
• The Nature of that Knowledge
• The Characteristics of the Knowledge
a. Illumination – II Cor. 4:6, Eph. 1:17-18
b. Appropriation – Phil. 3:8
c. Transformation - II Cor. 3:18
d. Aspiration – Phil. 3:7-9
We saw how this text clears up all religious misconceptions.
1. Exposes Heresy of Legalism and Ritualism.
2. Exposes the Curse of Decisionism. Assuring people of salvation on the basis of what they did. Always relying upon their decision for forgiveness. Christ is not an insurance policy. Get the policy you don’t need the agent. No you need both.
3. Exposes the problems with Objectivenism. Love v. 9 Praise God for Grace. Grace is an objective provision.
4. Exposes the faults of Mytism. Only wants experiences.
5. Constitutes the Powerful Comfort to the true people of God
a. Are you fully satisfied with your acceptance before God in Christ? Are you done with plus signs. No more plus signs not adding anything to the Gospel.
b. Are you dissatisfied with your present level of knowledge with Christ. Paul says THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM. Paul I thought you knew Him. Paul do you know Him? Yes and NO
6. Constitutes a Sounding Board of the Gospel.

So today on this Resurrection Sunday we want to look at the Framework of the Knowledge of Christ. The Focus of the Knowledge of Christ was on His PERSON. The Framework of the Knowledge of Christ is on His REDEMPTIVE ACTIVITY,
That I might know HIM and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
The Framework comes to us this morning in 3D, The Framework of the knowledge of Christ is three dimensional, this means it will require Spiritual Glasses to see all the special effects.
I. Paul had a Past Experience with Christ
a. Found In Christ - When I am found in Christ – when I am united to him – I have a righteousness from God that depends on faith.
“union with the resurrected Christ by faith…justification is the first thing that Paul thinks of as one of the benefits of that union. Positionally He is Declared right with God. This is that Objective Righteousness I spoke of that takes care of that conscious awareness of accountability and guilt before God.

II. Paul had a Present or Continuous Experience with Christ
a. That I might know HIM and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, – when I am found in Christ and united to him having a declared righteousness it evidence itself by a pursuing desire to know him. This is the Subjective Knowledge that longs to commune with Him.

III. Paul sought a Future Experience with Christ
a. becoming like him in his death

But the second thing that Paul thinks of as connected with our union with Christ is sanctification. that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

There are three things that Paul wants to know:
1) “Him” – I want to know Christ – Himself. A Desire to Know His Person Intimately
This reminds us that we are not just talking about a moralistic “I want to be a better person” I want to know Christ – I want to know him. We come to know him by faith. True faith is Knowing Believing Pursuing and Resting.

If that is not the first thing that you want to know, then you need to rethink your priorities!
This means you have faulty framework. You never see in 3D without first seeing in 1D

Well, what does it mean to know Christ? Intimately and Experientially
The next two things help us:
2) “I want to know the power of his resurrection” A Desire to Know His Power Experientially

The power or victory over defeat
The power of life over death
The power of winning when it looks like I am losing
The power of knowing truth as opposed to lies
The power to believe when I am drowning in unbelief
The power to love the unlovable
The power to befriend my enemies
The power to trust God’s Heart when I can’t see his hand
The power to shut up when I want to speak
The power that will enable me to resist the World the Flesh and the Devil.
The power that will make me cry when nothing wrong
The power that will make me strong when I know I am weak
The power to forgive when people keep on hurting me
The power to continue speaking boldly when others are silent
The power to give my last because my trust is in my First

This is the power for holy living. This kind of power requires a dead man. For resurrection power works best in the graveyard. Many can’t experience this kind of power because they want die or deny self. Paul says I have counted everything loss for the surpassing knowledge of knowing Him. Being found in him not having a righteousness of my own but a righteousness from God that depends on faith in Christ that Justification and the evidence of my justification is sanctification.

Sanctification is a profoundly doctrinal, theological process. You will never grow in grace, if you are not growing in knowledge. I want to know Him and the Power of his resurrection

Of course, there is always the opposite problem – of people who are always studying and never doing – but my observation is that those who are seeking to know Christ
in the manner that Paul describes here are invariably the most active Christians in the church. Because knowing the power of Christ’s resurrection is nothing less than experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit – who is, after all, the presence of the resurrected Christ with his people.

The resurrected Lord has poured out his Spirit on his church – and therefore the power of the exalted Messiah is at work in you.

3) “I want to know the fellowship of his sufferings” A Desire to Know Him Identically by Participate Sufferings

This comes about first in our baptism – and outward expression of an inward change. To be Identified with Christ as participants in the death and burial of Christ. As he identified with us in his incarnation, we identify with him – we are united with his death – in our baptism.

But this definitive breach with sin then is worked out throughout the life of the believer.
“becoming like him in his death.”

This is simply another way of saying, “to live is Christ; to die is gain.”
that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Verse 11 then emphasizes our “final” sanctification in glorification.
As Paul had said in Romans 8:17, “we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

Many have been struck by the tentativeness of this – almost as though Paul was in doubt whether he would attain the resurrection!

But I don’t think we need to read any doubt into this. Rather, Paul is emphasizing the need for perseverance.

Your present status in Christ does not remove or reduce your need to persevere.
The only way to glory is the way of the cross. Knowing the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings and being conformed to the likeness of his death is the only way to glory.
After all, if Paul has come this far, refusing to have confidence in himself
and his own righteousness, then how could he have confidence in his own efforts at sanctification?

His only hope is Christ – and so he wants to keep his confidence fixed there. Paul wanted to be found in Christ in his living and in His death.

And so the 3 dimensions of the framework of the knowledge of Christ are
Justified
Sanctified
Glorified

Saved Being Saved Will Be Saved Past Present and Future

I have a Personal Relationship
I have a Powerful Relationship
I have a Perfect Relationship

All because He Died was Buried And Has RISEN God raised Him up.

Because He Lives
________________________________________
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Privileges and Positions Are No Protection

2010-06-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

Holiness is arguably the most neglected attribute of God in the contemporary church. If asked to describe God, many Christians would mention his power, love, wisdom, or a list of other attributes, before they mention holiness. Yet in scripture, holiness is God’s central, defining, and foundational attribute. In fact, the word the Bible uses to describe God more than any other word is “Holy.” And God is so holy that everything associated with God becomes holy.

The text I have been capture by is Leviticus 10:1-3

1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

The central theme of the book is Holiness. The book intends to show how
Israel was to fulfill its covenant responsibility to be 'a kingdom of priests
and a holy nation' (Ex 19:6; Lev 26:5).
How to maintain the vital covenantal relationship between the Israelites
and their God is the concern of the book of Leviticus.

New Testament theology makes full use of the idea of holiness. All
Christians are holy, "saints" in most English translations. That is, they have
been called by God to be his people just as ancient Israel had been
(Col.1:2; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2:9-10; Exod. 19:5-6). But this state of holiness must
find expression in holy living (Col. 1:22; 1 Pet. 1:15).

Sanctification is expressed through obedience to the standard of teaching (Rom. 6:17-19), just as in Leviticus through obedience to the law. Peter urges his readers to
make the motto of Leviticus their own: "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Pet.
1:16). The imitation of God is a theme that unites the ethics of Old and
New Testaments (Matt. 5:48; 1 Cor. 11:1).

Now in the text we find that the sons of Aaron offered Unauthorized Fire unto the LORD and were killed. So we see that God takes worship very serious. It is to be done His way and not ours. All worship must be consistent with te Word of God. Unauthorized Fire can be understood as that which the LORD had not commanded.

It is interesting to me these were Aaron's sons. Aaron was the brother of Moses. Aaron was the High-priest. He was the only one permitted into the Holy Holies, the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. And yet they were killed in an act of worship for doing what God had not commanded. I am trying to emphasize that they were not some heathen or pagan young men. They were consecrated to the priestly office, coming to attend their office the very first day after their consecration to offer incense to God, they ventured to offer incense with strange fire, with other fire than God had appointed (Unauthorized Fire). Upon that, the fire of God's wrath broke out upon them and killed them both presently in that very sanctuary before all the people.

They were two men very renown in the country and before all the people of Israel, two men that God had greatly honored as you shall find in the beginning of the 24th chapter of Exodus. I am wanting you to see that these were men of Privilege and Position and yet they are consumed. What a warning this is for the people of God on how serious God is about worship and His holiness. Privileges and Positions are no Protection when it comes to approaching a Holy God.

This story troubled me much at first glance. I said to myself how could God bring such judgement on men of such privilege and position? As a preacher of the Gospel it just seemed to me to be a bit harsh. Then as I reflected and contemplated more on who God is I got it.

We are amazed at the judgement of God because of our lack of understanding and reverence of His Holiness that we miss the amazement of His Grace. The question is not why God killed them. But why has he not killed me and others of us who have also been guilty of offering Unauthorized Fire. Halleluah for the Lamb!

Privileges and Positions are not Protection. To whom much is given much is required. Privileges and Positions should serve as motivations for love and appreciation for God and His grace toward us. Love and appreciation should manifest itself in obedience to God's Holy Word.

In Isaiah 6 there is the mentioning of the Seraphim these angelic beings who hovered over the throne of God as guardians. They are God’s supernatural secret service team. They are Privileged to have such honored Positions. They are Holy Angels the bible says they have six wings. The wings are used to guard others from the throne of God and to guard themselves from God's throne. Two of the wings are said to cover their face. Get this they are Holy Angels Privileged and Positioned yet they cover their face from God.

They are holy angels who guard the throne of God. Yet they are still creatures. And even with their Privileged and lofty Positons it is still necessary for them to shield their eyes from a direct gaze at the face of God. That’s how Holy God is. He is not just set apart from sin. He is set apart from all creation. So even the Holy Angels that guard his throne had better beware, lest they become objects of his Holy Wrath.

Privilege and Position Are No Protection

The Danger of Unauthorzed Fire

2010-06-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

One of the best books I ever read is by the Old Puritan Pastor Jeremiah Burroughs called GOSPEL WORSHIP. I would encourage every Christian to read it. There seems to be a loss of reverence in our comtemporary worship services. Much of what is done focuses more on us than on God. The bible is clear God must be worshipped in Spirit and Truth. God tells us how to worship Him. We are not permitted to offer worship to God however and whatever we desire and think it is acceptable. Many say as long as you are sincere it doesn't matter. This poses a problem because there is the danger of being sincerely wrong. Worship is for God, not for us. Sadly, that simple statement is foreign to our day. This is not to say we or not benefited in worship. God is to be glorified and we are edified in doing so.

Leviticus 10:1–3 (ESV)

1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

This passage gives evidence and validity to the fact that God is serious about how He is worshipped. People of God don't take worshipping God as some casual thing. He is Holy and He must be reverenced.

Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs masterfully gives guidelines to facilitate the reader to move closer to God in worship. Through 14 sermons, Burroughs carefully explains the right manner of worshipping God in the three great ordinances of hearing the Word, receiving the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. Burroughs shows that true worship is reverent, focused upon our Holy God.

In a sermon Burroughs wrote on this passage three things he highlighted that I think we should take heed to. He says;

1. That in worshipping God, there is a drawing nigh unto Him.

2. That when we do draw nigh to God, we should take heed to ourselves that we sanctify God's name. (Treat His Name as HOLY)

3. If we do not sanctify God's name in our drawing nigh to Him, then certainly God will sanctify His own name upon us.

On the first point Burrough says, "That in God's worship, there must be nothing tendered up to God but what He has commanded. I call this, "No Use of Unauthorized Fire".

All that we do in worship must be consistent with the Word of God which is the Will of God. I must ask myself am I acting upon what God has prescribed or am I acting upon what I desire?

Aaron's sons offered fire that God had not commanded. This means we must have a warrant for the worship of God. If I do not have Scripture to warrant me, I am acting insubordinate. We must all be willing worshippers, not will-worshippers.

If you would worship God, you must have a commandment of God for the worship.If there is no command from God then you worship in vain (Matthew 15:39). We can't use Unauthorized Fire!

I will pick up more tomorrow with Privilege and Positions Are No Protection.

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24

Good Performances require Godly Preparation

2010-05-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Many of the Spiritual Battles we lose in life are often caused by a lack of Spiritual Preparation. In any battle fight or competition preparation is critical. Most of us love to perform but we hate to prepare. I can still hear the words of NBA superstar Allen Iverson, "PRACTICE." Paul warns the church of its need to be prepared for Spiritual Warfare. Paul gives the church at Ephesus and believers of all ages to be spiritually prepared to fight in the war against the enemies of our faith and practice. In Ephesians 6:10-13, He starts with A Command - Be Strong in the Lord. Which is a command to have our dependency properly aligned. A good army must know where their strength resides. Our strength is not in ourselves nor our efforts for we are no match for the devil and his demons. After telling us what to do Paul then tells us how to do it An Explanation, "Put on God's Armor." Our Strength for battle is found in our obedience to Paul's word. This command is in the middle voice, meaning the subject is to do the action and actually benefits from the action he does. David knew he could not beat Goliath with Saul's armor. So he refused it for he had never used it and it was never designed for Him it was designed for Saul. God has armor that is tailor made for His people to do battle with our enemies. Paul gives us the Command the Explanation and then the Reason - In order that you might be able to STAND against the schemes of the devil. We must understand that the devil doesn't have any new material. He uses the same schemes and strategy to try to defeat us. He knows he can't destroy us externally so he tries to corrupt us internally. Paul Conclusion - Put on God's Full Armor in Order to Stand. Paul restates a previous command, we are to be fully prepared for the attacks of the devil. The goal is for us to Perform by STANDING and we can only Stand by PREPARING. May God give us the grace to see the necessity of our need of HIM in the Spiritual Battles we will face. (Phil. 4:13)

His Glory or Our Glory

2010-05-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Ed Stetzer, in Comeback Churches, states "Many spiritual problems and barriers exist, hindering a church's growth through evangelism. Then, Stetzer cites thirty growth barriers that he believes cannot be overcome by "accepting statistics or adhering to strategies."

We will do better with the Master's Purpose than with Our Plans.

The first barrier that Stetzer states is "Churches aren't concerned about God's glory, believing the church is just for them."

Much of what we call worship is Self-Centered. Listen to much of what we call Gospel music. I never would have made it without you. The song is never clear and definitive about who the help came from. There is no mentioning of Jesus Christ. He Saw the best in Me. This denies the clear teaching of Scripture on the doctrine of the depravity of man. Our purpose is to Glorify Him and find satisfaction in so doing.

When a church's major focus is within the confines of a building, the congregation can morph into a religious country club. While on earth, Jesus was focused on those individuals that the "Religious Elite" considered to be unclean, unholy, profane. However, in truth, the attitude and hearts of the religious leaders were unclean, unholy, profane.

When a church is focused on God's Glory, they will do that which brings Him Glory. Example reaching the lost, by making disciples for Jesus Christ. We demonstrate our concern for His Glory by obeying His commands.

A story that illustrates the importance of staying focused on reaching people for Christ is below. This modern parable was written originally in 1953 by an Episcopal priest named Theodore Wedel. It shows how our own glory can take priorty over His Glory.

"A Crude Lifesaving Station"
by Theodore Wedel

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude lifesaving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost. Many lives were saved by this wonderful little station, so that it became famous.

Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and their money and their effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews were trained. The little lifesaving station grew.

Now some of the members of the lifesaving station became unhappy, in time, however, because the building was so crude and so poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable, suitable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. And so they replaced the emergency cots with beds, and they put better furniture in the now enlarged building, so that now the lifesaving station actually became a popular gathering place for its members. They took great care in decorating it beautifully and furnishing it exquisitely, for they found new uses for it in the context of a sort of club. But fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, and so they hired lifesaving crews to do this work on their behalf, and in their stead.

Now, don’t misunderstand, the lifesaving motif still prevailed in the club’s decoration and symbols — there was a liturgical lifeboat (symbolic rather than fully functional) in the room where the club initiations were held, for example — so the changes did not necessarily mean that the original purposes were totally lost.

About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold and wet, half-drowned people. They were dirty people and they were sick people, some of them with black skin, some with yellow skin. The beautiful new club, as you might imagine, was thrown into chaos, so that the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where these recent victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming
inside the main clubhouse.

At the very next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s lifesaving activities for being so unpleasant, as well as for being a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Some members insisted upon lifesaving as their primary purpose, pointing out that, indeed, they were still called a lifesaving station. But these few were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast. And so, they did just that.

Now as the years passed, the new station down the coast came to experience the very same changes that had occurred in the older, initial station. It evolved into a club, and yet another lifesaving station had to be founded to restore the original purpose.

Well, history continued to repeat itself, so that if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a great number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown!”

Please don't miss the point. I am not saying the church has some saving power in and of itself. God alone saves all of His Elect people. However I don't think this negates our responsibility in relationship to Him and others. I think the story shows how ones practices can shift when their purpose is misaligned. All that we do should be for His Glory and not ours.

