Living Word Christian Fellowship

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER 2012

2012-02-02T11:30:00.001-05:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 21, No. 2 February 2012

I have a sense of fulfillment this year. That happens to be our theme in the church. God is saying and doing things that make me believe that He is up to something good. However, if we keep our focus on the things of the world and get caught up in them, then we can miss what God is doing. I know this is the year for a presidential election and people are in uncertainty for the future. I feel that too. But when I keep my eyes on the Lord, I am encouraged time after time.

Peter tells us this: 1Pe 5:10 NIV “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Then he says in verse 12 to stand fast in the grace that has been given to you. It is very difficult to stand fast when you are on shaky ground. That is the place this nation stands in this time. But the sons of God are rising to their rightful places of authority; and as we do, watch what God will do. God is not through with us yet. His plans are good: Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We have a future that is about to come forth, so stand and see the salvation of the Lord! We will be stronger than we ever thought possible when God reveals His will and His plans are fulfilled.

In Christ,

Pr. Steve

Devouring Time

Rev 12:11 (KJV) “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

The Word of God tells us the way to be and remain victorious in this hour of transition is that we are not to love our lives to the death. Greek = psuche = Soul - You love not your soul, not your existence. Life is not the body. Jesus said you have to lay down your life and follow Him. What does it mean? It means you give your soul to Him. From the word psuche we get psychology = this is our thinking. So it is not that we don’t love our life, our existence; rather, it is that we don’t love the way we think which causes us to do things contrary to the ways of God. Mat 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

We don’t love our souls, the way you think, even to the death. When we do, we gain a new creation of Christ that rules our thoughts and mind and gives us authority over evil.

Isaiah, Micah, and Revelation all tell us that in the last days this bringing forth of Christ will take place in His people. It will not be the usual way of living or acting or responding. A new creation is taking shape.

While the Apostles were with us, led by the Holy Spirit they wrote about the actual experiences that took place in their lives. When they passed away, men tried to interpret what the Apostles had written without the experience, leaving us with little understanding of what it meant to have this new creation formed in us to the place that we could give our lives for the gospel. The results have been a gospel of works – people trying to do good deeds to gain salvation. Works will always follow the true believer. But what God is looking for is a converted soul, i.e. a transformed mind, will, and emotions, all totally devoted to Him.

So throughout the past 2000 years God has been adding His Wisdom and revelation and understanding line upon line until we gain the understanding of what it is He has provided for us through the cross and the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

At this time, we are in a tremendous day. Not only is sin coming to maturity, but the sons of God are also coming to maturity. Therefore, when the 7^th trumpet is set to sound suddenly, this travail the church has been in will bring forth the image of Christ.

Simultaneously, the maturity of evil will also increase so that the maturity of Christ may come forth. Here is the point: God does not want us to react to evil things. He wants us proactive – prepared for the worst and able to endure anything that happens so the world might find Jesus. [As a counselor I am told many things. But I can’t react to any of it or I will lose the hurting individual.] Nothing can move me in these days. Our responsibility is to stress what God is doing and not what Satan is doing. That is the mind of Christ ruling your inner man. You are going to see bad things happen because this nation is on a moral landslide that isn’t going to stop. If Satan can get your attention, he will keep you locked up until you have made yourself sick and dysfunctional. Don’t give him any notice or acknowledgment -– keep your eyes on Jesus. Jesus said when you see the sons of the devil (the tares) coming to maturity, you will see the sons of God (the wheat) also come to maturity. [You will see it.] This is not a gimmick.

According to Revelation 12 the first thing Satan is coming after is the forming of Christ in the Saints. Then after he chases them away, he will go after the rest of the church and vrs.16 tells us the earth will help the church get through. Rev 12:16 (KJV) “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.”

Verse 4 tells us the devil is ready to devour this new image The Greek word is – katesthio, meaning to devour, to eat away a little at a time. Satan is not out to kill you, but to devour you. When you eat meat, you don’t kill it; you devour it a little at a time. And that is what this means [root - phago - to eat meat = to consume by eating.] Satan chews on you a little at a time. If he would just attack us and kill us, we would be alright. But he keeps nibbling away –- through constant irritations that keep your mind distracted. That is how he gets at the image of Christ being formed in us. Remember, he is the “Lord of the flies” (Beelzebub). How many of you like flies pestering you all the time?

As Christ’s image is being formed in us, it is caught up unto God and to His throne. Satan doesn’t want that. As long as we stay at the throne and keep ascending, we are victorious. This is more than doctrine. This is experience. And you will discover that what you go through is not haphazard or random. It is all designed to bring forth Christ. When you maintain that kind of mentality, you will fight and be victorious to complete the process. You will keep going to the Lord for understanding and wisdom instead of feeling sorry for yourself because your life isn’t what you intend for it to be. Acknowledge the Lord in it all, and you will gain a strength that goes far beyond your natural abilities.

