Pastor’s Blog May 2011

When the world is changing their perception concerning the coming of the Lord, has the church lost its vigilance in recognizing the signs of the “End Time”.  Is the church still progressing with great resolve by all accounts, or have we digressed in our passion for the Lords imminent return.  Is the church growing and developing into spiritual maturity, or are we remaining as “little children” still in need of bearing the traits of “love” that would define us as being disciples of Jesus.

Consider this if you would, there is a reason of why at least some poor countries remain impoverished and underdeveloped.  Countries in this condition have not made a smooth progression from where they are to where they would be when rich.  To move from mining to the manufacturing of silicon chips for computers require simultaneous investments in education, transport infrastructure, electricity, and many other things.  For private sectors to bridge the gap between an impoverished society and one of productivity, may be too wide and vast without the help of the government.

Stop for a moment and think of the many things that God has desired to give us individually and collectively that we have failed to make the progression necessary in order for it to develop into its intended purpose.

The great inventor of all times, Thomas A. Edison, was talking one day with the governor of North Carolina, and the governor complimented him on his inventions. It was after that Edison spoke these words “I am not a great inventor”.  “About the only invention I can really claim as absolutely original is the phonograph”.  “I guess I’m an awfully good sponge. I absorb ideas from every source I can and put them to practical use. Then I improve them until they become of some value. The ideas which I use are mostly the ideas of other people who don’t develop them themselves”.

I believe the greatest hindrance to the Church is to fail in developing our lives by having the right MINDSET and the right MESSAGE

A right MINDSET is necessary for the following reasons; your thinking gives DEFINITION as Solomon describes in Proverbs 23:7; Thinking must be DISCIPLINED as Paul said in Romans 12:2, people who never develop spiritually have never obtained a right mindset; Thinking right is our DUTY 2 Cor. 10:5; Thinking right is DEVINE Phil 3:12, 4:8.

A right MESSAGE is necessary to develop our lives.

In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus tells a parable that compares and contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish.  He emphasizes how critical it is to have a strong foundation. The use of a building metaphor should not surprise us; Jesus was a carpenter. In the verses that follow, Jesus provides two options for building your life.

OPTION 1:  Develop Your Life on a DOCTRINAL Foundation (7:24–25). Jesus says, “The only way to build a strong foundation is by obeying His words.” He begins His parable in 7:24 with the word “therefore,” which looks back to the entire Sermon on the Mount.   In light of His teachings, Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” 

OPTION 2:  Destroy your life on the DEFECTIVE foundation (7:26–27). Jesus modifies His previous parable and applies it negatively to those who refuse to obey His words. In 7:26 He says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” The opposite of a wise man is a foolish man. The Greek word for “foolish” is moros. I don’t need to tell you what this word means in either Greek or English. A person who disregards Jesus’ words is called a moron.  He didn’t build on the rock of Jesus’ words! Who or what is your foundation? If it isn’t Jesus Christ, make sure He is today.

Why did the foolish man fail to progress his foundation beyond the sand?  Perhaps he failed to perceive the tell tale signs that were before him and as a result he miscalculated the weather. He thought every day was going to be remaining sunshine. He thought his life was always going to stay the same.  So he figured a sand dune would do as a foundation and failed to develop his home on a true stability.

My friends it takes more cost, energy, time and work to build on the rock.  Perhaps it is much easier to go with the popular opinion and maintain a superficial faith.  My friends, most of the time, one can rarely tell the difference of a truly DEVELOPED LIFE until the storm begins to blow.  But, do want to know a little something?  The world is looking around at the storms that are raging and now they are starting to question the “Sandman Contractors” concept.  I have heard them say concerning the events happening; “It is almost like the end of the world”. 

Breaking Free of Bondage

 

Breaking Free of Bondage

 In our modern society have we become so transfixed with the therapeutic recovery resources that are so readily available, that we have neglected the prophetic Word of the Lord, regenerating power of the Holy Ghost and redeeming blood of Jesus Christ that “cleanseth” us from all sin.

Modern psychology is still fairly young, with its devotion to the study of the mind with its related processes and the human behavior.  Psychologists are often called upon to address child development, relationship dysfunctions and the almost endless list of woes we are witnessing in the end-time humanity.  Because human beings are complex, there is great difficulty to obtain true scientific data by a “control and Measure” method.  In other word human beginnings cannot be just defined by some mathematical equation or chemical experimentation.

Jesus had this to say concerning himself; “I am the way, the truth and the life”.  Jesus also declared; “you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”.

Although we receive much practical help from psychological studies on healthful ways of living, we see in the Bible of how that God deals with human beings concerning their sin.

Please understand that I am not knocking all psychologists, I am merely demonstration the fact that modern psychology has mingled truth and error.

The Scriptures declare that all truth originates with God.  Jesus alone is the source of truth concerning the natural world, human beings, as well as truth about the soul and the hereafter.  Within the framework of modern psychology the sin problem does not figure in any need for a Savior who might renew an individual’s mind, thus affecting a behavior change.  Even though some psychological ideas may resemble biblical thought, it did not have its origination within the Bible.  The Bible was not written as a psychological treatise.  The Holy Word of God provides us with so many stories and instructional materials, which illuminate God’s way of dealing with humanity.
 