I Peter 4:11

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Forgive

2010-05-19T04:56:00.000-07:00

To forgive is not an occassional act but a permanent attitude. It is not optional for the child of God it is mandatory. To forgive is to cancel the debt another owes you. It is to not let the act come between you and the guilty party. Forgive is to go 100% to bring a guilty person back into relationship with you. It is to take one back into your heart when you know you can't trust them. This is what God has done for His people in Christ Jesus.(Matthew 6:14-15)

CONFUSED

2010-05-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Rima Fakih, 24, of Dearborn, Michigan, was crowned Miss USA on Saturday night....According to Ms. Fakih her family celebrates both the Christian and Muslim faiths...Which I just don't believe is possible! Matter of fact I know is impossible. Now she did say CELEBRATES both the Christian and Muslim faiths. Now I don't know what she means by celebrtes them both. I just want to be clear that you can't be a Christian and a Muslim. Nor can you be a Christian-Muslim nor a Muslim-Christian, there is no such thing. If this is what she thinks she is Neither. She is CONFUSED! You can be a Christian and respect one having different beliefs that you don't embrace. However your beliefs as a Christian is a statement that their beliefs are wrong. The theological terms of the two faith are contradictory. You can only be a Christian by repenting of your sins and turning to Jesus Christ as the Only means and hope of Salvation. Trusting Him Alone, that is His PERSON and ATONING WORK CALVARY for full payment of your sin. Jesus says in John 14:6, I am THE WAY THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. NO ONE comes to God EXCEPT through ME. These are exclusives claims not inclusive. Many people think they can have Jesus and something else. To be a Christian according to the bible, it is Christ Alone. He is sufficient for His peoples every need. If you think you can have Jesus and Muhammad you are CONFUSED! If I think both are right I don't believe either are right. This is Post-Modernism at its core. The denial of Absolute Truth. The denial of absolute truth is the denial of God. In reality the is only one ABSOLUTE. Either you believe the Bible or you believe the Koran or you don't believe either. And if you claim to embrace both you are CONFUSED! A man can't serve two masters he will either love one and hate the other (Matthew 6:24). Sadly there are people who claim to be Christians and say they don't oppose the beliefs of other religions (Oprah). When you say I believe Jseus Christ you automatically saying I don't believe Buddah, Muhammad or any other self proclaimed Messiah. This is why we need Sound Biblical expositional preaching and teaching in our Christian Churches, because we have so many people who are CONFUSED! Just because my cat has kittens in an oven it don't make them biscuits and just because you go to a church or a Masque in don't make you Christian or Muslim. You must submit yourself to the teachings and beliefs of that faith. It's one or the other you can't be both. And if you wnat to get it right it is Jesus Christ Alone. Anything else is a waste of valable time and will cost you eternity. The bible is God's self-revelation of Himself, it is Inerrant Infalliable and Sufficient. Read it, obey it submit yourself to it soley and you want be CONFUSED! Ms. Fakih may have a crown on her head but she has no KING in her life if it is not JESUS CHRIST ALONE.

May God Give us the Grace needed that we be found in the TRUTH (Christ). I do not write judging Ms. Fakih or any other for a determined condemnation, God forbid, there go I except the Grace of God, but I write judging with hopes of reconciliation to God which is only found in Jesus Christ. So I simply speak the truth in love.

Going Home

2010-05-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

Sitting in airport in Jacksonville Fl. waitng and reflecting on the grace and goodness of God to His people. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to preach at Shiloh Metropolitian Baptist Church where my friend and brother, pastor HB Charles Jr. serves as the humble shepherd. I had a wonderful time with them to God be the Glory!

EMPTY PRINCIPLES

2010-05-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

Jesus says in John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

All of The Scriptures point to the Person of Jesus Christ. The Goal is not to know about Him but to know Him. Paul said he wanted to know Christ Intimately, Relaional and Experientially (Phil. 3:10) The aim and importance of the written word is to point and bring us to the Living Word. I am a strong believer in knowing the word intellectually. However If that intellectual knowledge doesn't lead me into a practical relationship with Christ. I am on a boat with directions to a destination that refuses to leave the dock. Religious knowledge can be dangerous. Life is not found my knowledge it is only found in Christ. When you reject Christ you reject the princples you claim to know. Any Scripture Cross Church or any such thing that doesn't bring you to a relationship that submits to practical obedience to Christ is empty.

God's Electing Grace

2010-05-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wonder why the doors of the church are still open? Some say because of the faithful few in the giving of their time efforts and resources. Some say it's the prayers of the church. I stand firm without the fear of successful contradiction. The doors of the church remain open because of Election. God's Electing Grace!!! Halleluah for the LAMB!!!

Think about it. Where it not that God chose some heaven would have none. The functions and orders of life is because of God's choice.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, [2] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being [3] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him [4] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

God has selected the rejected to shame the respected that the chosen's boasting would be in the LORD.

Joyfol Worship

2010-05-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

I had a glorious time in corporate worship on yesterday. The choir's singing was up lifting and the saints were in praise mode. I believe praise is a Free-Soul Experience. Only the soul that is free can praise God. I preached Ephesians 6:1-4, Spirit-Filled Children. I tried to encourage our children and parents with the text. I shared that God has a Word For the Growing Ones and a Word for the Guiding Ones. Children Obey and Honor parents in the Lord. Parent Nurture and Instruct children in the Lord.

May God give the grace needed, so that the requirements be met for His Glory and our Good.

His Grace Is Sufficient II Cor. 12:9

HOW TO LIVE LONGER

2010-04-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

If there is anything our children need today among many, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 is not a command to adults but to to all Christians. If our children are saved they must be taught to yield to the Spirit of God's control and direction in their lives. I'm working on my sermon for this coming Sunday, Spirit Filled Children.
Paul gives instructions in Ephesians 6:1-4.

Many have different takes on child rearing. Dr. Spock and Dr. Phil. However, for Christians God's word in clear.

God has a Word to the Growing Ones 1-3
God has a Word to the Guiding Ones 4

As parents we must
1. Set The Godly Standard
2. Discipline To The Godly Standard
3. Live Up To The Godly Standard

May God help us to yield ourselves to the Word of God and the Spirit of God that we might do and say what is needed for our children to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Please pray for my time of prepartion and my preaching that God will be glorified and the saints edified.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Think on This

2010-04-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

"Just because there is a seat on the bus doesn't mean you are headed in the right direction."

It's funny how we make our pleasures out of God's will . It must be His will I'm doing it and I'm enjoying it.

Don't confuse Permission with Purpose. They both are the make up of His Sovereignty. God's will of precept is His Word which He uses to govern us. His will of Purpose is what He uses to govern Himself somethimes He shares His will of Purpose with us sometimes He doesn't. Our focus is to be on His will of precept, that which is revealed in His Word. So we can never willing disregard the will of precept and conclude its His will of purpose. None of us obey God perfectly thank God for Mercy and Grace. However, we should make every effort to obey the revealed will of God for His Glory and our good.

JUST KEEP WINNING

2010-04-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Many keep writing the Champion Lakers off. Notice I didn't say Defending Champion Lakers. They are not defending their championship from last year, that is in the books, safe and secure. They are attempting to win another one this year and if they don't they still keep the championship from last year, Duh! Many say they aren't looking good. Many thought OKC Thunders would beat them. I think last night sealed that deal. It is interesting to me how people get elevated before they are proven. Lebron "the King" has never sat on the throne. Don't get me wrong he is a very talented player, a beast on the court. However, Kobe, broke finger, bad knee, and bad ankle, He just KEEPS WINNING! A person's greatness can be blinded by their consistency. One more win then the next round. How do you criticize a team that Just Keeps Winning! (:-)

DIVISION OR DISCUSSION

2010-04-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

In my concentric circle of contacts of Christian brothers I have found much division on the subject of the Atonement. Please notice that I said "Brothers." I do not think one should question one's salvation on the basis of whether one ascribes to a Limited or Unlimited Atonement. I personally believe in a Limited Atonement. I believe that Christ's death actually accomplishes and secures the salvation of all who believe the Gospel. I share the Gospel with everyone with no exclusion trusting the Spirit of God to make Christ known to whom He pleases. However, I believe those that the Father has given to Christ will come to Christ(John 6:37a). I have some concerns on both sides. I don't think it is Christ-like to think less of a brother because he might not understand what you understand, especially when we say that only the Spirit of God gives spiritual understanding. I don't think it is appropriate or Christ-like to separate or demean someone for this lack of understanding. The good news of God's free and sovereign grace does not produce arrogance and mean spirits. I believe it produces humilty patience and love. Now there are those on the other side who make statements like it doesn't matter and they don't divide but they want discuss. I say to those please be cautious with those type of statements. Truth does matter if indeed Christ matters, for He declared that He is the truth (John 14:6). Those who are faithful to sound exposition must preach the whole counsel of God's word. Jesus said search the Scripture for in them you find life, that life is in Him. Many question why even preach on such a subject, just preach Christ. They don't see a practical relevance. I say in loving response to that, there is much practical relevance.

1. It magnifies the work of Christ because it presents an atonement that is a finished work not a possiblity.

2. It give hope in evangelism because when we evangelize we know that Christ is actually saving not potentially.

3. It ministers gloriously to the believer's assurance because the believer can find assurance in an actual completed work that is particular rather than general.

4. It deepens a believer's love for the Lord when properly understood what Christ has done for them. Love is magnified in a deeper since of appreciation when love has a particular object.

5. It enables us to offer a truly finished work. Which ampliflies Grace and diminishes human works.

It is my honest desire not to see brothers divided and treat one another like enemies or something less because of a theological position. It is also my desire to see brothers open the Scripture and discuss theological positions and trust the Spirit of God to give illumination.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

LOVE DISPLAYED NOT DISCUSSED

2010-04-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

Love is a word frequently used, seldom explained and often misunderstood. The most commonly used Greek word translated "love" in the New Testament is "agape." This love is represented by God's love for us. It is a unconditional, sacrificial, eternal and particular love. This love is probably best exemplified by God's provision for our rebellion:Biblically love is the unconditional giving of oneself for the greater good of another. Love is caring in action. Love isn't what we feel, but what we do. This kind of love can only be produced by saving faith.
How do I know when I'm doing it ? We love other people when we stop using them as means to supply our deficiencies and instead rejoice in the divine enablement to supply their deficiencies. It is interesting that the bible gives more descriptions of love than definitions of love. Which implies to me love is not so much to be discussed as it is to be displayed.

I John 3:16-18
16 By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Here John give us:
1. Supreme Example of Love v16
2. Subjects Expectation to Love v17
3. Statement Emphasized about Love v18

The Neglected Command

2010-04-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

A preacher visited a large and influential church. His guide told him of an unfortunate experience. One of the church officers had repeatedly gotten drunk, and so they had to discipline him and put him out of the church fellowship, HE replied, “ we believe in following the Scripture.” The preacher humbly ask the guide a question, “how long has it been since you put somebody out of the church for not being Filled with the Spirit?” The guide look at the preacher startled. The preacher said the bible says, “DO NOT GET DRUNK WITH WINE, BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.” YOU SEE THE POSITIVE COMMAND TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS JUST AS BINDING ON US AS A NEGATIVE COMMAND NOT TO BE DRUNK WITH WINE.
Isn’t it interesting how we discipline people for doing what they are not suppose to do, but we never discipline people for not doing what they are suppose to do.

Forgiveness

2009-03-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness

1. The act of excusing or pardoning another in spite of his slights, shortcomings, and errors. As a theological term, forgiveness refers to God's pardon of the sins of human beings.
2. To cancel the debt that another owes you.
3. To know that the person is guilty of wronging you, and not let the act come between you and the guilty party.
4. To take full responsibility for the restoration of a relationship, when someone has wronged you, I mean to go 100% of the way to bring that person back into the right relationship with you.
5. To take the person back into your heart, and continue to love them when you know you can’t trust them.

To forgive is an act of GRACE. Grace is the Undeserved love and kindness of God. We are saved by grace Eph. 2:8-9. Those that have received God’s forgiveness are to extend forgiveness to others Eph. 4:32.

Unwillingness to forgive is a sin, for we are COMMANDED to forgive. We are never more like Christ than when we forgive.

Christ forgives us of all our sins and if we are going to be like Christ we must forgive. Regardless of what someone has done to us. None of us have been treated as worst as Christ was treated.

Three things to ponder:
The Goal of Forgiveness is to Glorify the Father -------- Restoration
The Grounds of Forgiveness is the Cross of the Son------Redemption
The Gift of Forgiveness is the Enabling Power of the Spirit-----Release

Lord forgives us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12

Guard the Truth

2009-03-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to attend the Shepherds Conference sponsored by John Macarthur in California a couple of weeks ago. Dr. Steve Lawson really convicted and challenged me with his exposition of Galatians 1:6-10 Guarding the Truth. It reminded me of the tremendous responsibility we have as preachers of the gospel in a day when so much of preaching is not the gospel at all. May all called preachers of God be faithful to the assignment. Preach the Gospel! There is only one!

II Timothy 4:1-2 Paul says we have been solemnly charged to Preach the Word. This charge that Paul gives is an Apostolic Admonition that has Trinitrian Testimony. God the Father and Jesus Christ are the witnesses to our obedience. They are not just the witnessess but Christ is also the judge. Which means there are no appeals. Brothers this is serious business.

LIFE OF JOSEPH

2009-02-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

I have been consumed by the character study of the life of Joseph. It has served as a tremendous enouragement to me in understanding the Sovereign and Providential workings of God. i am thoroughly convinced that He works all things to the counsel of His own will. This is the only thing that explains and gives comfort and hope to the difficulties and trials we face in life. Without a proper and biblical world view, we become bitter. With the proper biblical world view, we become better. Thanks and praise be to God for the bible. I am doing some writing on the Life of Joseph. I hope it serves as a source of encouragement to all that read this. Before we examine the story of Joseph and the terrible sin of his brothers and its redemptive purpose in the glory of Jesus Christ, let’s look to Genesis 12. I believe we will not fully comprehend the life of Joseph apart from this beginning. With the exception of Jesus Christ, Abraham is probably the most significant person in the bible. Fourteen chapters are used to set forth the life of this one man. The history of Abraham and his immediate descendents fill the great middle and concluding portions of Genesis 12-50.

To properly understand the Old Testament, one must understand God’s dealings Abraham in many ways. The history of God’s redemptive plan lies greatly aligned in him. The promise of redemption somewhat begins with God’s call of him. This is not to negate the first prophesy of redemption in Genesis 3:15. I am speaking of where we see the first working of this prophesy; it begins with the call of Abraham.
In Genesis 12, God has unconditionally chosen Abram from all the peoples of the world by free grace and God’s own sovereign choice. This choice was not motivated by anything good in Abraham (Gen.15:6). In Genesis 12:1 God calls Abram to Himself. He is to leave his country, his kindred and his father’s house. He is to leave his place, his people and his parents to live a life overshadowed by Yahweh’s presence.
In Genesis 12:2-3, God makes him a promise: God’s calling of sinful men unto Himself is always connected to a promise of God to act on behalf of the one He calls. The God who calls has promised to act. And His promise to act is supported by all of who He is in His divine essence and attributes. This means the one who is called has a tremendous support system, God Himself.
“I will bless you and I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” In this promise is the sevenfold repetition of God saying I WILL! This declaration itself is reserved to the one Absolute of Reality. God alone can say, “I WILL.” The relative existence of man doesn’t allow for this claim. God promises to act on behalf of Abram and his people. This is the beginning of the people of Israel through whom Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God will come into the world to save us from our sins.
Then in chapter 15, God makes a covenant with Abram. This covenant is sealed by God Himself. It is not contingent upon Abram in any way. God trusts Himself. He uses a remarkable symbolic act and some astonishing words. He says to Abram in Genesis 15:13-16, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. . . . And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
So at the very beginning of his covenant relationship with his chosen people, God predicts a 400-year stay in Egypt and the return to the Promised Land. “They will be afflicted 400 years.” This is a part of the promise; they will possess the land God has given them after 400 years in Egypt. God says. “The people in the land, the Amorites have some more sins to commit before I judge them and give you the land.” It is interesting the actual numbers of iniquities are not mentioned. How many more sins will God allow before judgment? Uhmm…….how do you know when you’re down to your last sin? Notice the patients of God, even with sin. The book of Ecclesiastes chapter 8 and verse 11 says because the sentence of execution is not speedily brought against evil the heart of man is fully set the do evil. So since God is not going to do anything at the moment I sin, I will continue to sin and deal with that when the time comes. This is the irrational thinking of the depraved mind. Remember when the iniquities of the Amorites are full then judgment. You might say the Amorites were not God’s people so this is different. However, if you are comfortable in sin maybe you aren’t either. If spiritually understood this should motivate us toward abstaining from sin, not continuing in it. (Rom. 6:1-2)
So there is God’s plan for his chosen people. If God plans 400 years of affliction for his people (Genesis 15:13) before the Promised Land, we should not be surprised or shocked that he says to us “through many tribulations you must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). There is devastation before deliverance, darkness before light, tragedy before triumph, hurt before healing, defeat before victory and death before resurrection.
How will it come about that God’s people wind up in Egypt? The answer is that God fulfills this prophecy through their disgusting sin. And through this sin, God preserves the life not only his covenant people of Israel, but also the line from which the Lion of the Tribe Judah would come to save and rule the peoples (peoples in plural not just Israel). This is all that God has chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4)
God’s preserving them is just a small part of the story, he has a vested interest. He has invested Himself to manifest Himself for His own Glory.
Let’s bring the story up to Joseph. Abram has a son Isaac. Isaac has a son Jacob (whose other name is Israel), and Jacob has twelve sons who become the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. One of Jacob’s twelve sons, Joseph, has two dreams. In both of them, his eleven brothers and his parents bow down to him. The brothers hate him and decide to kill him; they throw him in a pit with plans of saying that a fierce animal has devoured him. Reuben tries to save Joseph but his attempt doesn’t work, the brothers sell Joseph as a slave to a caravan of Ishmaelites heading for Egypt (v. 25). They keep his coat of many colors, soak it in animal blood and his father is led to believe by the deception of the brothers he was eaten by wild animals. The brothers clearly think that is the end of that.
These brothers have no clue what is happening. They actually think they are in control of this situation. People think they are in control when they know who’s in control. They are completely oblivious to God’s sovereign hand in their action. They do not know that in the very effort to destroy this dreamer, they are fulfilling Joseph’s dreams. They would have never thought that their deception would be a means to their deliverance. God takes the very sins of the destroyers and makes them the means of the destroyers’ deliverance. What is intended for evil, God intends for a means to preserve His plan and purpose and His people. What an Awesome God!!! The difficulties that were placed on the life of Joseph would be the means of their deliverance. The cross that was intended to get rid of Jesus is the means God uses to bring deliverance for His people. They knew what they were up to but they had no clue what God was up to. This reminds me of those remarkable words of Jesus from the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Spiritual blindness is man’s problem and Spiritual sight is his need.
So you can see the life of Joseph is an interesting and meaningful study. We can see some of the most glorious and beautiful pictures of Christ in the life of Joseph. Joseph’s life wonderfully displays a type of Jesus Christ in circumstances but not completely in character.
Joseph’s life clearly shows and teaches us that God providentially ordains and permits unusual means to accomplish His desired goals. This entire history from chapter 37 is perhaps the Bible's greatest illustration of the fact and nature of divine providence. The statement that summarizes this whole history in 50:20, "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good", this is the Bible's locus classicus, or chief text on the subject of divine providence, His governing all the affairs of men to bring about His intended purposes It shows us that life’s difficulties are not simply coincidental or accidental but are preordained ingredients that God permits to accomplish His purpose in our lives.
Joseph teaches us that our situations should not be an excuse for our lack of total dedication to God. He shows us that a gracious humble and trusting heart never makes the goodness of God an excuse for sin, even in difficult times.
In the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “we must trust God’s heart even when we can’t see His hand.” I hope and pray that the Life of Joseph is as helpful to you as it has been to me, in areas of learning to view life from the perspective of the providence and sovereignty of God rather than from the perspective of human actions. I am learning through Joseph that God is the primary cause of everything and everything operates at His divine permission. Please don’t read into this that God is the cause of sin. I am simply saying that God has absolute authority and all other authorities are delegated authorities given to display His glory. So the life of Joseph provides us with three major points of emphasis.
1. It a Provided Channel that shows us the route or the bridge that gets the people of God to the place he said they must go, which was Egypt.
2. It gives us a look at the Personal Character of Joseph in light of the difficulties he had to face.
3. Also there is a Picture Conveyed of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ in Joseph that shows and gives us hope of deliverance and the character of that Deliverer.

Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone

ENJOYING THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD PT. 2

2008-06-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

IT IS INTERESTING HOW PAUL GOES FROM 202 WORDS OF PRAISING GOD IN EPHESIANS 1:3-14 TO 169 WORDS OF PRAYER, IN 1:15-23. THEY BOTH COMPRISE ONE SENTENCE. PAUL GRAMMAR TEACHER WOULD NOT BE VERY FOND OF HIM. HOWEVER, EVERYTHING THAT IS GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT IS NOT ALWAYS THEOLOGICALLY POWERFUL. PAUL WRITES UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE MASTERFULLY DESCRIBES THE GREAT WORK OF OUR THRICE HOLY GOD IN SALVATION IN VERSES 3-14. WHERE WILL HE GO NOW, AFTER SUCH WEIGHTY PRAISE TO OUR SOVEREIGN GOD?

TRUE AUTHENTIC PRAISE PLACES US ON OUR KNEES. PAUL SHIFTS FROM PRAISE TO PRAYER. PAUL PRAYS FOR THE EPHESIANS SAINTS AND SAINTS THROUGHOUT TIME FOR US TO HAVE A SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM. SIMPLY PUT, PAUL PRAYS THAT WE WOULD COME TO KNOW THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION BETTER.

PAUL SAYS GOD PLANNED HIS WORK AND THEN WORKED HIS PLAN. HE THAT HAS BEGAN A GOOD WORK IS FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE IT UNTIL THE DAY OF REDEMPTION. (PHIL. 1:6) WHAT A GLORIOUS PROMISE TO THOSE IN CHRIST. OUR GOD'S CONFIDENCE IS IN HIMSELF. IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT HE BE PRAISED AND KNOWN BY HIS PEOPLE. THIS SHOULD BE THE BELIEVERS LONGING TO KNOW GOD BETTER. WE SHOULD PRAISE HIM WITH ALL THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE TRULY UNDERSTAND ALL THAT HE HAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST. READ OVER EPH. 1:3-14 AND REFLECT ON THE RICHES THAT ARE OURS IN CHRIST JESUS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PRESENT CONDITIONS OF OUR WORLD IT CAN BE DEPRESSIING. ECONOMICALLY, POLITICALLY, SOCIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY WE ARE IN TROUBLE. IT IS EASY FOR A BELIEVER IN CHRIST TO FEEL ABANDONED. HOWEVER AFTER READING EPHESIANS WE REALIZE HOW RICH WE ARE IN CHRIST. THANK GOD FOR HIS WORD! ECONOMICALLY, THE PRICES OF GAS AND MORTGAGES ARE SOARING, BUT OUR INHERITANCE IS SECURE. POLITICALLY, WE DON'T KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE, BUT OUR HOPE IN IN CHRIST AND HIS WORD IS SURE. SOCIALLY, WE SEE SINS EFFECT ON MANKIND, BUT WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN IN CHRIST TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS BEFORE HIM. SPIRITUALLY, WE SOMETIMES FEEL BANKRUPT, BUT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST. SO FOCUS NOT ON YOUR PROBLEMS BUT YOUR PRIVILEGES. TO GOD BE PRAISED!!!!!

O' THAT WE MIGHT KNOW HIM (PHIL. 3:10)

ENJOYING THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD

2008-06-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

THE LORD HAS BEEN MATURING ME GREATLY AS HE INCREASES MY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF MY SALVATION. I HAVE BEEN PREACHING THROUGH THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS.
I STARTED WITH THE GREAT HYMN OF GRACE IN CHAPTER 1:3-14. PAUL IS PRAISING GOD FOR BLESSINGS THAT OR OUR IN CHRIST JESUS. IT IS AWESOME TO UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE ALL THAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS. WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING THEIR IS. WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN IN CHRIST BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. WHICH MEANS GOD'S CHOOSING IS NOT ABOUT OUR BEHAVIOR BUT GOD'S BENEVOLENCE. I SEARCH THROUGH THIS DOXOLOGY AND I COULD NOT FIND ONE SINGLE THING WE DID TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SALVATION. IT WAS THE FATHERS PLAN TO BLESS US IN CHRIST AND TO CHOOSE US IN CHRIST. AND THEN HE NOT ONLY CHOSE US AND BLESSED US IN CHRIST BUT HE ADPOTED US INTO HIS FAMILY. IT IS ONE THING TO BE INVITED INTO A KINGDOM BUT ANOTHER TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. BLESSED, CHOSEN , ADOPTED, REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THE SON AND SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE WHICH IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE. NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY PAUL USES 202 WORDS IN THESE 12 VERSES WHICH MAKE UP ONE SENTENCE. IT IS IF HE CAN'T STOP PRAISING GOD.

AND THOSE OF US IN CHRIST, OUGHT PRAISE HIM AS WELL. THANK GOD FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT ARE OURS IN CHRIST JESUS.
THE WORD TODAY IS LET'S TAKE OUR EYES OFF OF OUR PROBLEMS AND FOCUS ON OUR PRIVILEGES THAT ARE GIVEN TO US IN CHRIST JESUS. PRAISE GOD THIS DAY FOR THE GREATNESS OF HIS PLAN AND THE GREATNESS OF OUR PRIVILEGES IN CHRIST JESUS. HALLELUAH!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR THE LAMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU LORD

2008-02-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

Today, I was sitting in the ATLANTA AIRPORT, waiting to board a flight. I was very anxious to get home and see my loving wife and my precious daughter. Little did I know, God was about to speak.
I met a soldier of the United States Army, he was on his way back to Iraq after having only two weeks home with his family. We began to talk, and I could here the heaviness of his heart leaving his wife and daughter. He said, they never say "GOOD BYE, JUST SEE YOU LATER."
Here I am anxious to get home to my wife and only child, and here is a brother about to leave his wife and only child going to a place where danger is all around him. I was humbled and immediately started to think how I don't thank God enough for how merciful He has been to me. I was wanting to get home to rest and relax with my family and here was a man leaving his family going into harms way that I might be safe with my family. I tried to encourage him but I was somewhat lost for words. I did pray with Him and I promised to continue to pray for him and his family. His name is Carlos Arrieta. Sharon is his wife's name and Jasmine is his fifteen year old daughter. Please join with me in praying that God is pleased to keep them safe and bring them back together as a family.
We need to fall on our face and repent for our selfishness and ingratitude for the unseen grace and mercy of God in our lives. Here is one who wants to be with his family and can't and we can and don't. God forgive us.

God, please watch and keep Carlos from hurt and harm if this is your will. Please God comfort Sharon and Jasmine while he is away. Please God, I know you are the God of Comfort. I pray if they don't know you in the pardon of their sin that you will save them by your grace. God use them as a testimony of your Sovereign Rule. Thank you God, for reminding me of how kind you are to me inspite of me. Please honor this prayer for Christ' sake and for Your Glory and our good. It is in Jesus Name I Pray, AMEN.

PURSUIT OF PERFECTION

2008-01-21T08:08:00.000-08:00

PURSUIT OF PERFECTION IS AN INTERESTING PHRASE. I HAVE MEDITATED ON IT VERY HARD. WHAT IS IT ABOUT PERFECTION THAT WE DON'T LIKE? IS IT THE KNOWN FACT OF OUR OWN IMPERFECTION? MOST PEOPLE WOULD READILY ADMIT THEY ARE NOT PERFECT. HOWEVER, SHOULD THIS JUSTIFY OUR NONE PURSUIT OF IT? SO THAT WE WILL HAVE A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF OUR DISCUSSION, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO DEFINE WHAT I MEAN WHEN I TALK ABOUT PURSUIT OF PERFECTION.

WEBSTER DEFINES PERFECTION AS AN EXTREME DEGREE OF EXCELLENCE ACCORDING TO A GIVEN STANDARD. TO BE PERFECT IS TO COMPLETE IN ALL RESPECTS, WITHOUT DEFECT, WITHOUT FLAW OR OMISSION. IT MEANS FLAWLESS, WITHOUT ERROR. THESE ARE DEFINITIONS FROM WEBSTER.

IT IS MY BELIEF THAT ALL HUMANS ARE BORN IN SIN AND SHAPENED IN INIQUITY. THUS, SIN IS AN HINDERANCE TO OUR REACHING PERFECTION. SO WE WOULD AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT NO ONE IS PERFECT. SHOULD MY INABILITY STOP MY PURSUIT IS THE QUESTION?

THE WORD PERFECT IN THE BIBLE IS THE GREEK WORD "TELEIOS" WHICH MEANS TO COMPLETE OR MATURITY, REACHING A GOAL SET BEFORE YOU, TO ATTAIN A MORAL END. THIS IS THE SENSE OF THE WORD IN WHICH I SPEAK, NOT FLAWLESS BUT A MATURING IN A MORAL SENSE.

THIS PHRASE "PURSUIT OF PERFECTION" HAS TAKEN ME CAPTIVE. NOW, ONLY GOD IS PERFECT IN AN ABSOLUTE SENSE. MANS' PERFERTION IS RELATIVE TO THE STANDARD GOD HAS SET BEFORE HIM. IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PURSUE THE STANDARD THAT GOD HAS SET BEFORE US, WHICH IS OBEDIENCE IN CHRIST.

IN THE FOOTBALL WORLD, THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS HAVE BEEN ON THE PUSUIT OF PERFECTION, BY TRYING TO HAVE AN UNDEFEATED SEASON. THEY ARE 18-0, THEY HAVE NOT LOST A GAME. THEY HAVE ONE MORE GAME TO PLAY TO REACH THE DESIRED GOAL. I HAVE WATCHED AND LEARNED MUCH FROM THEM AS I PURSUE PREFECTION IN CHRIST.

THIS IS WHAT I HAVE WATCHED AND LEARNED FROM THEM.
1. THERE IS A TEAM GOAL AND STANDARD SET, TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL
2. TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE GAME BEFORE THEM
3. EVERY PLAYER MUST TAKE HIS ASSIGNMENT SERIOUS
4. EVERY PLAYER MUST DO HIS JOB
5. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE DISTRACTIONS
6. THE TEAM OPERATES AS A FAMILY
7. THEY ONLY RUN THE PLAYS THAT THE COACH CALLS
8. WHEN ONE PLAYER IS NOT HAVING A GOOD GAME SOME ONE ELSE STEPS UP
9. NO ONE PLAYER IS BIGGER THAN THE TEAM
10. THEY DON'T ALLOW SITUATIONS TO EFFECT THEIR DEDICATION

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PERFECT ACCORDING TO WEBSTER'S DEFINITION. THEY HAVE FUMBLED BALLS, DROPPED PASSES, PENALTIES CALLED ON THEM, THROWN INTERCEPTIONS, MISSED TACKLES AND MISSED BLOCKS, BUT NONE OF THESE HAVE HINDERED THEIR PURSUIT OF PERFECTION. I BELIEVE THERE IS MUCH TO BE LEARNED IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. WE FUMBLE IN SIN, WE DROP THE BALL IN DISOBEDIENCE, WE HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR ILLEGAL PROCEDURES, BUT OUR GOAL SHOULD REMAIN THE SAME, "THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION." PAUL SAYS IN PHILLIPPIANS 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. WORD FELLOWSHIP REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH, OUR THEME FOR 2008 IS PURSUIT OF PERFECTION WITH SINGLE MINDED DEVOTION TO GOD. JOIN WITH US AND PRAY THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST EVERYWHERE WILL BE ON A PURSUIT OF PERFECTION.

FAITH, FAMILY, AND FOOTBALL

2007-02-05T10:16:00.000-08:00

I WAS TREMENDOUSLY ENCOURAGE BY THE HEAD-COACH OF THE COLTS, TONY DUNGY. GOD HAS USED THIS BROTHER AS A WITNESS OF WHAT HE CAN DO IN TO AND THROUGH OUR LIVESAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIORITIES. LET ME BE CLEAR, I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT DUNGY'S DOCTRINAL CONVICTIONS. HOWEVER, IT WAS REFRESHING TO HEAR HIM SHARE THAT GOD (JESUS CHRIST HE OPENLY SAID) COMES FIRST IN HIS LIFE, THEN HIS FAMILY THEN FOOTBALL. IT IS REFRESHING TO HEAR EVERYONE SAY THE SAME THINGS ABOUT HIM. THIS SAYS MUCH ABOUT WHO HE IS. MANY REJOICE THAT HE IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN COACH TO BE IN AND WIN A SUPERBOWL. THEY TALK ABOUT HOW ENCOURAGING THIS IS TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND IT SHOULD BE. HOWEVER, NOT JUST TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS, BUT HIS WITNESS TRANSCENDS ETHNICITY. HIS FAITH WAS STRONGLY DEMONSTRATED WHEN HE LOST HIS SIXTEEN YEAR OLD SON AND DID NOT CRUMBLE, GOD HELD HIM TOGETHER. GOD SHELTERED HIS FAMILY FROM THE SCRUTINY AND INTERROGATION OF THE MEDIA. I WAS ENCOURAGED TO KNOW AND SEE PSALMS 46 MANIFESTED IN HIS LIFE. WE MUST LEARN IN LIFE THAT OUR ZONES MUST BE IN ORDER. GOD FIRST, FAMILY SECOND AND OUR PROFESSIONS THIRD. I AM NOW CHALLENGED BY MR. DUNGY TO EXAMINE MY OWN LIFE BEFORE GOD, TO SEE IF MY PRIORITIES ARE IN LINE. WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Some Pictures from Antigua 4

2006-12-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

Pastor Jonas and Brenda leaving the guest house where we stayed (left)

The boat we took over to Jumby Bay. Let us go over to the other side. (right)

Some Pictures from Antigua 3

2006-12-04T11:53:00.000-08:00

Brenda enjoying the sunshine and fresh air early in the morning. (left)

Jumby Bay is where we enjoyed lunch. (right)
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! What a Mighty God we serve! There are times we must visit Marah, but thank God for Elim. Never get too comfortable in either for they are both camp sites.

Some Pictures from Antigua 2

2006-12-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

A boat ride across the Caribbean Sea. (left)

The construction of the new church Covenant Baptist and Pastor Jonas checking on progress. (right)

Unless the Lord builds the house they that labor, labor in vain. Whatever you do do it to the Glory of God.

Some Pictures from Antigua 1

2006-12-04T11:17:00.000-08:00

Sunday Morning Worship at Central Baptist Church. (left)
Pastor Jonas and a family after the asking of God's blessings on their baby. (center)
Fellowship Dinner after Sunday Morning Worship. (right)

MY TRIP TO ANTIGUA

2006-12-04T10:11:00.000-08:00

I was invited to preach in Antigua. I left on November 25th and returned on December 2nd, it was a wonderful experience. It is a very beautiful island as you can see. It was their Annual Harvest Weeek of Revival Services. I preached for them last year as a fill-in for my dear friend and brother, Anthony Carter. Last year I went alone. However, this year was most delightful, because my wife and daughter were able to make the trip with me. It was sort of a preaching-vacation. It was much needed for me and my family. Pastor Hensworth Jonas was our very gracious and hospitable host. He actually far exceeded the definition of kindness to me and my family. Pastor Jonas is doing a great work serving as Presiding-Elder of three churches, Central Baptist, Tyrells Baptist and Covenant Baptist, in Antigua. He also serves as the principal of the Baptist Academy of Antigua, which he started 12 years ago with thirteen students and now they serve over four hundred. The school on last year had the highest test scores in math and science on the island. God is blessing their work tremendously. He is a very humble and loving brother.

On Sunday the 26th of November, I preached at Tyrells at 8:00 a.m., Central at 10:00 a.m. and again at Central at 6:00 p.m. The people were very attentive to the preaching of the gospel and they had a wonderful music minstry in which Pastor Jonas is the minister of music. I preached from I Kings 17 at the two morning services. I entitled the message "LIVING BY THE BROOK." It was a message to encourage us to trust God to supply our needs inspite of circumstances. I shared that God requires preparation before performance. Cherith was preparation Mt. Carmel was performance. We must trust and obey at Cherith to be productive at Mt. Carmel. Many of the people came to me and said they were helped and challenged by the word.

I also preached Monday thru Friday, my messages were all evangelistic. Many made professions to Christ and I am waiting to hear from Pastor Jonas on the examinations of their professions. It is a blessing to be used of God for His Glory and our good. It was a meeting I will never forget.

To God Be The Glory!