If you are offended by someone in the body of Christ, Satan will begin to nibble away at that offense until you want to seek revenge. Revenge doesn’t come from our Heavenly Father. You have to keep praying until the formation of Christ overrules your vengeful thinking so God can take you up to His right hand. You can sense that release while you are praying. When a sense of reprieve or release comes, you have “prayed through.”

There is a problem with this generation. They do not know how to pray through. We have been told in the past 10-15 years that tarrying and praying through isn’t necessary because the Holy Spirit is in you. That was not good teaching because now we have few who want to spend the time to pray through for much of anything. Praying through is taking the time to interact with the Lord until you KNOW He has answered. You will get the assurance of knowing God has heard and has taken care of the matter. As you continue to pray through, Christ in your will be formed in you enough that will be caught up to the throne of peace and grace and mercy. Your emotions have to come under the cross so you can experience the release of God’s answer. Be warned that many of the afflictions coming to people today are unheard of; and unless we touch God and break through, we are going to suffer needlessly.

We don’t have the people today that are willing to sacrifice their time in prayer. They are willing to sacrifice their time to make money, but not to build the kingdom of God so that they can walk in the victory in the day of battle. When you are able to pray through to a peace, you will have the assurance that God is going to supply your every need according to His riches in glory.

The more you give to the god of this world, the more the enemy can devour you a little at a time until you are unable to stand through anything.

Another area that eats away at our lives is the immorality that rules this nation, especially our children! I don’t have to go into details. I grew up with a stern view against immoral choices. I still agree with that belief; and because I don’t want immorality in my life, I won’t give in to it around me or in my home or on the TV. [I do not want to join the moral majority so I can sit around and view immoral films to give them a rating. That is obscene. But that is what Christians do today.]

Personal ambition will eat away at your life, motivating you in trying to be something you are not or somebody of importance. Let God direct your choices. Don’t strive to be important or popular. Why not become “nothing”? Say to the Lord, “Here I am again, Lord, just nothing. If you can use me fine; otherwise, I’ll just be nothing.” Constantly pray, “Lord I know nothing at all today except what You give me.” 1Co 8:2 “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”

Be careful not to allow fear to rule your hearts and minds. The Lord doesn’t like it when you are fearful, but the enemy loves it. Fear is like putting ketchup on French fries. You can devour them. And that is what the dragon does when you walk in fear. He chews and chews and chews on you until you feel you are torn to pieces. Fear is a sign that we lack confidence in God’s willingness and ability to take care of us.

Heb 13:5-6 (KJV) “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Unforgiveness will also keep you from the throne of God. I used to hope if I could just get closer to the Lord, people would stop hurting me and causing pain. God’s process doesn’t work that way. You have to come to the place that when people hurt you, you won’t react; instead, you will take it to the Lord to see what He says about it. That attitude will lift you up to the throne of God instead of allowing Satan to devour you.

When you are living in the Spirit of God all of these things that eat away at you will stop. You will find this new image taking control and lifting you out of anything that happens, and you will find the fullness of life and be able to maintain a victorious example of life.

Gal 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Rom 8:1 “[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. “

-Pr. Steve

I am going to be sharing with you thoughts from my journal over the past few years. This is to show you how the Lord has brought about His Word in my life to minister to you and to show you how real this walk can be. Please read and understand by the Spirit about ...

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2011

Feb 05: Lord, my heart is not proud, my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child with its mother. I am like a little child (Psm.131).

Feb 10: Cling to Me. Cling to My person. Cling to My power. Cling to My purpose and you will be safe at the onslaught of the enemy in the land. Many will be hurt, but those who cling to Me will be safe.

Feb 14: You are living in the Spirit. He is guiding you and making you one with Me. He is instructing you in the way to live. I am your source of strength. Everything is working together for your good. So keep listening and keep following, for the way is prepared.

Feb 18: Because Christ Jesus lives in me I can feel and experience what He feels and experiences. I bear the burden of Christ in my being. I am willing. I trust the experience of Christ Jesus in me.

Feb 19: My soul, praise the Lord.

Feb 21: Call on Me and I will answer you and tell you great and wondrous things you do not know.

Feb 24: “Restoration is, in fact, happening wherever God’s people are sacrificing everything to live and work and suffer as Christ did” (Andrew Murray).

Feb 26: If you are being judged by Me, then I have come to you! Remain in Me and much fruit will come forth.

The Change

We have entered into a year of change. We will either be changed by the events and influences around us, or we will instead effect change in those events and influences. Merriam Webster defines the word “change” as: “1. to make different in some particular, 2. too to become different.” We don’t need to change just for the sake of change, but we will be changing according to God’s creative plan when we are led by Christ and are growing into deeper relationship with Our Heavenly Father.

Gen 35:1-5 (KJV) “And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. (2) Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: (3) And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. (4) And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. (5) And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.”