Modern day psychology rejects Jesus as the true source for truth.  Modern day psychology is actually attempting to reconstruct theology with its elimination of the Supernatural and integration of the educational and moral.  

 Truth provides us with purpose and meaning for life.  God is not merely concerned about the external matters of this planet, for the Scriptures are very emphatic that He is occupied with the internal affairs of man.  God is caught up with the motives and the thoughts of a man.  (Mark 12:43-44; Matt 25:31-46)  The Word is a discerner of the very thoughts and the intents of an individual.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  

If you desire to be free, why not give Jesus a try.

In the next Issue I will cover “breaking free from generational curses”.

Do You Accept Jesus?

Do You Accept Jesus? 

For some it may take a bit of effort to remember your teenage years.  Perhaps you would concur with me that the teenage years can be difficult.  You’re not quite sure who or what, you will become, but you are no longer the child that you used to be.  You want to find enjoyment for yourself and explore the possibilities of new freedom, however, you find yourself being held back by your peers who can’t quite recognize the transition you have made.  Remember your first day of entering through those high school doors?   You wanted to fit in and be accepted, but more often than not, you came to the realization, in order to attain this it would involve compromise and abandoning who you were in order to be accepted in certain social circles.

Let’s face it although our surrounding have changed, the issue of acceptance continues to plague many adults, as they seek to find serenity within their social circles of life.  The secular society reason, “Relational acceptance is the answer to problems today”.  However, what society is doing is such a travesty.  In fact an individual’s worst enemy will never bring the destruction that one can inflict upon them self.  The mainstream society is more concerned about reputation then Character.  Character is truly who we are when no one else is looking, whereas reputation is merely what others think and say about us.

The gospel of the Lord Jesus, according to 1 Cor. 15:1-4;

1Cor 15:1

Moreover, brethern, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1Cor 15:2

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1Cor 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Cor 15:4

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The gospel message of the Death, Burial and Resurrection which is made applicable by the obedience to the scripture of Acts 2:38;

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The saving message of Repentance, baptism in Jesus name and receiving the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking with out tongues is diametrically opposed to the culture we live in and are even influenced by.  Sadly, the SECULAR social realms have tried to mingle the SACRED with their idealistic ways.  Modern day “Christianity” boasts of their numbers that “accept” the Lord as their personal savior.  It stands to reason that doctrinally speaking, this theology is inconsistent with the scripture and thus stands in grave error.  Paul tells us in Ephesians, it is not to our qualifications that Jesus must conform to, but rather it is we that must conform to him.  It is not for society to make demands of the Savior, in order that evil may be called good, or to make a mockery of Biblical commands and call it a “new day”.  The Word of God is very clear, it is not for us to accept Jesus into our lifestyle, for the Creator of the Universe to adapt himself to our order of convenient religiosity, because the scriptures declare that our hearts are deceitfully wicked, rather it is for Jesus to accept us.

Eph 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

According to Paul the meaning of Grace that he defined to the Ephesian believers is, “acceptance in the beloved”.  Who is the beloved?  The beloved is none other than Jesus.

 John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 15:4

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:6

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:10

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

 The real issue for salvation concerning acceptance, is Jesus accepting us.  The only way that we will find acceptance, that is “His Grace” is to get into Jesus.  How?  The only way to Abide in Jesus is through His Death (Repentance), His Burial (Baptism in Jesus Name) and through his Resurrection (Receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues).  This is the only saving message of truth!  For too long society has been abandoning who they were in order to be accepted in secular social circles, while trying to maintain their individuality and their rights when it comes to the Sacred Truth of the Scriptures.  Its time to get it right, its time find what real acceptance is.

So this is Christmas….

Gifts of the Spirit-Love=Nothing

Apart from the context of Christian Love even the most extravagant display of linguistic powers that are earthly, or heavenly, will produce nothing of any value.  The Gifts that Paul Speaks about in 1 Corinthians 13, itself is not likened to noise of a long gong, it is the person who operates them without love.  Paul was saying the Gifts of the Spirit are not for display but rather it is for the edification of others.

1 Corinthians 13:2 Paul said; “If I have prophetic powers and do not have love, I am nothing.”  He didn’t say that I produce nothing, he said, I am “no” “thing”.  The issue at hand is not the value of the gifts for in chapter 12 and 14 he talks about their value.  Paul is not making a value judgment on these Gifts, he is talking about the value of the people who exercise these Gifts without love.   Paul’s focus was upon this fact; “without love, I am nothing”.   We could summarize as follows, apart from the context of Christian love, even the most inspired proclaiming individual of divine truth is spiritually deficient.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

1 Co 13:2

Notice Paul uses this hypothetical person, with the combination of gift and resource.  Paul uses himself as this hypothetical person as an example.  He says, without love I am nothing. 

Now you must come to the understanding that there is a radical difference between the gifts of the spirit and of the fruit of the spirit.  The Fruit of the Spirit produces the central character of love.  Whereas, the Gifts can be exercised in rank carnality.  That is no doubt why Jesus said; “There will be those who will say did we not cast out devils in your name.” and he will say depart from me, I never knew you.  Over against everything else we must be filled with love.  The Gifts of the Spirit minus love equals nothing.

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