SUNDAY WORSHIP @ WORD FELLOWSHIP

2006-11-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

TODAY WAS OUR FIRST WORSHIP SERVICE IN A DIFFERENT WORSHIP FACILITY. IN OUR FOUR MONTHS EXISTENCE GOD HAS SHOWN FAVOR TO US AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE FACILITY WE WOSHIPPED IN TODAY IS REALLY A NICE PLACE. I WAS GLAD TO SEE SO MANY OUT IN WORSHIP. WE HAD SEVERAL VISITORS WITH US TODAY. I PREACHED FROM JOHN 13:2-17. WE WERE CHALLENGED AND EXHORTED BY THIS TEXT. THE SUBJECT WAS THE MINISTRY OF HUMILITY. ANDREW MURRAY IN HIS BOOK ON HUMILITY, HE SAYS HUMILITY IS OUR GREATEST NEED. HE SAYS HUMILITY IS THE SOIL OF ALL GRACES. JESUS GAVE A WONDERFUL DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT TRUE HUMILITY IS IN THE TEXT. HE WAS HUMBLE INSPITE OF HIS PROMINENT POSITION, INSPITE OF PROVIDENTIAL PROBLEMS AND INSPITE OF PITIFUL PEOPLE. AFTER GIVING THE DISCIPLES AN ILLUSTRATION OF HUMILITY, HE THEN EXHORTS THEM TO DO TO ONE ANOTHER WHAT HE HAD DONE FOR THEM. THIS IS NOT ABOUT A DIVINE PEDICURE. THE FEET WASHING IS CONNECTED TO THE CROSS. THIS WAS JUST A SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE HUMILIATION THAT WOULD COME AT CALVARY. IN THIS TEXT HE IS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES AND US THAT WE ARE MORALLY OBLIGED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER REGARDLESS OF PERSONAL DIGNITY. WE WERE CHALLENGED TO BE ON GUARD OF PRIDE, FOR OFTEN THE DANGER IS THE ONE STRUCK BY IT DOESN'T KNOW HE'S BEEN HIT. DON'T ALLOW YOUR POSITION OR PROBLEMS TO HINDER YOU IN YOUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO LOVE AND MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUR BROTHER AND SISTER. WE PRAISE GOD FOR A WONDERFUL DAY OF WORSHIPPING OUR SOVERIEGN GOD.

FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!

TAKING TIME TO SAY THANKS

2006-11-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

INGRATITUDE IS BORN IN THE WOMB OF AMNESIA. MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ONE THAT ALWAYS TAUGHT ME TO SAY THANKS. SHE WOULD SAY NO ONE OWES YOU ANYTHING. WHEN PEOPLE ARE KIND, WE SHOULD NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

THIS PAST SUNDAY WORD FELLOWSHIP HAD PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY, WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN THE LORD. THEN WE HAD A GREAT FELLOWSHIP OVER DINNER. WE WERE FED SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

MY GOOD FRIEND, PASTOR ROMEL WILLIAMS WAS OUR GUEST PREACHER, HE IS FROM CHICAGO AND IS THE PASTOR OF LILYDALE PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH. IT WAS SO REFRESHING TO BE WITH HIM AND SHARE AND TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING. HE PREACHED FROM COLOSSIANS 1:24-29, HIS SUBJECT WAS A PASSION FOR CHRIST. HE DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF UNPACKING THE TEXT IN A WAY THAT EVEN THE CHILDREN WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SERMON. GOD USED HIM GREATLY.

I AM JUST WRITING TO SAY THANKS, TO GOD FIRST FOR WITHOUT HIM WE ARE NOTHING AND TO WORD FELLOWSHIP TAKING TIME TO SAY WE APPRECIATE YOU AND ROMEL FOR COMING AND TELLING THE TRUTH ON JESUS. IT IS MY PRAYER THE CHURCH NOT FORGET TO TAKE TIME TO SHOW LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WHO LABOR FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL. WE ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. SOMETIMES JUST A CARD OR A WARM SMILE CAN BE EXTREMELY ENCOURAGING. SO WHEN WE RECIEVE LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, LET'S NOT FORGET TO SAY THANKS.

FOR THE SUMPREMACY OF CHRIST IN ALL THINGS

WE KNOW NOT WHAT A DAY MAY BRING

2006-11-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

I HAVE BEEN TEACHING ON THE LIFE OF JOSEPH IN BIBLE STUDY. IT HAS SERVED AS A GREAT SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT, CHALLENGE AND CONVICTION. WE KNOW NOT WHAT A DAY MAY BRING, BUT AS A BELIEVER IN CHRIST WE KNOW WHO BRINGS THE DAY. GOD IS PROVIDENTIALLY WORKING IN THE AFFAIRS OF LIFE. WE REJECT THE VIEW OF THE DEIST, WHO BELIEVES GOD IS CREATOR BUT IS NOT OPERATIVE IN THE AFFAIRS OF LIFE.

JOSEPH HAD NO CLUE WHAT HE WOULD ENCOUNTER ON THAT DAY HIS FATHER SENT HIM TO CHECK ON HIS BROTHERS; HAD HE KNOWN WHAT HIS BROTHERS WERE GOING TO DO, MAYBE HE WOULD HAVE RETURNED WHEN HE DIDN'T FIND THEM IN SHECHEM.
LAST NIGHT, WE LOOKED GENESIS 37:28-36. JOSEPH WAS ACTING IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS FATHER AND FIND HIMSELF IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION. HOWEVER, THIS WAS ALL THE PLAN AND WILL OF GOD. GOD DID NOT CAUSE HIS BROTHERS TO ACT AS THEY DID, BUT GOD IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF JOSEPH'S LIFE. WE LOOKED FIRST AT:
1. THE ACTIONS OF HIS BROTHERS
A. DEVIOUS
B. DEADLY
C. DECEITFUL

REUBEN THE OLDEST BROTHER KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WAS WRONG, BUT HE WAS NOT WILLING TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH HE KNEW. WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT YOU OUGHT TO DO RIGHT.

2. THE DECEPTION OF HIS BROTHERS
SIN MAY START AS A SMALL THING, BUT UNDEALT WITH IT WILL INCREASE. IN THEIR ACTIONS THERE WAS NO STAND FOR TRUTH, BUT IN THEIR DECEPTION THERE WAS THE SILENCE OF TRUTH, AS THEY STAND BEFORE THEIR FATHER. THEY PRESENTED HIM WITH FALSE EVIDENCE FOR HIM TO MAKE A FALSE CONCLUSION. JACOB CONCLUDES HIS SON IS DEAD. THEY CAME HOME DELIBERATELY TO DECEIVE THEIR FATHER.

IT IS INTERESTING TO LOOK AT THEIR DECEPTION TO JACOB AND JACOBS DECEPTION OF ISAAC IN GEN. 27. THE SAME INGREDIENTS
LIED TO FATHER
LIED ABOUT BROTHER
USE OF CLOTHING IN DECEPTION
USE OF A GOAT
LESSON: BE NOT DECEIVED GOD IS NOT MOCKED. OUR SIN HAS A WAY OF COMING BACK TO US AND ON US.

3. THE RESPONSE OF JACOB
JACOBS HEART IS BROKEN, HIS SON WHO HE LOVES GREATLY HE BELIEVES HE IS DEAD. THE BROTHERS STAND THERE. HOW CAN THEY COMFORT THEIR FATHER?

THROUGH THIS STUDY WE JOSEPH AS A TYPE OF CHRIST, NOT IN CHARACTER BUT IN CIRCUMSTANCES.
1. SENT BY HIS FATHER
2. TO FIND HIS BROTHERS
3. REJECTED AND HATED
4. SOLD FOR MONEY

SO JACOB THINKS JOSEPH IS DEAD. GEN. 37:35 SAYS HE WEPT FOR HIS SON. NOTICE EVEN THOUGH HE WEPT HE HAD HOPE OF SEEING HIM AGAIN. I THES. 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

SO INSPITE OF THE ACTIONS OF THE BROTHERS AND THE DECEPTION OF THE BROTHERS AND THE RESPONSE OF JACOB, THE CHAPTER DOES NOT END WITH VERSE 35 IT ENDS WITH VERSE 36 THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. JACOB RECKONED THAT JOSEPH WAS DEAD BUT HE WAS ALIVE. ALL THAT JOSEPH HAS EXPERIENCED HE IS YET ALIVE. AFTER THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST MANY TODAY RECKON THAT HE IS DEAD. THIS IS NOT SO HE WAS DEAD BUT HE IS ALIVE FOREVER MORE. HALLELUAH TO THE LAMB!

REGARDLESS OF WHAT A DAY MAY BRING, GOD WORKS IT ALL FOR THE GOOD OF THEM THAT LOVE THE LORD AND ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
Romans 8:28

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY

2006-10-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

I AM IN MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY. I ARRIVED HERE ON WEDNESDAY. A FRIEND OF MIND WAS SCHEDULED TO DO A THREE DAY REVIVAL FOR THE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH. DUE TO SOME CHANGES IN HIS SHCEDULE HE COULD NOT COME AND I WAS INVITED. THIS WAS VERY SHORT NOTICE BUT THINGS ARE GOING WELL. THE PASTOR IS BROTHER LEON SIMMS, A VERY NICE AND HOSPITABLE MAN. HE HAS BEEN VERY KIND. THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY RECEPTIVE TO THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL. MANY HAVE SHARED WITH ME THAT THE PREACHING WAS JUST WHAT THEY NEEDED AND THEY FELT GOD SENT ME TO CONFRONT THEM ON WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR WALK WITH HIM. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME I CLOSE OUT TONIGHT. PRAY THAT GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED AND THE SAINTS EDIFIED. FOR THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST IN ALL THINGS!

WORD FELLOWSHIP

2006-10-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

I AM THANKFUL TO GOD FOR THE PEOPLE AT WORDFELLOWSHIP. THE FAITHFULNESS AND COMMITMENT THEY HAVE SHOWN TO GOD AND THE CHURCH IS TO BE COMMENDED. IT IS A BLESSING WHEN THE PEOPLE OF GOD ARE ON ONE ACCORD. THIS NOT TO SAY WE AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT THERE IS A MUTUAL RESPECT FOR EVERYONE. WE FIND OUR AGREEMENT IN THE LORD. WHAT OUR REDEEMER DECLARES, NOT WHAT WE THINK OR HOW WE FEEL. IT IS A PRIVILEGE AND PLEASURE TO PASTOR A PEOPLE, WHO LOVE GOD AND THE THINGS OF GOD. PLEASE PRAYER FOR US THAT GOD WILL KEEP US YIELDED TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD. IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT MANIFESTING HIMSELF AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE. I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR MYSELF THAT GOD WOULD KEEP ME HUMBLE AND THANKFUL FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO LEAD SUCH A PEOPLE. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

OPRAH'S TEACHING IS DANGEROUS

2006-10-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR ALONG TIME CHRISTIAN PEOPLE NEED TO STEER CLEAR OF OPRAH. SHE IS VERY DANGEROUS WITH HER NEW AGE TEACHING. I KNOW SHE IS RICH AND FAMOUS AND BLACK, BUT HER TEACHING IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH SCRIPTURE. SHE IS NOT A CHRISTIAN. WE NEED TO PRAY FOR HER SALVATION. SHE IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE DEVIL. I JOHN 4 TEACHES ANYONE WHO DENIES JESUS CHRIST COMING IN THE FLESH IS GOD IS OF THE ANTI-CHRIST. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT FOR YOUSELF. OPRAH

BETTER NOT BITTER

2006-10-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

AS I REFLECT OVER GOD'S SOVEREIGN HAND IN MY LIFE, I CAN HONESTLY SAY I AM BETTER NOT BITTER. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SHARE WHAT GOD HAS TAKEN YOU THROUGH, IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL YOU CAN SOUND ANGRY. I APOLOGIZE IF THIS IS THE WAY IT SEEMED AS I TRIED TO SHARE MY RECENT EXPERIENCES. I AM NOT BITTER I AM BETTER. I BELIEVE THE BIBLE AND I BELIEVE ROMANS 8:28, NOT SOMETHINGS BUT ALL THINGS ARE WORKING FOR MY GOOD. DO I ALWAYS LIVE IN THE REALITY OF THIS TRUTH? NO. I AM A SINNER SAVED BY GRACE. AS A BORN-AGAIN BELIEVER IN CHRIST, WE STILL SIN. BEING A SAVED MAN I AM NOT STOIC, NOR DO I THINK WE SHOULD ADOPT THEIR TEACHING. WHEN WE KNOW WE HAVE BEEN TREATED UNJUST IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO MAKE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE ACTS AND THE ACTORS. WHEN THESE THINGS OCCUR, WE DON'T NATURALLY RESPOND BY SAYING, "I HATE THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DESTROY MY LIFE, BUT I LOVE YOU. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE THE ACT AND THE ACTOR AT THAT TIME. GOD SUPPLIES THE GRACE NEEDED AS WE GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. HOWEVER, TODAY MY HEART IS FREE OF GRUDGES AND RETALIATION. THE BIBLE SAYS, GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT. I BELIEVE BITTERNESS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING. IF BITTERNESS SETS UP ROOT IT WILL CONTAMINATE YOUR FRUIT. I DO WISH GOD'S RICHES BLESSINGS UPON ALL OF HIS PEOPLE. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO SPEND TIME WISH BAD ON OTHERS. THE BIBLE TELLS ME NOT TO GLORY IN THE FAILURE OR WEAKNESSES OF OTHER. I MADE A STATEMENT ON MY BLOG SAYING, "I AM BACK". I DID MEAN THAT IN ANY ARROGANCE OR CONCEIT, I SIMPLY MEANT, THAT I AM FINDING TIME TO BLOG MORE. TRIALS AND TROUBLES WILL ALWAYS COME, HOW WILL WE HANDLE THEM? WILL THEY MAKE US BITTER OR BETTER. WHEN CONFLICT ARISES THE FIRST PLACE TO EXAMINE IS ONES SELF. MUCH OF MY TIME THESE DAYS IS BEING USED FOR SELF EXAMINATION IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE LORD. PRAYING AND ASKING HIM TO MAKE ME A PASTOR WHO LOVES HIM AND HIS PEOPLE, AND THE EVIDENCE OF THIS IS A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE. I AM BETTER NOT BITTER. PLEASE PRAY FOR MY GROWTH AND MATURITY IN CHRIST.

FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!

BASKETBALL TRYOUTS

2006-10-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

MY ELEVEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS TRYING OUT FOR THE BASKETBALL TEAM AT HER SCHOOL. KLOE IS HER NAME. I WAS EXCITED ABOUT HER DESIRE TO PLAY, SINCE I AM A BIG SPORTS FAN AND I PLAYED MYSELF. KLOE'S FIRST PRACTICE CONSISTED OF RUNNING RUNNING AND RUNNING. SHE DID NOT LIKE THIS. SHE SAID WE NEVER TOUCHED A BALL. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO HER BASKETBALL REQUIRES BEING IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION. SHE DECIDED SHE WAS GOING TO QUIT, BUT I WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO QUIT. I TOLD HER SHE NEEDED TO HANG IN THERE AND GIVE HERSELF A CHANCE. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF TRYOUTS, I WENT AND WATCHED HER YESTERDAY SHE REALLY DID A GOOD JOB. I THINK SHE WILL MAKE THE TEAM. I LEARNED A GREAT LESSON OF LIFE FROM THIS. SO OFTEN IN LIFE WE WANT TO ENJOY THE ACTIVITY WITH NO PREPARATION AND HARD WORK. WE WILL ONLY GROW IN LIFE AS WE DO THE NECESSARY WORK OF PREPARTION.

MY PRAYER TODAY IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF GOD WILL BE COMMITTED TO HARD WORK AND PREPARATION SO WE CAN BE GOOD AND READY WHEN GOD PLACES US IN THE GAME OF HIS SERVICE.

KLOE HAS NOW LEARNED THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE THAT SHE MUST DO SOME THINGS THAT SHE DOESN'T LIKE IN ORDER TO DO SOMETHINGS SHE LOVES.

FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!

THE LIFE OF JOSEPH

2006-10-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

I HAVE JUST STARTED A STUDY ON THE LIFE OF JOSEPH. THIS STUDY WAS MOTIVATED BY A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH A FRIEND OF MINE HB CHARLES JR.
I HAVE BEEN BLESSED IN THIS STUDY. IT HAS CHALLENGED ME IN HOW I VEIW SITUATIONS I FIND MYSELF IN. SO OFTEN WE ONLY SEE WHAT OTHER ARE DOING TO US AND WE MISS GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL HAND. SAYING GOD IS SOVEREIGN AND LIVING IN THAT REALITY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. AS I HAVE CONTINUED IN THIS STUDY, I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE TO SEE AND HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO ME. I STARTED TEACHING ON THE LIFE OF JOSEPH TWO WEEKS AGO. I LOOKED AT:
1. THE PERSONALITY OF JOSEPH
2. THE PARTICULAR LOVE JOSEPH
3. THE PROPHETIC MESSAGE OF JOSEPH

I WAS EXTREMEY BLESSED AS A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL AND AS A CHILD OF GOD. JOSEPH'S DREAM WAS REJECTED BY HIS BROTHERS, EVEN TO THE POINT THAT THEY COULD NOT SPEAK PEACEABLY TO HIM. THIS REMINDED ME THAT SAYING WHAT GOD SAYS WILL NOT MAKE YOU THE FAN FAVORITE. NOW THIS DREAM CAME FROM GOD THAT'S WHY I CALL IT A PROPHETIC MESSAGE. THEY WERE NOT REJECTING WHAT JOSEPH MADE UP BUT WHAT GOD HAD SAID. THIS REMINDED ME OF MY RESPONSIBILITY TO SOUND BIBLICAL EXPOSITION. HIS FATHER EVEN REBUKE HIM FOR HIS MESSAGE, BUT THE SCRIPTURE SAID HIS FATHER KEPT THIS SAYING IN MIND.