In the above text, God reminds Jacob of the vow he had made at Bethel and sends him forth to fulfill it. Jacob had said in the day of his distress, “If I come again in peace, this stone shall be God's house” (Genesis 28:22). God had performed His part; He had given Jacob more than bread to eat and more than raiment to put on; but it seems Jacob had forgotten his vow, or, at least, deferred the performance of it. God said, “and dwell there” — That is, Jacob was not only to go himself, but he was to take his family with him, that they might join with him in his devotions. The name “Bethel” is interpreted: “The house of God” and sometimes interpreted as “the house of bread”; but both refer to the Word of God. Today, there is the call to return to the Church, to come back to the preached word of God, and to put away things that have replaced our devotions to God. Don’t forsake time spent with the Lord, and do cast down things that have caused the flame of God in our hearts to die down. Then go on to replace them with those things that will build faith and wholeness of heart.

It is interesting that the instructions were to put away the strange gods that were in their hands, and the earrings that were in their ears. Those are areas of touch and hearing that are associated with the people’s beliefs and their desires. Not mentioned are the areas of seeing and speaking; and although they are not mentioned in the above text, they are affected by the things we hear and touch as well. If you don’t think so, just ask Adam & Eve.

Heb 10:23-25 (KJV) “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

As followers of Jesus Christ we must always bring our lives into subjection to the Word and the Holy Spirit of God, and this obedience is especially true in the times when there is reluctance in our hearts and a compulsion to compromise instead of doing that which the Lord asks of us. If we will humble ourselves before Him, seek to obey Him, and set our hearts and minds upon Him, He will help us. Remember, every decision we make will not only have an effect on us personally but will also bleed out to the other members of the body of Christ and those who are still lost.

2Th 2:1-17 (KJV) “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17) Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

-Kurt Thurston

Quotes:

Definition of “iconoclast” : “The breaker or destroyer of images or idols set up for veneration. A person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditions, institutions and error.

Definition of “forerunners”: Those who come into things first. God deals with the church before He deals with the world (ref), and He deals with natural things before spiritual things (ref). Prophetic people in the church are even further ahead and as a result are quite out of step with the mainstream. They are often in the opposite phase, e.g. happy when everyone else is sad, sad when everyone else is happy.

"The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it."

-A.W. Tozer

"Revival is when God gets so sick and tired of being misrepresented that He shows Himself."

-Leonard Ravenhill

"Adversity doesn't build character; it reveals it."

- Anonymous

"Christ always identified Himself with the least, the last, and the lost."

- Unknown

"The secret of Christianity is not asking Jesus into your heart; it is Jesus asking us into His."

- Unknown

Kid’s Korner

Four-year-old Mitch loved candy almost as much as his mom Ann did. He and Daddy had given her a beautiful heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. A few days later Mitch was eyeing it, wishing to have a piece of it. As he reached out to touch one of the big pieces, Ann said to him, "If you touch it, then you have to eat it. Do you understand?"

"Oh, yes," he said, nodding his head. Suddenly his little hand patted the tops of all the pieces of candy. "Now I can eat them all."

-Author Unknown

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

Major Prophets by: Dr. Charles Gaulden

His course is a study of the major prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah.

March 8-10, 2012

JANUARY NEWSLETTER 2012

2012-01-05T10:01:00.001-05:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 21, No. 1 January 2012

This month begins our 21^st year in publishing the gospel through our newsletter. The key verse the Lord gave me 25 years ago when we started the church was 2 Thessalonians 3:1 which says, “Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified with you.” Well, we have been faithful to that call. Now this word goes around the world through the internet as we have those reading our newsletter from more than 50 countries worldwide. With all the activity that is available from the internet I believe it is God who directs people that desire the true Word of God. People are hungry for the Word. There are so many false words going forth today, we have to be built up through truth just to keep our heads above water.

If you keep reading in 2 Thessalonians it says when the Word of God goes forward unhindered; it delivers us from wicked and unreasonable men who have not faith. There is so much false faith today, but we must be delivered if we are going to move on in our salvation.

Verse 3 says that the Lord is faithful who will establish you and keep you from evil. The evil is maturing rapidly, but our God will establish us in the Word and keep our souls from the evil that tries to overtake us.

So I bless and praise the Lord for His faithful hand that stays upon us to guide and keep us in the victory and that life abundant comes from above and causes us to rejoice in the glory that awaits us.

May the Lord be with you all this coming year to remain close to the One who loves you the most.

In Christ,

Pr. Steve

Relinquish Control (Revelation 10:5-7:2)

If we are going to be true to the Lord, we are going to have to listen to both positive and negative things that God is doing. We see this contrast in the OT and in the NT. When one looks at the OT prophets, most of the things that they prophesied were not positive unless the people were in obedience to God. Today we don’t want to hear this requirement. If someone is speaking prophetically, either from the pulpit or from the pew, many in the congregation want to hear the message only if it is positive. But if we recognize the day we are in, then we must be willing to hear what God has to say. One reason I believe prophecy is in trouble in this nation is a result of this fact. People don’t want to hear judgment. Yet this is what God is saying. Unless God’s judgments are coming forth, people are hearing self-proclaimed and self-pleasing sermons.