SO I WAS ENCOURAGE TO KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH MANY WILL REJECT GOD'S WORD SOMEBODY WILL KEEP IN MIND GOD'S WORD. I AM ENCOURAGE BY JOSEPH'S LIFE EVENTHOUGH HE GOES THROUGH MUCH DIFFICULTY FROM THE HANDS OF MEN AND THEIR EVIL INTENTIONS. GOD HAS INTENTIONS FOR JOSEPH'S LIFE THAT EXCEED THE INTENTIONS OF MEN. HIS LIFE TEACHES US NOT TO FOCUS ON OUR SITUATIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT FOCUS ON OBEDIENCE AND FAITHFULNESS TO GOD. HE IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. PRAISE GOD! WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BE SUCCESSFUL BUT FAITHFUL. MAY THOSE WHO ARE CALLED BY GOD BE FOUND FAITHFUL.

R.E.A.L MEN CONFERENCE

2006-10-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

I AM CURRENTLY IN CLEVELAND, OHIO AT THE MT. HERMON BAPTIST CHURCH WITH MY DEAR FRIEND AND PASTOR, ERIC WALDON. THE MEN OF THE CHURCH HAVE A CONFERENCE IN WHICH THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR ATTENDING AS GUEST PREACHER. THE MENS MINISTRY IS CALL R.E.A.L. MEN FOR CHRIST. THE THEME THIS YEAR IS "THE BIBLE". IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL ATTENDED.WE STARTED LAST NIGHT WITH SINGING, PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE. THEN A VISITING PREACHER DID AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION, HIS NAME IS ELDER GEORGE HORNE JR. PASTOR OF NEW PILGRIM REST BAPTIST CHURCH, HE DID A WONDERFUL JOB. THEN WE ALL SUNG SONGS OF PRAISE AND I PREACHED FROM JOHN 5, "EVERYTHING WE NEED IS IN THE BIBLE". THE LORD BLESSED.

TODAY WE STARTED AT 8:30 A.M., THERE WAS A MALE GOSPEL GROUP WHO OPENED UP WITH SINGING. THE GROUP WAS CALLED "HIS DIVINE CREATION", THEY WERE EXCELLENT IN VOCALS AND THE CONTENT OF THEIR SONGS WERE THEOLOGICALLY SOUND. THERE WAS AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF ACTS AND THE EPISTLE TO ROMANS. THEY PREPARED A GREAT LUNCH AND THERE WAS A LECTURE ON PROSTATE TESTING. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE, GOD IS REALLY BLESSING MT. HERMON'S MENS MINISTRY. MY CLOSING SERMON WAS ON MATT. 5:16, GOD WAS PLEASED TO ALLOW ME TO ENCOURAGE THE BROTHERS TO TAKE WHAT WE LEARNED AND ALLOW IT TO SHINE IN OUR LIVING FOR GOD'S GLORY AND OUR GOOD. THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD MEETING. WELL PRAY FOR ME I WILL PREACH TOMMORROW AT THEIR 11:00 A.M. MORNING WORSHIP. MY DESIRE IS TO TELL THE TRUTH ON JESUS. ELDER SPENCER WILSON WILL BE PREACHING AT WORD FELLOWSHIP PRAY FOR HIM AS WELL. I AM THANKFUL TO HAVE A FAITHFUL BROTHER WHO CAN CARRY ON WHEN I AM AWAY. TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE, HE IS DOING, AND HE WILL DO. FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!

THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

2006-09-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

PS.37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Now here is a verse which every CHRISTIAN loves v 4a - "delight yourself in the Lord", a call to be abundantly satisfied in God. This is the essence of godliness! To seek our happiness in God. Enjoy Him forever!
But in the context here, it's a call to see yourself as in the enviable position of knowing God! There will be no deliverance from craving & fretting over what the wicked have if we do not learn to place our renewed desires fully where they belong - In the Lord!

This is a verse often misunderstood.
What does this mean in practical terms? It may sound nice, but what does it truly call for?
1. It means that a man may be genuinely happy without many things but with the blessings he has in the Lord. (Eph. 1:3)
2. It means that a man may be genuinely happy inspite of his present conditions and circumstances. (Phil. 4:11,13)

Today a very good friend and mentor of mine died, Bro. Uvern Clay. He had been fighting a battle with cancer. I would call and talk with him and he was still Delighting In The Lord. He was often in great pain and often too much pain to even eat. How could he find delight? The delight was in the Lord, not in circumstances. He understood that his pain was the prelude of the harping of God's angels. He was experiencing a temporary inconvenience for a permanent convenience.

Now we suffer for the Name of our Lord, but one day we shall reign with Him. The crown of eternal life is awaiting us above.
He was focused on what he had in the Lord, not what he was experiencing. Only God can produce this in us. What a God!

V 4b - the 2nd half assures that God will "give you the desires of your heart", when this is your state of mind. Literally, He gives you your askings, your requests. But I thought we should not have all those desires if I fix my delight on the Lord? Well, I think what this must mean is firstly, a hunger & thirst for righteousness will be filled. It is true that God gives some things to His disciples merely because they are delighted in Him. For instance, the case of Solomon, who wanted first to be wise so as to be pleasing to God, & got along with much he did not ask for. But more than that, the disciple gets what he desires because what he desires is God Himself.
I believe this verse is not about my own self-ish desires, not what I want but what to want. What is it that should be desired more of a Christian than GOD HIMSELF?
And it is everywhere promised that those who earnestly seek Him will find Him.
He who loves God is a new creation & has new desires. He is satisfied with what God gives. The fact that we are delighted in God regulates our desires. The fact that you do find your happiness in God will be a reason why He will grant many of your desires. As for the things you do not receive, well, I know no mark more characteristic of the person delighted in God, than contentment. O God teach us to Delight in you that our Desires will be for you.

Thank you Lord for sending Uvern Clay my way, I know it was an expression of your grace and favor toward me. For you have used him to teach me so much about life and who you are. Please Lord never let me forget how kind you have been to me through this brother's life and never let me forget the one he kept pointing me to, the Lord Jesus.

LORD GIVE ME NOT WHAT I WANT BUT WHAT TO WANT.
FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!

Kansas City, MO

2006-09-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

I WAS IN KANSAS CITY, MO SEPTEMBER 19-21 PREACHING REVIVAL SERVICES AT THE MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH. MY VERY CLOSE FRIEND AND BROTHER IN THE LORD, REV. JON BROOKS IS THE PASTOR. I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME THERE. I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS MEETING FOR THREE YEARS. THERE IS SUCH A SWEET SWEET SPIRIT IN THERE CHURCH. I CAN'T THINK OF ANY CHURCH WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE SO LOVING IN THE MOST AUTHENTIC WAY. PASTOR BROOKS JUST GOT MARRIED RECENTLY AND IS THE NEW PROUD FATHER OF A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY, JON LESLIE BROOKS II. I GOT A CHANCE TO MEET HIS WIFE AND THE BABY. THEY ARE BOTH ADORABLE. PLEASE KEEP THIS CHURCH IN YOUR PRAYERS, THEY ARE BUILDING A NEW CHURCH BUILDING THAT WILL SEAT 1500, WITH CLASS ROOMS AND YOUTH CENTER. MY MESSAGE TO THEM WAS DON'T ALLOW THE NEW FACILITY TO KILL THE OLD SPIRIT THAT RESIDES AMONG THEM. TRUE WORSHIP IS NOT IN A PLACE BUT IN A PERSON, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. PASTOR BROOKS HAS BEEN GIFTED BY GOD TO DISPLAY SUCH A WONDERFUL SHEPHERD SHEEP RELATIONSHIP IN THE CHURCH GOD HAS PLACED HIM. IF YOU ARE EVER IN KANSAS CITY, MO STOP BY MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH ON 25TH AND BENTON, YOU WILL BE BLESSED.

FROM AUSTIN TO DALLAS

2006-09-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2006 I FLEW INTO AUSTIN, TEXAS. A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE PICKED ME UP AT THE AIRPORT. I WAS TREATED VERY KIND. MY FRIEND, PASTOR KENNEDY YOUNG ALLOWED ME TO PREACH FOR HIM THAT SUNDAY AT THE OLIVET MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH. IT WAS A WONDERFUL WORSHIP EXPERIENCE. PASTOR YOUNG IS A VERY COMMITTED PREACHER TO SOUND BIBLICAL TEACHNG. HE IS DOING A WONDERFUL JOB WITH DISCIPLE TRAINING IN THE OLIVET CHURCH. WE ENJOYED THE 6:00PM COMMUNION SERVICE THAT SUNDAY, THEN WE HIT THE ROAD HEADED FOR DALLAS. THIS WAS ABOUT A TWO AND AN HALF HOUR DRIVE. I HAD A WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP WITH PASTOR YOUNG AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR MORE OF HIS HEART AND CONCERNS FOR MINISTRY.

IN DALLAS WE ATTENDED THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION, WHICH WAS A VERY INTERESTING SESSION. THE THEME WAS "WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH?" THERE WERE SEVERAL SERMONS AND LECTURES DEALING WITH THE THEME. I WAS BLESSED BY ALL I HEARD. THIS WAS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SEE MANY FRIENDS IN MINISTRY AND SHARE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MY NEW WORK. MANY EXPRESSED THAT THEY ARE PRAYING FOR US AND WANTED TO KNOW HOW THEY CAN HELP. THIS WAS A GOOD WEEK FOR ME, BUT I AM GLAD TO BE BACK HOME WITH MY FAMILY AND CHURCH.

I AM BACK, GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

2006-08-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

I HAVE NOT BLOGGED FOR SOME TIME, I 'M SORRY. I HAVE GONE THROUGH A DIFFICULT SEASON IN MY LIFE. THE FIRST SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY 2005, I TOOK ON THE RESPONSIBILTY OF PASTOR AT THE GARDEN OF PRAYER SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH. I KNEW GOD SENT ME THERE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY THE PURPOSE. I WENT INTO A VERY DIVIDED AND TROUBLING SITUATION. I TRIED HARD TO BRING THE CONGREGATION TOGETHER ONLY TO FIND GREAT RESISTANCE. THERE WAS A GREAT LACK OF DISCIPLINE AND ORDER. MY CALL TO DISCIPLINE AND ORDER ONLY CAUSED SOME TO FIGHT ME MORE AND BLAME ME FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT EXISTED IN THE CHURCH. I WAS PHYSICALLY THREATENED AND VERBALLY ABUSED. IT WAS DIFFICULT DUE TO THE FACT MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE STILL IN ST. LOUIS. I FELT SO ALONE I FELT I HAD NO ONE TO TRUST. GOD WAS TEACHING ME THAT THIS ASSIGNMENT REQUIRED ME TRUSTING HIM AND HIM ALONE. HE PROVED HIMSELF TO BE FAITHFUL TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I LEARNED FROM ELIJAH THAT GOD TEACHES US GREAT LESSONS, "LIVING BY THE BROOK." MY ONLY RESPONSIBILITY WAS TO OBEY GOD. NO MATTER WHAT I DID THEY FOUND FAULT AND BLAME. THERE WAS A MEETING CALLED IN VIOLATION TO THE CHURCH BY-LAWS, BY A MAN WHO I HAD TO REMOVE FROM THE DEACONS BECAUSE OF HIS SOWING DIVISION, HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEACONS. WHEN I CAME TO THE CHURCH HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF DEACONS, FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND COULD SIGN CHECKS ALONE. THIS IS SURELY TOO MANY HATS FOR ONE MAN TO WEAR AT ONE TIME. HIS FAMILY WAS ACCUSTOMED TO BEING IN CHARGE. SO WHEN I REMOVED HIM HE WENT ON A QUEST TO GET RID OF ME. HE CONTACTED MY OLD CHURCH BACK IN ST. LOUIS, WHICH IS BEING RUN BY A GROUP OF EVIL WOMEN. THEY HAVE HAD THREE PASTORS QUIT SINCE I LEFT FEBRUARY 2005. THESE WOMEN TOLD THEM ALL KINDS OF LIES AND SLANDER ABOUT ME WHICH THEY TAPE RECORDED AND PASSED OUT TO ANY THAT WOULD LISTEN. I FELT LIKE MY WORLD WAS CRUMBLING. GOD WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? THESE PEOPLE ARE DESTROYING ME. HE SAID NO THEY ARE DEVELOPING YOU. I AM TEACHING YOU HOW TO TRUST AND DEPEND ON ME. AFTER THEIR ILLEGAL MEETING COULD NOT REMOVE ME, THEIR CALLING THE POLICE COULD NOT REMOVE ME, THEIR THREATS COULD NOT REMOVE ME, GOD HAD ME TO HAVE A CHURCH MEETING. I SAID GOD MEET WITH THESE PEOPLE FOR WHAT THEY ONLY WANT ONE THING ME GONE. GOD HAD ME TO CALL THE MEETING JUNE 24TH. IT WAS THE MOST UNGODLY THING I HAD EVER SEEN. PEOPLE WHO NEVER CAME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL, PRAYER SERVICE OR BIBLE STUDY
SHOWED UP TO VOTE ME OUT. THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OR NOT. I WANTED TO PROPERLY DEAL WITH ALL THEIR ACCUSATION AGAINST ME SO I ALLOWED FOR ANY CHARGES AGAINST ME TO BE HEARD. NOT ONE PERSON HAD ANYTHING TO SAY, THEY JUST WANTED TO VOTE ON MY REMOVAL. ONE OF MY OPPOSERS WHO WAS THE WIFE OF ONE OF THE DEACONS OF THE CHURCH STARTED CUSSING AT A NOTHER SISTER AND HAD TO BE PHYSICALLY HELD. THIS WAS IN THE SANCTUARY. THE WHOLE MEETING WAS OUT OF HAND. NOW WHAT LORD? YOU SAID MEET WITH THEM. I COULD CLEARLY HEAR HIM SAY, OK RESIGN. WHAT? RESIGN LEAVE THIS PLACE. NOW I AM REALLY CONFUSED. HOWEVER, I OBEYED AND RESIGNED VERBALLY ON JUNE 24 2006. I PREACHED MY LAST SERMON AT THE GARDEN AND READ MY RESIGNATION ON JUNE 25 2006. JUNE 26 2006 I CLEANED OUT MY OFFICE. IT WAS AS IF A WEIGHT WAS RELEASED. SERVERAL PEOPLE LEFT WITH ME, I HAD NO IDEA WHERE WE WERE GOING. GOD WAS GETTING THE REMNANT OF HIS PEOPLE OUT OF THAT MESS. SINCE THEN WE HAVE ORGANIZED THE WORD FELLOWSHIP REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH. WE NEVER MISSED A SUNDAY OF WORSHIP NOR BIBLE STUDY. AUGUST 21 2006 WE WERE OFFICIALLY ORGANIZED AND I WAS NAMED PASTOR. WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 75 PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOD AND ARE COMMITTED TO WHAT OUR REDEEMER DECLARES. IT HAS BEEN SO REFRESHING TO PREACH AND TEACH IN A CHURCH WHERE GOD IS BEING GLORIFIED THROUGH A PEOPLE THAT HONOR HIM AND HIS WORD. MY WIFE HAS COMPLETED HER RETIREMENT, MY DAUGHTER IS ENROLLED IN SCHOOL AND WE ARE PRAISING GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS TO US. WE ARE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN. JULY AND AUGUST HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE MOST REFRESHING TIMES FOR ME AND THE NEW CHURCH. I HAVE BEEN TEACHING THROUGH THE BOOK OF JUDGES AND WE WILL START TEACHING THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS THIS COMING SATURDAY. WE HAD A CELEBRATION DINNER THIS PAST SUNDAY FOR A MOTHER IN OUR CHURCH. IT WAS WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP AND FEAST. SHE WAS SO SURPRISED, IT BROUGHT HER TO TEARS OF JOY. I KNOW TIMES MIGHT NOT ALWAYS REMAIN THE SAME BUT WE THANK AND PRAISE GOD FOR THIS DAY. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR MY FAMILY AND THE CHURCH THAT WE WILL BE A SHINING LIGHT IN THE CITY OF GREENSBORO FOR GOD'S GLORY. THEY MEANT IT FOR EVIL BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD. I AM BACK, GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. FOR HIS GLORY ALONE.

Three Enemies Three Voices

2006-06-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

THREE IS AN INTERESTING NUMBER, BIBLICALLY IT IS THE NUMBER OF GOD OR THE TRINITY. WE BELIEVE THERE IS ONE GOD, WHO MANIFEST HIMSELF IN THREE DISTINCT PERSONS, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT. THEY ARE ONE IN ESSENCE AND UNITY YET DISTINCT IN FUNCTION AND TASK. THE FATHER ELECTED A PEOPLE , THE SON ATONED FOR HIS PEOPLE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT SEALED HIS PEOPLE, ONE IN PURPOSE YET DISTINCT IN FUNCTION OR TASK. WHAT A GREAT MYSTERY.

HOWEVER, WHEN I THINK OF THREE I ALSO THINK OF THE THREE GREAT ENEMIES ALL CHRISTIANS MUST BATTLE, THE DEVIL, THE FLESH AND THE WORLD. THEY CONSTANTLY BATTLE FOR OUR DEFEAT. I WAS READING NEHEMIAH CHAPTER 4 AND I WAS GREATLY BLESSED BY IT. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU OUT THERE WHAT I SAW.

THERE ARE THREE VOICES IN THE TEXT. THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE TEXT ARE NOT JUST BUILDING BUT THEY ARE BATTLING. I BELIEVE THE TWO GO TOGETHER. WITH EVERY OPPORTUNITY COMES OPPOSTION. WHENEVER WE INVOLVE OURSELVES IN THE WORK OF THE LORD WE SHOULD EXPECT OPPOSITION TO COME FROM ATLEAST THREE SOURCES THE DEVIL, THE FLESH AND THE WORLD. THE GOAL OF THE ENEMY IN THIS TEXT WAS TO DISCOURAGE NEHEMIAH AND THE PEOPLE OF GOD THAT THEY WOULD STOP DOING THE LORD'S WORK WHICH WAS BUILDING THE WALL.
THEY WANTED TO DISCREDIT THE WORK AND DISCOURAGE THE WORKERS.