Our role as ministers of the gospel is not to speak what people want to hear but what God is saying.

We are in the time in which “chaos” is ruling our nation, and it has trickled down to every area of life.

In Rev.12 we are told that Satan comes down from the heavens into the earth to create chaos for mankind. Literally, this is speaking about demonic forces that are released because of sin and a refusal to repent and serve the Lord. Demons are given free access as a result of the moral depravation of our nation. We idolize the impure. We tolerate mixture, and God says He won’t have it. Mixture makes our Christianity an abomination to Him.

Rev 14:13 (KJV) “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

“Henceforth” – from the time that you see the antichrist spirit begin to rule. God will send a special angel to take control of all the events that will take place when sin reaches its maturity. He will be in charge of events, of economics and of nature. Nevertheless, we do not have to fear what takes place. God is in control.

God wants us to learn the secret of “relinquishing” control. Let me give you an example. Have you ever wanted something so badly you prayed and prayed and prayed and nothing happened? You believed you were doing what the Bible had taught you. [Ex: you got sick and begged God to heal you, but you only got worse.] So you finally came to the place you couldn’t pray any longer. You didn’t know what to do and so you let go and told the Lord to have His way with you. And then something happens. THAT IS RELINQUISHING CONTROL. There are many times in life when this is the only thing you can do to make sure God is in control.

This lesson does not come easily because we have been taught we need to help God accomplish His will for us. But we are coming to the day when God will send His angel and take control of all the events of this world, and we are going to have to know how to relinquish control. You see, the Lord is looking for the Christ in us -- not our deeds or the wonderful things we have accomplished – but the Christ in us.

Churches are still trying to make revival happen. I want it as much as anyone, but I can’t make it happen. I have to let go and trust the Lord.

Relinquishment is not passivity. The majority of the church is passive and always has been. You can tell you are moving into passivity when you can’t make a decision. You begin to feel as if you don’t know the Lord’s will or how to accomplish anything. You don’t know if you should get up and do something or sit still and wait on God. {I believe each of us experiences this temptation and must shake it off before it takes over.} Don’t allow yourself to think this way. Remember, you become what you think.

Do not allow yourself to become an empty vessel; for if you do, little demons will come and take over. Keep yourself filled with the Spirit at all times. When you feel you are not doing enough, be filled with more of Jesus because the Father is not looking for empty vessels. He is looking for Jesus. The Father is looking for people who are being trained and discipled to obey.

Passivity will cause you to doubt the decisions you do make, whether you are right or wrong. One thing about being in the rest of God is that your decision- making becomes sharp and clear. You watch and pray and act with determination and not double-mindedness.

When you see people who are passive, empty vessels who act according to whatever moves them at the moment, pray for them because God can’t use them until they learn to relinquish control. God is looking for people who are willing to make firm and decisive decisions, even if they make mistakes. The humble can learn from their errors. DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES! At least you have something leading you.

The problem with trying to grasp something is that we want to do it our way. Have you ever tried to make someone into your image? [Husbands vs. Wives?] When you do, you destroy creativity. God does not want us making people in our image. That is part of dying. That is relinquishing! Most people have good in them and most people have bad in them. We want them to be a certain way, even when they are handicapped. It is called grace. We would rather rush to judgment when someone does not do what we think he or she should be doing. “That person is supposed to be a leader, but he doesn’t act like it. I act better than he does.” We are all guilty of this judgmental comparison in one way or another. How much abuse goes on in homes today because someone is not the way you want him or her to be?

John Wesley used to preach that his wife better be a virtuous woman or else she would pay. “This is the way I expect a woman to be and she better do it.” He was known as not being a good husband, yet much of the church of today uses his guiding hand to lead others. We all have vices and weaknesses that must be given grace.

When you pray about something and you know you can have it, then step out cautiously, but with a determination to do the best you can. Don’t be wishy-washy. If it doesn’t cause a lot of anger and confusion, then do it. When the Lord changes something, have you ever noticed how patient and kind and loving He is? He never comes down hard on us.

It is so important to understand “dying in the Lord” because the evil is beginning to mount sp high we won’t be able to cope with it. When you come to the place where you get up and say, “Man, I can’t handle it anymore!” That is when you relinquish control. Pray, but pray about how you want to be able to get through the difficulty and glorify the Lord. You don’t have to stop asking the Lord for the things you need or want; but keep it light. Don’t grasp it so tightly you are controlling it – trying to make something happen. When Satan sees you grasping something, he moves in and brings fear that will cause you to force things. Naturally, we are inclined to hold on to things that we think are essential for our well-being. When things begin to shake, you can’t hold on to everything.

When you have prayed and done all you can but nothing is happening, then give it to the Lord and relinquish control. You don’t have to drive yourself crazy trying to deal with this darkness. Isa 28:16 “…he that believeth shall not make haste.”

The Lord wants us to rest in Him while He straightens things out. We are going to see chaos – educational, moral, financial, physical, and every other area. Get in the boat and ride it out with the Lord.