READ CHAPTER 4 OF NEHEMIAH, NOTICE THEY TRIED USING SARCASTIC MOCKERY AND SUBTLE MANEUVERS TO DISCOURAGE BUT THE WORKERS HAD A SOUND METHOD INSPITE OF THE OPPOSITION. WHAT WAS THEIR SOUND METHOD? THE TEXT SAYS THEY PRAYED. PRAYER IS HOW WE DEMOSTRATE OUR DEPENDENCY IN GOD. THEY SHOW BY THEIR SOUND METHOD THEY WERE NOT TRUSTING IN THEMSELVES. THE WEAPONS OF A CHRISTIANS WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL.

THEIR SOUND METHODS WAS NOT ONLY PRAYER FOR THE TEXT SAYS THAT THEY ALSO WATCHED. THIS IS WHAT JESUS TELLS US TO WATCH AND PRAY. DON'T FORGET THE ENEMY ALWAYS TRIES TO DISCOURAGE. THE TRUTH IS WE SHOULD NOT BE DISCOURAGED HOWEVER, ADMITLY SO AT TIMES WE ARE. DON'T STOP PRAYING AND DON'T STOP WATCHING.

NOTICE THESE ATTACKS ARE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE. WHEN YOU GET TO VERSE 10 THERE IS A NEW PROBLEM, THREE VOICES. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR US AS WELL, VOICES. WHEN WE ARE INVOLVED IN THE LORD'S WORK THERE WILL ALWAYS BE VOICES. LISTEN AT THESE VOICES IN THE TEXT, JUDAH SPOKE, THE ADVERSARY SPOKE AND NEHEMIAH SPOKE.

PLEASE READ NEHEMIAH CHAPTER 4. THE QUESTION IS WHICH VOICE DO YOU LISTEN TO?

FIRST THERE IS THE WAVERING VOICE OF JUDAH. JUDAH IS PESSIMIST, HE IS WAVERING. NOTICE WHO IS WAVERING JUDAH THIS IS NOT AN OUTSIDE VOICE BUT AN INSIDE VOICE. BE CAREFUL OF PEOPLE ON THE INSIDE, CLOSE TO YOU BUT THEIR VOICE IS WAVERING. THEY ARE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE YOU. YOU JUST DON'T EXPECT CERTAIN PEOPLE TO SPEAK THE WAY THEY DO. A WAVERING VOICE.

NOT ONLY THE WAVERING VOICE BUT THE WICKED VOICE OF THE ENEMY IT IS IN THE TEXT. THE ENEMY CONSPIRED IN SECRET TO DISCOURAGE THE WORK ON GOD. THEIR PLAN WAS TO KILL THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN ORDER TO STOP THE WORK. THERE ARE WICKED VOICES.

LASTLY, THERE IS THE THE WISE VOICE OF NEHEMIAH, WHAT DOES NEHEMIAH HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE WORK OF THE LORD? HE SAYS REMEMBER THE LORD. THIS IS A WISE VOICE, NOTICE NOT WAVERING, NOT WICKED BUT WISELY HE SAYS REMEMBER THE LORD. REMEMBERING THE LORD WILL CAUSE US TO BE ABLE TO DO AND RETURN TO THE WORK. THE OTHER VOICES WERE VOICES OF DISCOURAGEMENT BUT THIS IS A VOICE OF ENCOURAGEMENT. NEHEMIAH SAYS THREE THINGS;
1. REMEMBER THE LORD 2. RESIST THE ENEMY 3. RETURN TO THE WORK

READ THIS 4TH CHAPTER AND BEWARE OF THE THREE VOICES FOR THEY WILL DETERMINE HOW WE HANDLE THE THREE ENEMIES THE DEVIL THE FLESH AND THE WORLD.

CHICAGO

2006-05-23T23:00:00.000-07:00

ON THIS PAST SUNDAY I PREACHED IN CHICAGO FOR MY GOOD FRIEND, PASTOR ROMEL WILLIAMS. HE IS A FINE YOUNG PASTOR AND AN EXCELLENT PREACHER. HE IS THE PASTOR OF THE LILYDALE PROGRESSIVE M.B. CHURCH. IT WAS A WONDERFUL WORSHIP EXPERIENCE. THE PEOPLE WERE VERY KIND AND VERY RECEPTIVE TO THE PREACHING OF GOD'S WORD. PASTOR WILLIAMS IS SUCH A FINE PREACHER OF THE WORD THAT I FELT HUMBLED THAT HE WOULD INVITE ME. WE HAVE BECOME REALLY GOOD FRIENDS AND I TREASURE HIS FRIENDSHIP. I AM SO THANKFUL TO GOD FOR BROTHERS LIKE HIM. HIS COMMITMENT TO SOUND BIBLICAL EXPOSITION HAS CAUSED ME TO REJOICE IN SEEING WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH THE MAN THAT YIELDS HIMSELF TO BE USED OF GOD. I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME OF FELLOWSHIP AND FUN WITH PASTOR WILLIAMS. I PREACHED ON THE LIFE OF ELIJAH, LIVING BY THE BROOK. THERE ARE WONDERFUL LESSON TO BE LEARNED AT THE BROOK CHERITH. IF YOU WILL TRIUMPH AT CARMEL YOU MUST BE TESTED AT CHERITH. PERFORMANCE AT CARMEL IS CONTINGENT UPON PREPARATION AT CHERITH. AT CHERITH WE MUST LISTEN TO THE MASTER, THERE MUST BE THE LANDING OF THE MESSENGER AND LIVING BY THE MEAT. IN SUMMARY GOD REQUIRES OF HIS SERVANTS OBEDIENCE TO HIM, POSITIONING BY HIM AND DEPENDENCY IN HIM. WE SPEND TO MUCH TIME PERFORMING AND NOT ENOUGH TIME IN PREPARATION. IT WAS A GOOD WEEKEND. PLEASE KEEP MY FRIEND AND BROTHER PASTOR WILLIAMS AND THE LILYDALE CHURCH IN YOUR PRAYERS THAT ALL OF THEIR LABORS WILL BE FOR GOD'S GLORY AND THEIR GOOD. FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!

4TH NIGHT PASTOR CHARLES

2006-05-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

ON THE FINAL NIGHT PASTOR CHARLES CAME FROM PSALMS 119:49-56, HE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WE DO IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. IT WAS IF THIS MESSAGE WAS TAILORED FOR ME, I WAS GREATLY ENCOURAGED. I THANK GOD FOR HB HE PREACHED WITH CRYSTAL CLASSIC CLARITY. WE WENT OUT TO EAT AFTERWARDS AND I JUST ENJOYED HIS PRESENCE. I EXTENDED AN INVITATION FOR HIM TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR IF THE LORD SAYS THE SAME. THE REVIVAL WAS A REFRESHING WEEK FOR ME, ALL I CAN SAY IS TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

3rd Night of Pastor Charles

2006-05-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

This has been an awesome week, I wish we had five more nights. HB has yielded himself unto the Lord, and God has been pleased to preach him. Tonight was Psalms 119:41-48 A FAITHFUL WITNESS. God used HB to make clear to us what it means to be A FAITHFUL WITNESS. I believe this week with HB has been a blessing to our friendship. My prayer is that we will always remain open and honest to one another and not have a superficial type of friendship that so many preachers have because they are afraid to disagree with one another and hold one another accountable to the Word of God. I want to always be able to speak the Truth in Love as Paul said to the Church at Ephesus. Truth without Love is Brutality, Love without Truth is Hypocracy, but Truth in Love is Maturity. It is my prayer my friendship with HB will mature for God's Glory and our good. Please pray for our last night and pray for HB's wife and children and for his congregation Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, LA CALIFORNIA. Special blessings upon them for loaning him to us this week, for I know it must be difficult on them to have such a Godly Presence away.

2nd Night of Pastor Charles

2006-05-17T04:49:00.000-07:00

God has been preaching this brother. He picked up last night at Psalms 119:33-40. His subject was TEACH ME. This was a Great Sermon. Our crowd has not been where I would like to see it, but our worship has been awesome. People left last night saying Lord Teach Me. The first night was good, the second night was good-er and I am walking on tip-toe anticipation for tonight. So many saints are saying how much they are being helped. The preaching is clear and reachable.

When I was a child , if my grandmother had something she didn't want us to have she would place it up high so we could not get it. However, if she wanted us to have it she would place it where we could get it. Pastor Charles has been placing it where the saints can get it . He has been very helpful. To God Be The Glory.

UP FROM THE DUST

2006-05-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

Alright I repent, I know you have not heard from me in a while. I am "UP FROM THE DUST." We started our Spring Revival last night, Pastor HB Charles Jr. from California is our evangelist. Man did he preach, Psalms 119:25-32 Up From The Dust. It was a very encouraging message. I have been praying and looking forward to his arrival. He is not just a co-laborer in the Gospel He is a friend, so I am looking forward to the fellowship as well. Warning don't ever buy him a Christian book, he already has them all.

I know I haven't been writing, I have been spending much time in prayer trying to hear God's voice on some things in my life and ministry. Please pray for me and my ministry. I like Elijah must learn to LIVE BY THE BROOK. There will not be Triumph at Carmel without Testing at Cherith. Please pray for my obedience. I am sure the Master has a Plan, it will be revealed at a Precise Moment and by a Particular Manner. This is God's time and by God's Word so pray that I will remain faithful by the brook and only move at God's command. This time of testing God has shown Himself faithful. He has provided for me Remarkably and Regularly, for He is Wonderful and Wise. Pray that God will be pleased to send REVIVAL. Alright HB I am "UP FROM THE DUST."

BY HIS DEATH

2006-04-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

BY HIS DEATH
Eph. 2:14-17
To say in Christ we have it all is never saying to much, in Christ we have everything we need. Our sufficiency is in Christ.
The growth in Christ is for us to realize what we have in Christ. For when we realize what we have in Christ our confidence and faith are strengthened.
There are five things that are ours in Christ by His Death. There are many more I will just point out five from our text.
I. We have Peace - We have peace with God for Jesus Christ is our peace. No more hostility between Jew and Gentile. Peace with God creates peace with our fellowman.
II. The walls of separation are broken down - This may sound redundant but it is not. It is saying in the context of the passage by His Death, Christ has destroyed what divided us in the first place. If God made peace with Jew and Gentile and left the walls up the walls would only serve to remind of the hostility. By His Death He has removed the root of the offence.
III. He ended the whole system of Jewish Law that excluded the Gentiles- In the temple there was a Jewish part and a Gentile part. There were place to which the Gentile could not go. The Jews used the law to remember those strangers that dwelt among them. The text teach us, we are no more strangers, we are fellow citizens of the Household of Israel. We are the Commonwealth of the Redeemed. We are no longer strangers. Halleluah to the Lamb. The old temple has been destroyed. It is not that we dwell in the temple, but God now dwells in us. God excluded the whole system. So we can't hold on to what God has destroyed. No more coming in different doors for there is only one door, and that is Christ Himself.
IV. He created in Himself one new man-What does this mean? How Do we Explain this? There is Jew And there is Gentile. At Calvary He killed them both down in Himself and what He pulled out of Himself was neither Jew or Gentile neither us or them but it was a saint?
V.We are bonded in an unbreakable union- One New Man. This is all ours by His Death. Let's Christians everywhere celebrate not just a pass from hell, we celebrate all the blessings that are ours by His Death.
My prayer is that we will by God's Spirit realize what is ours by His Death. So that we might live in a strengthened faith that will allow us to enjoy the privileges that are ours. They are given freely to us by His Death, so we should marvel at the Greatness of our God and commit ourselves to live faithful and fruitful to Him as we serve our fellowman.

A WORD TO MY DAUGHTER

2006-04-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING AND GIFT FROM GOD. O HOW THANKFUL TO GOD I AM FOR MY BEAUTIFUL TEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER KLOE BRE NAI ATKINSON. YOU MUST ALWAYS KNOW YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS TO ME. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN HARD ON YOU WITH ME BEING AWAY, HOWEVER I HAVE WATCHED GOD WORK IN YOU AND MATURE YOU TO BE STABLE INSPITE OF MY BEING AWAY. GOD IS SO GOOD. HE IS A SUSTAINER. HE IS FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE WHAT HE BEGINS. I AM SO AMAZED AT HIS GRACE WORKING IN, TO, AND THROUGH YOUR LIFE. I PRAY FOR YOU EVERYDAY TO GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST; THAT GOD WILL GRANT YOU SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE AND DISCERNMENT TO ALWAYS SEEK TO PLEASE HIM AT ANY COST. THERE IS SO MUCH PRESSURE ON CHILDREN TODAY TO FIT IN AND BE ACCEPTED BY THEIR PEERS. I PRAY YOU WILL BY GOD'S GRACE REMAIN A CHILD WHO ONLY NEEDS GOD'S ACCEPTANCE. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HOW YOU, BY GOD'S GRACE, HAVE MAINTAINED HONOR ROLL STANDINGS AND YET REMAIN HUMBLE. I WANT SO MUCH FOR YOU AND ALL THAT I WANT CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN CHRIST AND CHRIST ALONE. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT. LOVE YOU BABY GIRL.

FATHERS TAKE SOME TIME TO ENCOURAGE AND MODEL YOUR CHILDREN AS CHRISTIAN PARENTS. THE SHEMA SAYS IN DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9 Hear O Israel, The Lord our God is one, YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. AND THESE WORDS WHICH I COMMAND YOU TODAY SHALL BE IN YOUR HEART. YOU SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY TO YOUR CHILDREN.............................
AGAIN I PRAISE AND THANK GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE, IS DOING, AND WILL DO IN THE LIFE OF HIS PEOPLE.

EPH:3:20

A WORD TO MY WIFE

2006-04-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

I AM TRULY BLESSED BY GOD TO HAVE SUCH A LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE WIFE. I AM NOT BOASTING MY BOAST IS ONLY IN THE LORD. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR HOW SHE HAS SUPPORTED ME AND CARED FOR MY DAUGHTER IN A VERY TRYING TIME IN OUR LIFE. I DO NOT EVER WANT HER TO FEEL THAT I TAKE THE DAILY THINGS SHE DOES FOR GRANTED. FOR I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICLUT YEAR. YET SHE HAS MAINTAINED TRUST AND DEPENDENCY IN GOD WITH ME BEING AWAY. TIME IS FAST APPROACHING FOR US TO BE UNITED AS A FAMILY IN ONE LOCATION. I LONG FOR US TO BE TOGETHER. I KNOW MANY FAMILIES WHO HAD TO SEPARATE FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. WHEN YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY THIS IS NOT EASY. HOWEVER, I USED TO SAY GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT. NOW I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SUFFICIENCY OF HIS GRACE IN ANOTHER AREA OF MY LIFE.

PROVERBS 18:22 SAYS, " HE WHO FINDS A WIFE FINDS A GOOD THING, AND OBTAINS FAVOR FROM THE LORD." I BELIEVE IT IS THE FAVOR OF GOD THAT CAUSES A MAN TO FIND THE WIFE THAT GOD DESIRES FOR HIM. TO ALL MY SINGLE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, DON'T MARRY FOR THE SAKE OF MARRYING. SEEK GOD THAT HE MAY DIRECT YOUR PATH. PROVERBS 3:5-6 TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND DO NOT LEAN TO YOUR OWN UDERSTANDING IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATH. GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED, ONLY TRUST HIM.

REMEMBER, PROVERBS 31:10, " WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WIFE?" LITERALLY A WIFE OF VALOR, IN THE SENSE OF ALL FORMS OF EXCELLENCE. THANKS AND PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR HIS SOVEREIGN WORK OF GRACE IN THE LIFE OF HUMANITY.

I LOVE YOU BRENDA EHP. 3:20

Privilege and Pleasure

2006-02-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

I am very humbled and thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, last Sunday marked one year that I have had the privilege and pleasure to be the pastor of the Garden of Prayer Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. I meditated on this and I was truly brought to tears, not tears of sorrow but tears of joy.

Well you might say why? First I thought about the PRIVILEGE. The word is defined as a right, advantage, favor, or immunity specially granted to one. In my mind you can't earn a privilege it must be granted at the descretion of of another. So when I think about the fact that the Holy and Sovereign God of creation would grant me the privilege to pastor and lead His blood bought people. This is mind boggling. The personal possession, that He secured by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son's Atoning Death at Calvary. As leaders and people of God we need to reflect more on the word PRIVILEGE. Then I thought about the word PLEASURE, I can truly say it is a great pleasure to lead God's people. Now of course there are ups and down in dealing with people, but I have learned that God uses all situations circumstances and subjects in conforming me to th image of Christ. John Piper says "GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED IN US WHEN WE ARE MOST SATISFIED IN HIM." I don't believe we can find satisfaction in God without satisfaction in His people, for they are in union with Christ Jesus. Meditate on these two words PRIVILEGE and PLEASURE that are both blessing from our Sovereign and Loving God.

Lead Them To Christ Jesus

2006-01-25T22:17:00.000-08:00

In difficult times it is a blessing to get support and encouragement from friends and love ones. God know just who to send and when to send them and He gives them the right words to say. As a Pastor and leader I am careful to remember that I am just a vessel and a means and not an end. A wise man once said to me trumpets never take bows only the Trumpeter. It is the one who blows the trumpet that is to be applauded. As leaders we must be ever careful that we lead people to Christ and not to ourselves. It is easy for people to look to us thinking they are looking to Christ. This is why I think sound biblical exposition is important and people must be clear on Christ's Words oppose to the words of man. Many today agree with the words preachers apart from knowing the Word's of the Word's of the PREACHER (Christ). My prayer is that God will give me the grace to always decrease that Christ may increase, for man's greatest need is Christ. Andrew Murray says, humility is the soil of all graces. People must be taught to love and respect their God given leaders. Leaders must remember their responsibility, Lead Them To Christ. I thought this was an interesting article.

Read - I Cor. 3:4-8
Over the years of working with Sports Spectrum magazine, I've heard many stories about athletes and the help they receive from spiritual mentors. That relationship is usually helpful, but occasionally it seems that the athlete is not guided toward the true source of divine power.I interview many athletees who illustrate this point. When I say, "Tell me about your faith," they reply,"Our chaplain really helps us. We really believe in the chaplain."I'm glad that the chaplain is there for then, but I'm sad that the name of Jesus is seldom mentioned.

It seems that their focus is on the human helper and not the their true source of power, Jesus, is being ignored. We must remember not to let our devotion to a leader replace our devotion to Christ. Paul reminded us that "neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God gives the increrase" (I Cor. 3:7). Too often, we put our focus on the leader and not on the One the leader is following. Are you a leader? Teach people to follow the Savior, not you the servant. Are you a follower? Follow only those who point toward Jesus - not themselves.

They truly lead who lead by love and humbly serve the Lord; Their lives will bear the Spirit's fruit and magnify His Word. -D. De Haan

I thought this was good, however I say in the words of Apostle Paul, Follow me as I follow Christ. May all God fearing men and women LEAD THEM TO CHRIST!

Situations

2006-01-17T20:39:00.000-08:00

If we are not careful, our situations can effect our dedication. God is deserving of complete loyalty. Circumstances that confront us in life can cause us to doubt God and even question His person. Matthew 11:1-3, John the Baptist is in prison. He has been faithful to the Lord. He is the one who prepared the way for the Lord. He has been faithul in his preaching and baptism. Yet he is in prison, obedience to Christ doesn't exempt us from difficulty. I know what the TV preachers say. Think about this John is serving God faithfully, he is in jail about to die. He hears about the works of Christ. John says hey ARE YOU THE COMING ONE? Now he starts to question whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. Here I am in jail if you are the Messiah come and get me out. John's situation is creating doubt. John had a misconception of the Messiah's agenda based on his situation. How often do we allow our situations to effect our trust in the Lord. God is only obligated to Himself. Oh how I need to remember this. Who God is should never be determined by what He does for me. This is the height of selfishness and pride. I have been going through quite a bit in the pass few months. I feel I have been trying to be faithful to God's will and His word, and I feel like God should do something. However, His is doing something and He has done something. The problem for me is He not doing what I think He should do. Certainly I know what's best for me? Ever been their? Whatever is happening in the life of a child of God is best. We must learn to want what we have. Most of us want what we don't have. We must grow to be able to say in the words of Apostle Paul, I have learned in WHATSOEVER state to be CONTENT. John never got out of prison until He got his head cut off. Pray that we will learn to love what we have, even the difficulties for they are apart of our growth and development, and that our SITUATIONS don't effect our DEDICATION. We must submitt to our Sovereign Lord and know He only does that which is for our good. Pray that God will give us peace and patience to endure hardness as a GOOD SOLDIER.

FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!

Lord Forgive Me For Complaining

2006-01-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

Today as I spent time with the Lord in prayer and meditation, I had to ask the Lord to forgive me for my complaining. It is so easy to do it come natural for us in our fallen state. Complaining is born out of PRIDE. It is out of the womb of pride that complaining is born. God hates it, for He resist the proud but gives grace to the humble. My prayer today is Lord help me guard my heart against complaining. Over shadow my pride with a sense of humility. Often time I justify it by saying I'm not complaining I'm just explaining. Make me honest that I might get help.

As Christian we have so much to thank God for. Complaining is a form of robbery. It steals time. The time we should be praising and thanking God, guess what we're doing? You got it right. We swim in the Sea of Blessings and are Drowning inComplaints. Think about it. Maybe this will help if we will meditate on these and ask for God's Help.

A 12 Point Cure for Complaining
Complaining is unbecoming of the true Christian and yet we are proficient at it. The cure is found in these verses. In Christ we are never hopeless or forsaken. Every trial has meaning. Meditate on this cure in order to change both your language and your heart.
1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN.
Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)
2. GOD COMMANDS ME TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. GOD COMMANDS ME TO REJOICE ALWAYS, AND ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF TRIAL.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2
4. I ALWAYS DESERVE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT I AM SUFFERING NOW¾IN FACT, I DESERVE HELL.
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39 Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3
5. IN LIGHT OF THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND GLORY THAT I WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN, THIS PRESENT TRIAL IS EXTREMELY BRIEF AND INSIGNIFICANT, EVEN IF IT WERE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19
6. MY SUFFERING IS FAR LESS THAN THAT WHICH CHRIST SUFFERED, AND HE DID NOT COMPLAIN.
Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23
7. TO COMPLAIN IS TO SAY GOD IS NOT JUST.
Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25
8. FAITH AND PRAYER EXCLUDE COMPLAINING.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
9. THIS DIFFICULTY IS BEING USED BY GOD FOR MY GOOD AND IT IS FOOLISH FOR ME TO COMPLAIN AGAINST IT.
And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
10. THOSE MORE FAITHFUL THAN I HAVE SUFFERED FAR WORSE THAN I, AND DID SO WITHOUT COMPLAINT.
…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith… Hebrews 11:35-39
11. COMPLAINING DENIES THAT GOD'S GRACE IS ENTIRELY SUFFICIENT.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
12. THE GREATEST SUFFERING, THE WORST TRIAL OR DIFFICULTY, CAN NEVER ROB ME OF THAT WHICH IS OF GREATEST VALUE TO ME AND MY GREATEST JOY, NAMELY THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39_________

Antigua PART 2

2005-12-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

I arrived in Antigua on Saturday November 26, it was the smallest airport I have ever seen. Going through Customs and Immigration was God's Sovereign way of testing my patience. I must admit I failed, I was becoming quite frustrated with the line and all the precedures. I make it through that, I must wait on Pastor Jonas to pick me up. I don't really know what he looks like, so I am hoping to see someone with a sign that says Pastor Atkinson. So I stand there looking and finally a very distinguished voice calls my name, "Pastor Atkinson." It was Pastor Jonas, relief. He takes me to his home for a meal his wife had prepared for me, then to the hotel I would be staying at. The hotel at glance was not to my liking, however it proved to be the best stay I ever had at any hotel. The people were nice and very hospitible.

On Sunday I preached three times 8:00 am 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. All three services were Spirit-filled and Christ-centered. At 8:00 and 10:00 I preached the same sermon John 5 EVERYTHING WE NEED IS IN THE WORD OF GOD. The man lying at the pool trying to get wet to get well. His cure was not in the water it was in the Word of God. Sunday night I talked about THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM, Philippians 3 knowing Him requires Conscious Disatisfaction With The Presence, Consistently Oblivious To The Past, and Consecrated Effort Toward The Future.

On Monday it rained very hard, I was thinking the attendance would be down. No fair weather Christian at this church. They church came out in good numbers young and old. We had a wonderful time in worship. The Choir's singing was such a blessing, wonderful melodies and theologically sound. Monday - Friday the worhip was the same.

Pastor Jonas started a Christian School 14yrs ago with about 15 children, now the school has close to 400 children, preschool - 12th grade. There school has had the highest test scores on the island. I was given a tour of the school to meet the teachers and children. The taechers were kind and the children were extremely disciplined and mannerable.

Each day I was taken to different places to dine, all had excellent views of the Carribean Sea.
This was a wonderful experience for me. I pray that God will permit me to go again and take my wife and daughter.

Antigua

2005-12-12T08:04:00.000-08:00

On the recommendation of my friend Pastor Anthony Carter, and after viewing our church's web site, I was extended an invitation to minister God's Word to churches in the twin island nation of Antigua & Barbuda, located in the eastern Caribbean. The event was their Harvest/40th Anniversary for their main church, the Central Baptist Church, followed by a week of evangelistic meetings involving the other 3 churches. The dates were November 27 to December 2, 2005. This was a very humbling experience, I was really blessed to have this opportunity to travel to this beautiful island and proclaim the truth of God's free and sovereign grace. The shepherd of the flock was Pastor Hensworth Jonas, one of the finest godly men I have ever met. His commitment to the Gospel of God's Sovereign Grace and Reformed Theology is tremendous. He was very kind and the hospitality was second to none.

I was humbled to see the commitment of the saints there in Antigua. There sacrafice was tremendous to be out and in the meeting every night in great numbers with their heads and hearts totally focused on the word. It was and is interesting to me how content the people seem to be with so little, in contrast to America where we have so much and complain about everything. It made me wonder if the grips of materialism is stripping us from having conducive soil to lay the seed of the gospel. I know God saves when and where He wants, but I was convicted in my own heart to examine my walk with the Lord. I went to preach to them, and I did, but I believe I brought a better man back. I went to impart spiritual gift, however it was very mutual. There lives and rivers ran over flooded and irrigated the very dry places in my life.
What did I learn?
1. God is awesomeness is displayed in the beauty of His creation. The white sand the clear blue water the palm tree and the very pleasant climate. Only God can create such a place and He is to be praised for it. Yet this does not compare with the Glory to be revealed.
2. True contentment is not found in material possessions or what you have , but in resting in the sovereign will of Almighty God.
3. It is easy to think because of the wealth and power of this country we are some kind of standard for others in some ways we are and there is much for us to learn from others.
Part 1

LOVE COST

2005-11-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

Love that doesn't cost is questionable. Love is sacrifcial, for John 3:16 says, For God so Love the world that He Gave His only begotten Son. This expression of love can be measured by the value of the gift given. God gives the best to secure a relationship of love with the worst. What manner of love is this. It is the situations of life that often strip us of dedication. When one loves with a Godly love, cost is not the issue. I was just back in Dayton to preach for a Lecture Series the pastors were hosting. I preached three nights, November 8-10 2005, a Tuesday -Thurday. I was scheduled to return to Greensboro, Friday the 11th. However, I had not seen my wife and daugther in a month. So I called the airline to change my ticket, from Greensboro to St. Louis and return to Greensboro on Saturday, only to find outr it would cost me $500. I readily said I will take it. My pastor friend said, are you going to spend $500 for one day at home. I said to Him when you love someone the cost doesn't matter if you have it to pay. Little did I know God would bring those words back to me and as I meditated on them in relationship to God and His people. I believe when we really love God we want care what it cost. Many say salvation didn't cost us anything, but I believe it cost us everything. Jesus says you must DENY yourself take up your cross daily and FOLLOW Him. If you are not willing to forsake father, mother you can't be His disciple. There is a great cost in being with the one you love. In John 12 after Jesus had raised Lazarus, Mary anoints Jesus feet with a very costly fragrance. It was valued at a years wages, some criticized her saying what a waste. I believe her love for Jesus exceeded the cost of the fragrance and what some saw as a waste she didn't think was enough. She was a discerner of valued. Jesus was more valuable to her than the fragrance. It says she wiped His feet with her hair. A womans hair is considered her glory. Her glory was only worth placing at the foot of Jesus. Is your love coming at a price or is it costing you nothing?

Dayton

2005-10-28T22:45:00.000-07:00

I am very thankful the Lord blessed my trip to Dayton Ohio. I preached three nights at the Greater Galilee Baptist Church, the pastor is Rev. C.E. Strong. He was a very gracious host. The people praised God and thank me for the preaching of the word. I preached the first night on WHO IS CHRIST from Matt. 16:13-19 I dealt with the importance of knowing who Christ is. I believe you can never understand what He has done til you first know who He is. I made it clear that you can't know who Christ is by....
1. Human Imagination
2. Human Speculation
3. Human Inclination
4. Human Inspiration
The text teaches us it is only by Divine Revelation that we come to know Christ. So if you know Him you are blessed today praise God for being please to reveal Christ to you.

The next night I preached on the subject of WHAT CHRIST IS DOING building His CHURCH.
The church He is Building is built on a clear understanding of who He is - He is the ROCK.
The church is purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is by His death burial and resurrection, which is the only payment that satisfies the demands of justice against the sins of His people. He is building His church...
1. Personally
2. Particuliarly
3. Permanantly

Nothing can stop Christ or hinder the process of Him building His Church. Many of the places we see today that call themselves His church were not built by Christ. Because they.....
1. They don't know Him
2. Therefore they have their own agenda

Righteousness is not obtain by our behavior but by His Benevolence.

The last night I preached on the Importance of the Cross. Most of the TV preachers have one thing in common their message is CROSSLESS. Most of it is not preaching it is motivational speaking. All the emphasis is on what man must do. So there is no need for the cross. The cross of Christ is the only vehicle of redemption, that secures the salvation of man.

Praise God for the Christ the Church and the Cross. You can not claim relationship to one without the other. To God Be The Glory!!

I have been invited to go back to Dayton on November 8-10 to preach for their Baptist Pastors Conference, all the Baptist Churches come together for this event, Please pray for me that God will give me the grace to be faithful in my exposition of His Holy Word and that He be Glorified and the saints Edified.

By any means

2005-10-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

I thought this was worth reading tell me what you think. This is what I call a pragmatic ideal. Pragmatism is only concerned about the consequences and results the means of accomplishment
is not important. Let's get the city rebuilt by any means necessary. Lord Help!

Mayor says gambling key to reviving New Orleans economyOct 10, 2005 By StaffBaptist Press
NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Though he said he is not particularly keen on the practice and would prefer another solution, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is proposing the implementation of Las Vegas-style gambling in order to jumpstart his city’s economy after Hurricane Katrina.“I know of no other way,” he said at a news conference Oct. 7, according to the Associated Press, adding that gambling is “an incredible opportunity to accelerate growth.”Nagin’s plan would call for a large-scale gambling area in the city’s central business district, mostly along the well-known Canal Street. Gambling should only be allowed in hotels that have more than 500 rooms, Nagin said, and probably five or six of the nine eligible establishments would take advantage of the offer.“Now is the time for us to think out of the box,” Nagin said. “Now is the time for some bold leadership, some decisive leadership.”Joe McKeever, director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, mentioned his thoughts on the mayor’s proposal in his ongoing Hurricane Katrina log, posted at www.joemckeever.com.“This week Nagin was quoted in the paper citing Scripture, amazingly the 2 Chronicles 7:14 passage about repenting and turning from our evil ways to get God's healing. Now he calls for widespread gambling,” McKeever wrote Oct. 9. “Gambling -- the last corrupt idea of a dead brain cell. ‘Oh? We can't get any legitimate businesses going? I know -- let's gamble.’ Thankfully, in the Sunday paper, city council leaders were saying it's the first they've heard of it and that it's truly a bad idea.”Louisiana Senate President Don Hines, a Democrat, said it isn’t likely the plan will pass in the state legislature.“I’ll listen to it, but I’m not too excited about it at this stage of the ball game,” he told AP. “We’re pretty well saturated with gaming in this state already.”Video gambling already is allowed in about half of the state’s 64 parishes, and Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. operates a full-scale, land-based casino in New Orleans. Three dockside riverboat casinos draw money from New Orleans patrons as well, AP reported.Even so, Hines said gambling hasn’t been a major draw for New Orleans and he doesn’t expect the addition of other casinos to generate much business.On the other side, Rep. Danny Martiny, a Republican and chairman of the House Criminal Justice Committee, said the gambling proposal stands a good chance of passing given the extreme circumstances under which it would be implemented.“I think the whole attitude toward gaming is going to change,” Martiny said, according to AP. “A lot of people voted against it [in the past] because it was morally wrong. I think the whole landscape has changed. Nagin has to find some kind of engine to kick-start the economy. I’m not saying that’s the solution, but it needs to be discussed.”Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, campaigned against expanding gambling and has so far not returned requests for comment on Nagin’s proposal, AP said.In order for New Orleans hotels to win the right to open casinos, the legislature and voters must approve it and Harrah’s would have to consent to the measure. Currently, Harrah’s owns a state-granted monopoly on land-based casinos in New Orleans in exchange for paying a minimum of $60 million each year in state gambling taxes. But Harrah’s has been closed in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.Both the Mississippi House and Senate have already approved a proposal to rebuild the state’s 13 casinos on land after years of floating on the coast before Katrina. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has agreed to sign the legislation.Nagin, in a letter to Blanco, mentioned the need to compete with the Mississippi casinos in order to gain business and workers, AP reported.“With the Mississippi Gulf Coast gaming industry also in recovery, the race would be on to capture their reported 28,000 casino workers and estimated $150 million in taxes,” he wrote.But Martiny said he doesn’t expect Blanco to take up the issue swiftly.“I don’t think the governor is going to call a special session next week and ask us to pass Nagin’s proposal,” he told AP Oct. 8. “Some people will say that’s not the solution, but I don’t see a lot of Fortune 500 companies looking at us right now.”--30--

We need leaders that know God and are willing to seek Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says Trust in the LORD will all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall DIRECT thy paths.

Time Away

2005-10-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

I am very thankful that Tues. October 4th I was able to go to St. Louis, MO and spend some much needed time with my wife Brenda and my daughter Kloe. They both are doing fine. I also had much time to reflect on my ministry at the Garden of Prayer Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. God has been very gracious and faithful to us. I am convince anyone attempting to lead God's people apart from total dependency on Him must know something that has never been made known. God lovingly delights when we seek Him in all we do. I have been asking Him to increase my appetite and hunger for Him alone. Truly my desire is to please the God I love. Therefore, I must seek His face and obey His will. My wife and daughter have been praying and looking forward to the day when we are all together again. It is so difficult being away from them. O how my soul longs for their presence. Those who reads this blog, please pray for me and my family and the Garden of Prayer. I really thank God for the church, many have been so supportive and loving. The Garden is a very unique church, God is going to use this church in a wonderful way Greensboro, NC. to witness to His goodness and His greatness. Well I was able to get a few things accomplished this week, I started reading a good book called The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever. I got a chance to play a round of golf which was relaxing. Tommorrow is my birthday I don't know what Brenda and Kloe has planned but I know they are up to something. I am also very thankful for supportive elders and ministers at the church that carry on while I am away. Elder Spencer Wilson will preach on Sunday, He has been a blessing to me and the Garden. Pray that God will be please to preach Him on Sunday, for His Glory and the edification of the saints. Kloe made the honor roll again to God be the Glory. This is Pastor's Appreciation Month across the country please pray for those men across this country that labor diligently to shepherd the flock's that God has placed them over. Be sure to atleast say to them you love and appreciate them. Well I know it seems as if I am rambling and I am I just wanted many of you to know that I am away from the church this week it has been somewhat relaxing yet there is always work to be done. Please keep praying that I will be the type of pastor that brings Glory to God and Godly Leadership to my family and church. I miss you Garden and I love you. See you Tuesday October 11th if our Sovereign God says the same.