Rev 10:1 (KJV) “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:”

“I saw a mighty angel.” Get ready for the power of God to be released in the midst of chaos. Look for it and expect it. We are in a powerful day. We will see things that we only imagined coming from Satan and from God.

The phrase “with a cloud” always speaks of the coming of the Lord – get ready.

The reference to “a rainbow” speaks of the Father around the throne of Jesus Christ. What John is telling us is that he saw an angel coming in the power of the Father! And that is why when you see all the things that are to come – you can rest. God has sent His special angel. Don’t be surprised if you begin to see these things come to pass.

“His face was like the sun” = righteousness (Mat.13:43 – the righteous will shine forth like the sun after the tares are removed.)

“Feet as pillars of fire” = judgment. His judgment will move out from the church and into the earth. So we must turn away from worldliness, lustfulness and earthly passions (i.e. self-will – the things we want to hold onto without involving the Lord in the decisions.)

God is dealing with His people preparing us for this unprecedented day. He doesn’t want you to make decisions and then ask Him to bless your efforts. First, ask Him and see what direction you can go. If you do, you will survive these days.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2011

Jan 02: You will be stronger this year, in the Lord.

Jan 03: You make everything beautiful in Your time! The beauty of Christ is becoming more of a reality.

Jan 06: Please pardon the wrong doing of your people in keeping with the greatness of Your faithful love (Numbers 14:19).

Jan 10: You are going to know the way to go in the days ahead if you keep looking to Me to guide you. Through the darkness I will guide you into safety. Keep your heart pure and your mind guarded to maintain clarity. There is much that is needed, but I am the Provider and My Word is true.

Proverbs 14:18 “The sensible are crowned with knowledge.”

Jan 13: If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus ‘tis now!

Jan 14: I will love You, O Lord My God. Above all else, I will love you.

Jan 17: When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory (Col.3:4).

Jan 18: There is victory ahead for you.

Jan 21: Be confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil.1:6).

Jan 24: In obedience and sacrifice you are blessed! The Lord will fulfill His purpose for you. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.

Jan 29: Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in Thee!

Jan 30: That you be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled, neither by spirit nor by word, as that the day of Christ is at hand (2 Thess.2:2).

Jan 31: I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit (Isa.57:15).

To Be Found In Christ

Are we still living according to our own desires? Or have we dropped all of our alternative courses and set our face like a flint in the one direction where we were created to live?

Jer 1:5 (KJV) “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

God knows all of us before we are born, and He knows why He created us, and what He created us to do. He knows the “why,” and the “when,” and the “where we were born” as well as the “where we are to live our lives.” The Lord’s plan for each of us has been in place since before we were born. It is also good to know that God never intended for us to do anything alone. In the book of Genesis we find that God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day each and every day; but when they were removed from the Garden of Eden because they chose a different lifestyle, they no longer enjoyed that close relationship with Him.

Eph 2:10-22 (KJV) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (11) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (18) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Hallelujah!, if we had not yet been able to grasp the fact that God has made a way, through the blood of His Son, for us to understand and walk in the purpose He created us for, we definitely should be able to grasp it now: “WE ARE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD!” We were born to be children of God and to grow into His likeness - or image. Everything that we experience as we follow His direction is to prepare us for eternity with Him. The people who are of the world (even worldly “Christians”) are caught up in many different quests involving cures for hypothetical problems such as global warming, and/or consumed with exhaustive measures to solve mysteries that have perplexed mankind for centuries, such as the existence of extraterrestrial life forms, the positioning of ancient stones in the middle of nowhere, the way the pyramids were erected, hidden creatures that live deep in the oceans, along with other worldly preoccupations such as lifelong efforts to find cures for deadly sexually transmitted diseases (while the answer is really not a cure but rather dealing with the cause). But on an issue that probably hits closer to home for the majority of people in general, the real tragedy is that multitudes never discover the reason that they were created; and they don’t really understand why they exist. Why is that discovery, that understanding important? Because people are missing out on the best life they could ever live. In fact, many even desire to end their lives because they neither know and follow their Maker, nor do they understand the reason that they exist.

Jer 29:11 (KJV) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

-Kurt Thurston

Quotes:

"The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos; the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray."

- A. W. Tozer

"The Bible definitely is infallible, how else could it survive so many years of bad preaching?"

- Leonard Ravenhill

God will indeed reward us according to our faithfulness. What does it mean to be faithful? It means to keep going even when you feel like quitting. No one ever said, “I’ve been faithful to enjoy ice cream for my dessert every night for a week!” No, being faithful implies a temptation to be unfaithful. It means hanging in there when you feel like abandoning ship.

- Author Unknown

“God's will is hard only when it comes up against our stubbornness, then it is as cruel as a ploughshare and as devastating as an earthquake.”

- Oswald Chambers

"It takes spiritual authority to bless others. Many Christians say, "God bless you," but one clearly senses that although the words express a kind wish, they lack real spiritual authority."