Life With The Proper Perspective

2005-09-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

Matt 6:33
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

If this is true, and it is. Then life has to be lived in its proper

perspective. Since God is the creator of all life it is for Him to

say how life is to be lived. Many people live life as if they are

the creators of their own lives. This is a strategic mistake,

because God is the creator. Only the creator can give purpose

to His creation. Purpose is the original intent for why

something is. Purpose is what was desired by the designer that

made the designer design it. For purpose is born in the mind of

the creator. When one fails to understand his or her purpose for

living then life is out of perspective. When life is used outside

of its purpose then life is being mismanaged, misused and

abused. Where purpose is unknown abuse and misuse in inevitable.

The Fall of man has caused man a failure to know his

purpose and therefore abuse life. The Fall of man has effected man to the point that he

is totally unable to function as he was created to. So because of

the Fall man is left in a hopeless and helpless condition as to

living life according to the Divine designed blueprints. He is

unable to use his mind affections and will as they were design

to be used. His mind is darkened, his affections are corrupted,

and his will is in bondage. So man’s greatest need is to

be saved from this totally depraved condition. Thanks be to God who

does for man what he cannot do for himself. God sent His Son to secure the salvation of His elect

people. A people chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.

This was for God's own pleasure. So God’s rescuing

man is not on the basis of man’s behavior but on God’s

benevolence. GRACE alone by FAITH alone by CHRIST alone.

After man is rescued from this condemned state he then

has been enabled and expected to live life with the proper perspective. But even after being

rescued there are time that our priorities are misarranged. We have

tendency to worry about things. Which is a sin for worry is a failure to trust the

one who rescued you to provide for you. The formula to complete

this assignment rest in our text. This text says, "But seek

first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will

be added to you. Worrying strangles life’s proper perspective out of

us. Three principles that will help us to live life with it’s proper perspective.

First, One must DILIGENTLY PURSUE THE PERSON. The verse says seek first

His Kingdom. There cannot be a kingdom without a king. It is the

very God of creation who rescued you from the depraved state you

were in and He is our King, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has pulled you out of the kingdom of

darkness into His kingdom of light. So you now live in His kingdom

and you have to pursue Him if you are to live life in it’s proper

perspective. Secondly, there must be DISCIPLINED PRACTICE OF HIS

PRINCIPLES for the text says and his righteousness. The standard of

righteousness is determined by the king. It is the adherence and obedience to his

words that states that I am practicing His principles. This simply

means to obey the King. The purpose of His rescuing you was to

enable you to live as He says. So you were freed to obey God, not to

live as you please. To live as you please is to revert back to the very

bondage in which you were rescued from. Which places life out of

perspective. Thirdly, DELIGHTFULLY POSSESS HIS

PROMISES, all these things will be added unto you. The things of life that we

often worry about, our great King promises to provide them. Our

focus needs not be on things but on pursuit and obedience to our

King. This is indeed life with the proper perspective. Cry out to God that He will give you

a glutting appetite for His PRESENCE rather than His PRESENTS.

A REASON TO CELEBRATE

2005-09-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend, we the members of the Garden of Prayer Sovereign Grace Baptist Church will celebrate 26 years of our existence as a local congregation. What a blessing 26 years God has granted us the privilege of serving Him as a local congregation. This is reason to celebrate. God by His grace allows us to share in the awesome work of extending the Kingdom. This should never be taken for granted. God didn't and doesn't need us in anyway. He is the all-sufficent one. To say that God has needs outside of Himself, is to say God lacks and therefore He is dependent upon some outside source. This is not the God of the bible. He is completely pleased and satisfied with Himself. God did not create man because He was lonely, He created us to Glorify Him and to enjoy Him forever. It is sinful for us not to give God great praise and honor for the great work of redemption He has wrought in His Son, Jesus the Christ. He has shown us infinite love in the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. He has adopted us into His Family and made us joint heirs to all He owns. So as a local congregation of baptized believers in Christ we should celebrate much for the wonderful privilege to serve as co-laborers with the Sovereign God and Redeemer of our souls. A REASON TO CELEBRATE. (to be continued)

WHERE SHALL WE LOOK?

2005-08-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

I start by saying my heart has been crushed at the tragedy that has fell upon the people in the Gulf area. The Hurricane that has been named, Katrina, has been devastating. The people of God must pray that God will be merciful in this very difficult time, we must also extend our resources, for we are our brothers keeper. Many are looking to our Federal Government for solutions and help, which I think is appropriate to an extent. The word of God says in Psalms 33:10-11 "The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever; The point of these verses is that both men and God take counsel and both plan. But in the end it is not the counsel and plans of men that are established, but of God's. It is all important to realize that God plans the world and he plans churches and what he plans lives—and his plans succeed. His plans take precedence over our plans. Our plans have significance and durability to the degree that God plans for our plans to be significant and durable. God is the all important reality in planning from beginning to end. God's will is for that to be known. God is never caught off guard, He is in complete control. Contrary to the deist view God is active in His creation.Psalms 33:12 says, ""Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance." In view of all that is happening, here are my questions, "Is the Lord the God of America?" "Is the Lord the God of any one nation?" God is the Lord of people from every nation, tongue and kindred. I believe America has been blessed with resources and opportunies above and beyond many nations to expand the name and glory of God, to whom much is given much is required. In many ways we have failed in this regard. The dominant thought of America is Post-modernism which in a simple definition is, THE DENIAL OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Which is a denial of the existence of God. If there is no absolute truth then the person I see in the mirror is my God. So if I don't believe in Truth I don't obey Truth. So God is dishonored, and man is honored. So in time of calamity and crissis we look to man or we call on the God of our imagination. God frustrates the plans of people, to show who He is and to make known that He is to be reverenced and His counsel will stand for ever.
As I watched the media's report of the hurricane, people are devastated, where shall they look? Who shall they call, especially when there is no electrical communications. I do not intend to make light of the diaster, for there are many needs (food, water, medical attention, BIBLES, etc.) I believe we are responsible and accountable to our fellow man. It is easy in these situations to point fingers and to criticize the efforts being made, this is not my intention. However, there has been high publicity of the looters, yet our political leaders have been and are still looting. Many people died because they had not the means or money to buy gas to evacuate, yet the prices of gas still soar. The Christian church is guilty of looting, for when we disobey God we steal the Glory due His name. The bible says, "Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. One of the dilemas we have faced in this country and throughout the world is man's lack of concern for his fellow man. This is a sin issue, this is the expected behavior of sinners, to sin. However, for Christian people our expectation is different. The church in Amerca has bought into the patterns and pursuits of the world. Often time there is no distinctions in the behavior of so called Christians and the world. So where shall we look, we can't look the the political leaders they are consumed with politics that serve their own insecurities. We can't look to man for he is faced with His own dilemas steered from his own depravity. We often times can't look to the church for we are chasing the world. Our only hope is to find refuge in God, through the person of Jesus Christ.
The psalmist says, " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. "
(Ps 46:1) This is the declaration that must be heralded to every nation. Jesus Christ who came in the likeness of sinful flesh says, " in this world you will have trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."So he is not one that is influenced by the world. He is not a leader that keeps control of those he leads by producing fear in them, but He says, "Don't be anxious about life and the things in it, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. He is in control whether you fear or not, He desires to lead by relieving you of fears, He has no insecurities. He is the only leader that reserves the right to serve His own interest. I think it is clear, our only hope is to look the Jesus Christ. We must REPENT and bow in submission to the will of the Sovereign Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the only hope for the people of this nation and any other nation.

O God have mercy on us in this nation and every other nation, our only hope is in thee alone. Let not the passions of our flesh nor lustings of the mind bring our spirit into subjection, but do Thou rule over us in liberty and power. Purge us from every false desire, every base aspiration, everything contrary to Thy rule. That we might see the wonder of Thy Glory and find our satisfaction in thee alone. Lord you said, You giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might you increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Lord in midst of the calamities we face teach us to wait upon You. In the matchless name of Jesus the Christ I pray, Amen.
Where shall we look?

THANK YOU LORD

2005-08-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

The love that Christ has for His Bride, the church, is an infinite love. Apostle Paul commands husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. The church is a love gift to Christ from the Father. I just thought I would write today and say, THANK YOU LORD for the privilege of being a love gift to Christ. That is an awesome thought, me a love gift. I don't often think of myself as a love gift. Do you? That is a humbling thought. I am a love gift and to add to it I am infinitely loved by Christ, not because of me but inspite of me. Christ's love for me is not a result of my behavior but His benevolence. THANK YOU LORD. Back to Paul's command, Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. What a command. Notice a command meaning it is not optional and it is expected. How is this possible, it seem that the standard is much to high? In my own strength it is impossible. However, we are also commanded in Ephesians 5:18 to be filled with the Spirit. The Spirit of God is our enabler the fulfill this command. THANK YOU LORD, for giving me the opportunity and the ability to love as you love.
My prayer: THANK YOU LORD for a beautiful loving and submissive wive. I THANK YOU LORD for the support she gives to me and the ministry you have entrusted to me. THANK YOU LORD for the sacrifices she make in serving me and my daughter. THANK YOU LORD for the prayers she prays fervently for me to be kept in the center of your will. Now Lord I pray that you will fill me with your Holy Spirit that I might fulfill your command to love her as you loved the church and gave yourself up for her. O God, that you would give me a daily desire to seek the filling of your Spirit that I might demonstrate the infinite love that you have shown me for my wife and that she might feel that love as I have felt your infinite love for me. THANK YOU LORD.

A MESSAGE FROM A FLY

2005-08-27T06:05:00.000-07:00

God is so awesome, he has abilities that are for beyond our understanding. Ps 145:3 says, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable." God has a way of speaking to us in some strange ways if we sensitive to his voice. Can you believe I recieved a message from a Fly. Please understand I am not saying we should seek to hear God voice apart from His word, for it is the word of God that confirms that which is from God. I don't believe in recieving revelation apart from scripture or continual revelation. I believe the prophets and the apostle recieve direct revelation from God and today we are recieving illumination by the Holy Spirit on the things written in the sixty six books which is the Holy Bible.
Now to explain what I mean by a message from a Fly. Well, you know a fly is that insect that flys around and drives us insane. It is our displeasure with them because we know that they are insects that are drawn to waste, trash and dung. They actually seem to feed off these things. They seem to show up in heated seasons. As if it is not enough to deal with the heat, here is this buzzing and waste eating insect that won't leave you alone.
Well, I had this fly in my office last week that was driving me mad. I was not able to focus on the work at hand because of this fly. So I decided, this was it I was going to get him. So I began by trying to visibly see him land and then I was going to smash him. After about four or five swings at him I missed and hit a very valuable piece on my desk and broke it. I was very disturbed by this, for it was a piece given to me by one I cherish.
Here's the message from the fly, "Don't destroy your office over a fly." I learned this, there are some situations and some people in which we are confronted with in life that seems to be annoying and disruptive, and they bother us because we know what they are feeding off, but you must be careful that you don't allow them to cause you to destroy something precious and valuable that was given to you by someone special.
It is better to be annoyed than to be guilty of destroying that precious gift that was GIVEN to you by someone SPECIAL. You don't see many flys in the winter. Maybe you might need just wait for a season change.

Pursuing Pleasure

2005-08-26T05:41:00.000-07:00

It is interesting to watch man's Pursuit's in life. The truth is we are all after something. The something in which we pursue is the longing to fulfill that void that God created in us. However, this void can only be filled by God Himself, for it is reserved for God alone. John Piper in his book, DESIRING GOD, said "the pursuit of pleasure is not optional, but essential. The bible is clear that we created to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Therefore, we are to find our satisfaction in Him. Many have struggled with the great debate of duty and delight. R.C. Sproul says, "delight is our duty. While Jesus was preaching the Sermon on the Mount, he warned against the fatal failures against religion. First, he dealt with the danger of people of the kingdom thinking and acting like the world, by the way of adopting the same attitude, values and goals. Second, he makes known that legalism should never be viewed as a virtue. The scribes and Pharisees were masters at this. Thirdly, he warns about putting too much emphasis on the external with no concern for the internal, he taught that the external was often the visual manifestation of the internal. What is heard from the mouth is reflective of the heart. Fourthly, and where I would like to focus is on His warning related to materialism. I believe in America, our greatest pursuit seems to be wealth, health, fame, position and power. I guess this is to be expected in a Capitolistic Society. However, Jesus teaches us that those who are subjects of His kingdom are not to pursue pleasure in this things, verse 33 of Matt. 6, He gives the Christians pursuit of pleasure. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. In your pursuit of pleasure think not that it will be found in wealth, for earthly possessions are not heavenly tranferrable. Think not that pleasure will be found in position, for the seat you occupy today is already reserve for tommorrow. Jesus teaches these are temporal and unfulfulling pursuits. But rather, seek first the kingdom of God. There can be no kingdom without a King. The first pursuit I would say is DILIGENT PURSUIT OF PERSON, the same effort that is put into obtaining wealth, fame and status, pursue the person of God. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness Christ is our righteousness. So if we would find true pleasure we must diligently pursue the person of Christ. Secondly, the passage says and His righteousness, which means for the subjects of the kingdom their must be DISCIPLINE PRACTICE OF PRINCIPLES. Pleasure is found in not only pursuing Christ our King, but we must have a disciplined life to His commands, which are found in His word. In simple term, we are to be obedient to the word of god. Finally, Pleasure is found in a DEFINITE POSSESSION OF PROMISE, all these things shall be added. There is a promise from the King that if we Pursue Him for satisfaction and pleasure instead of the the cares of this world, while Practicing His Kingdom Principles, then He Promises that Pleasure will be found in Him and a proper appreciation of wealth, health, fame and position. May God give us a mind to know true pleasure can only be found in Him.

DEALING WITH CONFLICT

2005-08-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

When facing adversity or conflict most people start by examining the situation or the people they are having conflict with. I believe for the true christian believer, the place to start is examining YOURSELF regardless of what the person has done to you, regardless of how wrong they are. One of the tricks of the devil is to make you focus on what has happen to you. Notice the focus on you. Rather than focusing on God and what it is that God requires and desires to teach me through this situation. Child of God, God is Sovereign and nothing happens to you which has not pass by the desk of God for approval. So He is not necessarily the cause but He is sovereignly in control. Quit thinking people are in control. God is in control. Knowing and applying this will root out bitterness and hatred toward people. View even your pain as coming from the Sovereign hand of God who loves you infinitely.
Therefore, Paul is right when he says in Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose.(NAS)

Notice first Paul says "we know" which first says that as christians we have Inside Information "we know", not they know, but we know. We know who is in charge. Think about this the person you are having conflict with might not have Inside Information. Paul says we know that God Is working all things. This means even the conflict you are having, which in and of itself may not be good to you, however we have an awesome God who is working it for the your good. So as christians we have Inside information and Providential Participation.
How do I deal with with my conflicts Examine your Information, what it is that you know, and what is the source of you information.
Secondly, remember the Divine Participation that will always work all things for your good of His people.
So even when others are wrong God still requires me to be right.
May the God of Grace grant us the power and ability to endure conflicts.
The standards and requirements of God upon His people are never lowered because of conflict.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?(KJV)
Micah 6:8

Great Dangers

2005-08-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

Romans 10:1-4, Apostle Paul begins by expressing his love for his native people, by expressing his hearts desire and prayer being for their salvation, that is for their deliverance from the chains and shackles of sin and their own depravity. Which indeed is every man's greatest need. What an appropiate thing to do, God is the originator and producer of salvation, so Paul's appeal is to the only one that can fulfill his desire and prayer. Paul's humility is displayed by his willingness to pray on the matter. Prayer is how we demonstrate our dependency in God. Notice the way that depravity displays itself.
1. Ignorance -The problem with Israel was not in a lack of enthusiasm or effort. If sincerity and diligence were the way to heaven, Israel would be in first place, with many of the cults and “ism’s” of our day running a close second. Israel had plenty of zeal but it was misdirected due to a lack of knowledge: “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge” (Romans 10:2). This lack of knowledge was not due to a lack of revelation or innocent ignorance on the part of Israel. It was a willful and obstinate rejection of the truth as taught in the Old Testament and as further disclosed by our Lord Jesus Christ. It was the kind of ignorance which says, “Don’t confuse me with the facts; my mind is already made up.” There is a DANGER in making a final decision based on limited information. Many have concluded the bible is not needed without ever examining it's material.

Their Ignorance took them further. Sin takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay. Where did their sin take them?
Out of Ignorance comes,

2. Insubordination - In seeking to earn their own righteousness, they stubbornly refused to submit to the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. Christ is, indeed, the end of the Law (v. 4) to all who believe, but the Jews preferred their interpretation of the Law to its true meaning and fulfillment. Remember God is the owner and creator of salvation, yet their sin and depravity cause them to be to attempt to take over another man's company. They stubbornly refused to submit to the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, they went about to establish their own righteousness, which is no righteousness at all.

All over the world man is still plagued by the devastation of his own sin and depravity that is first displayed in his Ignorance and demonstrated more clearly in his Insubordination to the will and word of God that can ONLY be seen and known in the person of Jesus Christ.

WORD

2005-08-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am thankful that God has blessed us to be alive to see this new millenium. I am thankful as a Pastor that God has chosen and entrusted me to shepherd His flock. This is an awesome privilege task and responsibility, however God has given to me, in Christ all I need to fulfill the task.

When I look at the church today I believe we have been divinely preserved and positioned to first, Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever, secondly to fulfill a mandate which is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. What a tremendous privilege and pleasure to work for the Sovereign God of the Universe?

Often times I am saddened at the fact that God who is the supreme potenta of the universe has given so much for His church, in giving His Son, and often receives from the church seemingly so little. I believe that we are not coming anywhere close to the potential of the power of the Word of God in the life of the church. We miss the fact that, “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.” So often we seek pleasure everywhere except the place true and infinite pleasure is to be found, in Him. Pleasure outside of God is not pleasure at all.

The Bible is clear our sufficiency is in Christ. However, we must not allow our deficiencies cause us to lose hope, so we must seek God more fervently and trust His Heart when we can't see his Hand and trust His Ability even when we don't see His Activity and trust His Word we we can't see His Way.