- M. Basilea Schlink

We are never, never so much in danger of being proud as when we think we are humble."

- C.H. Spurgeon

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

Freer Than You Ever Dreamed by Dr. Sue Curran

This course explores the subject of authority over the power of the enemy and

establishes the student in this authority. Upon this foundation of authority, the full scope of deliverance is taught.

February 9-11, 2012

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-12-01T13:55:00.003-05:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 12 December 2011

Sometimes people disappoint us. It is hard to swallow the way people react to different things, especially the people of God. They say they are spiritual but reveal another side that is not so holy. How can someone say they love you, but reject you at the same time? I don’t know other than that they are believing a lie and have not been changed into the moral image of Christ. They know how to put on a good front, but behind your back they reject you.

Most of us have experienced this in some way or the other and simply say, “I am through with that person” and leave it at that. But when we do that it leaves an empty feeling inside. Over time you can forget about them, but then when you see them again it starts all over.

When will the church practice what is being preached and walk in true repentance. True repentance turns and holds nothing against the other person no matter what.

I am so glad for the forgiving power of Christ that holds nothing against us. I want so much to walk as Christ walked, but I guess there will continue to be the Christian who does not want to walk in forgiveness and become a vessel of honor that can reveal a true and loving God. Maybe someday maturity will take place and that person who has rejected you will make things right.

Anyway the holidays are now before us. So let us walk in the love that is truly from the Lord Jesus and not allow the enemy to rob us of our peace and joy and righteous behavior. And above all, don’t hold on to things that you have no control over. Let the love of Christ shine!

Pr. Steve

Warnings

Heb 4:1-6 (KJV) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. (2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (3) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (4) For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. (5) And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. (6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Today God is clarifying His purpose for salvation. He is directing us to move forward in His plan that will carry us through some very difficult times. And we will be victorious and we will overcome, for God has ordained it. There may be difficulties such as we have never encountered before, but they will only make us stronger.

Notice, the text begins with a discourse on the rest of God then continues as a warning to instruct us with edifying words that will encourage us to move forward with the plan and purposes of God. The writer goes on to tell us in chapter 5 that we must not remain babies and children in understanding the ways of God. Chapter 6 begins with exhorting us to progress beyond the basic elements of our salvation and go on to true discipleship. And yet the church has been stuck in this matter for over a generation. One of the problems is that people do not want to grow up, especially when things are easy. We have had a whole generation that has learned how to play in America, and the church has not pressed forward with the teachings of scriptures.

Do you remember the story about Josiah? When they were cleaning out the temple they found the book of the law. It had been missing for about 100 years. When they read it to Josiah he cried out, “Woe, woe, woe.” So he sent for the prophetess Hulda and she said, “It is too late. God has made up His mind. You will be saved, and have a decent burial, but I am through with Israel.” There comes a time when God will not change His mind -- and it comes when His people get so far from the written word that He won’t tolerate their disobedience any longer. That is where we are today.

God is revealing to us His Word for those who are willing to accept and listen and press forward.

What are the elemental teachings of Christ? (Hebrews 6:1-2)

1. Repentance from acts that lead to death – Today we have changed the call to “Let Jesus into your heart.” Repentance from works of the flesh is the true Biblical way of salvation. The writer of Hebrews says to go on to maturity, so none of these works produced from the flesh represents maturity.

2. Faith in God – This is the Faith of Christ, not what you want, but what He decides. This understanding is elementary.

3. Baptism(s) – in water, in Christ, and then in the Spirit.

4. Laying on of hands – This was greatly emphasized in 1950 with the inception of the “latter reign movement.” Today it is widely accepted in most churches. But when it first started it was considered heresy by the Assemblies of God. After a man named Stanley Frodsham wrote a book entitled With Signs Following about the laying on of hands, he was expelled from the A/G. Frodsham is also the one who started the THE PENTECOSTAL EVANGEL, a magazine still in publication today. This man was very godly and had a tremendous anointing and teaching. Today, his teachings are widely accepted.

5. Resurrection from the dead – Today the doctrine of resurrection has become confused and is not taught according to the Word of God. Satan knows the relevance of resurrection, so he keeps people below the bar so they will not be prepared at the day of resurrection. Instead, Satan has substituted a “rapture” for “resurrection.” In contrast to the rapture which makes no demands on you, the resurrection must be attained to – first in our inner nature. That is why Paul said, “If by any means I might attain to the resurrection” (Phil.3:11). Until you attain to the inner resurrection, you will not be victorious in the day of battle – you will not have the confidence that is needed to press into Jesus. You cannot put an adamic nature into a glorified body. What is required is new wine in new skins. The goal is the resurrection – and this doctrine is still elementary.

6. Eternal judgment – Look at the progression. If you have gone on with the Lord in baptism and laying on of hands, we are told that spiritually we are resurrected with Christ and seated in heavenly places (this is a spiritual position) (Col.3:1). If you continue on in following the Lord and do not lose your position at the right hand of God, then you begin to be judged for your actions. Even though you are living by faith, you still have areas that must be dealt with. Yes, there is a judgment seat that all will stand before. But by the time that takes place, you should have already been judged so there is no fear of death or the next life.

Once you go through the process of judgment you become a threat to the kingdom of darkness. And Satan does not want the church to know this so he can keep her immature, powerless and unable to impact the world. What is the life that we must lay down in order to be ready for resurrection? Our will! Until then we are not ready for resurrection and to be judged. Until we lay down our will (our life), we are not ready for our eternal Sabbath or the rest of God. We must live by His eternal desires, not ours; by His strength, not ours; and by His wisdom, not ours. This is the goal.

Only after we go through these elementary areas of our Christian walk, can we press into the rest of God. Then you can say with absolute assurance, Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

“I am no longer living” – that is the rest of God! Here is what happens. As you press into the resurrection, the things in your life that God does not want there begin to be dealt with. FEAR! Fear is the greatest threat to obeying the voice of God. We are afraid to be used by God because of what people might think. It is a handicap that doesn’t belong in the Kingdom of God.

So God begins to reveal to us that we are fearful. Take note of those who are the first group of people in the Lake of Fire -- the fearful, not the immoral. God always challenges His people first. What does the Word tell us about fear?

2Ti 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Fear makes you double-minded so you cannot receive anything from God. God wants us to have a fearless attitude that says,

Ø “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Ø “I can do all things through Christ who is my strength.”

Ø “A thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; [but] it shall not come near me.”

The enemy wants to convince you that this earth does not belong to you – “Just go on and get to heaven and leave me alone.” But this is our inheritance! Yet we just sit back and let the enemy destroy it. When your family is attacked, do you just sit idly by and say, “Do whatever you want?” Of course not! We are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us. Don’t be a pacifist. Be a warrior!

Faith and fear cannot dwell in your heart at the same time. Fear becomes your testimony that God is not able to keep you. God does not like it when He sees one of His Holy Spirit-filled people becoming frightened. Yes, fearlessness in Christ takes maturity and stamina. Yes, there are healthy fears. I am not talking about those. I am talking about fears that keep you from doing what you know is righteous.

Are you a child of God? Then act like it! If you want to worship Satan, then worship him. But stop being lukewarm and fearful! God is a jealous God. If you are going to be a child of the King, then act like it. [I was raised not to fight back, but that teaching made me weak and fearful. I never tried to do anything nervy or to stand up for myself. But that concept changed many years ago. I’ll try anything within reason if fear is what holds me back.] There is much freedom that takes place when you break the spirit of fear.

Fear paralyzes. Come to the Lord and tell Him what you want to be – in this way you are passing judgment on the thing that God opposes. Then Christ will come and drive that thing out of you and fill you with courage. God takes the bad and gives the good as you press into the resurrection every day.

The Word of God tells us that fear belongs in the Lake of Fire. So you take the authority – as much and as often as you need to – until you can tell the difference and move forward. Renounce the fear and send it away. That kind of judgment will take you into new heights you have never been before.

And guess what! Once this process happens in your life, you will recognize you have come to the beginning of wisdom because now the only fear that will lead you is the fear of the Lord.

It is extremely timely that we find the rest of God. We must go on beyond the elementary teachings of the church and find the maturity in Christ that will give us the liberty and freedom that will enable us to battle without fear and to become true overcomers.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

Dec. 4: “You don’t have joy in tribulation, but you will. You don’t know how to rejoice when trouble strikes, but I will put this in you. I am Joy, you can rejoice in Me. I am your delight and I am always there for you. You don’t have to carry the burdens alone. I am strength and I care about everything you care about. I am getting stronger in you and bringing about the change that matters and will last. So rejoice and again I say rejoice.”

Dec. 7: He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. The Lord will provide what is good. Show me a sign of Your goodness.

Dec. 9: Faith – the substance of things hoped for. Yes, I see your faith!

Dec. 13: Let the name of the Lord be praised, from the rising of the sun to its going down.

Dec. 15: “Let the peace of Messiah, to which you were called in one body, control your hearts, be thankful” (Col 3:15)

Dec. 24: “You are on the right path, keep going. You are making the right decisions, keep going. You are safe, keep going. My hand is guiding you step by step. I will rescue My own!” “He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty”

Dec. 27: “I am with you. I am guiding you with My eye. I am standing with you in your decisions. My Kingdom is in you and the direction that you are taking is correct. Rejoice in the direction I am taking you.”

Dec. 29: “I will bless My church in the New Year. Living Word will experience My anointing in a fresh way and My blessing will pour forth. Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you and show you My salvation.”

Dec. 31: I adore You alone, Dear Lord. You are worthy all praise and adoration. You are faithful in Your word. You come through to accomplish Your will in us. We struggle and strain at what is important, but You are all that is important. Thank You for a year of breakthrough and victory in the ministry and in serving you. I have learned more lessons and am ready to fulfill what You have in store for me in the year to come. Thanks be to God who always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus! My heart rejoices in You.

Are You Prepared?

It has been written in a recently published article that Bible history tells us to prepare; Church history tells us to prepare; recent history tells us to prepare; current history tells us to prepare, the World political and economic situation tells us to prepare, and finally, common sense tells us to prepare. The questions of the hour are: 1. Are we discerning the signs of the times? 2. Are we ignoring the warnings and the signs? 3. Are we staying tuned into the direction of the Holy Spirit concerning how we should prepare? Some American Christians are convinced that they will be taken out of this realm (raptured) before anything big really happens, but that view is contradicted by the number of Christians already suffering and dying all over the world because of their uncompromising faith in Jesus Christ as well as by the intense events described to be divine judgments upon the earth.

Mat 6:25-34 (KJV) “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (27) Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (28) And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

I have never heard preached that God wants people to just sit back and do nothing at all, while expecting God to supply their every need; nor do I believe that He intended the scriptures to be interpreted that way. But rather, I agree with the biblical commentaries that interpret the inference of the Word of the Lord in that passage to be: “Take no thought”: The cognate noun is care, which was formerly derived from a part; to divide; and was explained accordingly as a dividing care, distracting the heart from the true object of life.” “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (MHCC)

The question is about what to prepare for? The questions of how to prepare will all be answered when we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first and foremost, above and before the things of this world. Every circumstance of life can have great benefits when we have the heavenly perspective. We won’t always have the answer to the “Why,” but we will always have His presence to lead and to guide.

Heb 13:5-6 (KJV) “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

We, like the great patriarchs of the Old Testament and believers of the New, can trust in and be led by the Lord. Then we, like Noah, will be prepared for floods; and like David, for war, and like Solomon, for persecution, and like the Apostle Paul, for a faith-filled lifestyle; but best of all, like Jesus, we will be prepared for a solid walk and loving relationship with our Heavenly Father both now and forever.

-Kurt Thurston

Quotes:

“The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions.

Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”

- Leonard Ravenhill

"With all thy getting, get unction."

- Leonard Ravenhill

“Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.”

- Corrie Ten Boom

"If the whole Church goes off into deception,that will in no way excuse us for not following Christ."

- Leonard Ravenhill

"To know what you believe, look at what you do."

- Anonymous

Kid’s Korner

The pastor was looking over the crèche the day after Christmas when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing. He went outside and saw a little boy pulling a new red wagon. In the wagon was Jesus.
We walked up to the boy and said, "Hi, there. Where did you get the baby Jesus?"
The boy answered honestly, "In the church."
"Why did you take him?" the pastor asked.
"Well," said the boy, "I prayed to the Lord Jesus and asked him for a wagon for Christmas. I told Him that if He gave me one, I'd take Him for a ride in it."
-Author Unknown

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

Peter: The Man and His Ministry by Dr. Ian Bond

Simon Peter was the principal figure in the pivotal decade of human history. A

devoted disciple, a cowering coward, and a powerful proclaimer of the resurrected Christ. This course unfolds how Jesus transformed Simon, an upright man, yet

easily swayed and unstable like a “reed,” into Peter, the first “rock” upon whom He

could build His Church.

January 12-14, 2012

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-11-03T12:17:00.001-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 11 November 2011

When times are tough and you are experiencing difficulties, there is one thing that really makes the difference: FRIENDS! Without friends it is very difficult to overcome some situations. But having a friend who will help you and with whom you can share lifts burdens and allows you to carry on.

Pro 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

This is what I like about the family of God. A true friend is there for you no matter what. You find out who your true friends are when you need something. You find out who your true friends are when you want to help and reach out. The problem is that this generation doesn’t always know what true friendship is because they are afraid to let themselves be known. When you are criticized over and over again, it is hard to believe that someone will accept you just the way you are.

Well, Jesus is that kind of friend. Although people are important friends, there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He will be there and accept you no matter what. But you have to reach out to Him. In this day we are going to need this kind of friendship. Our way of living may not last much longer. But when you have Jesus as your closest friend, then you will make it. You will overcome. You will still be that wonderful person that makes you who you are. And you will know that friendships enable you to fulfill life’s greatest moments.

I hope that you are reaching out and being a friend to someone today. In fact, allow yourself to be a friend to as many as need you. This is the friendship that allows the love of God to flow through you without measure.

In Christ,

Pr. Steve

Relationship & Conduct

Gal 2:11 (AMP) “But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I protested and opposed him to his face [concerning his conduct there], for he was blameable and stood condemned.”

Peter was falling back under the law. He was trying to get people to serve the Lord according to the ways of Judaism because people were becoming complacent. Peter was more afraid of the people than of God. Paul didn’t like it; he accused Peter because he was guilty of the act. Paul was upset because Peter’s teaching had driven Barnabas away from the faith.

On Peter’s behalf, Paul did not always spell out what he was talking about. It was difficult for people to understand what was being taught because it was not the usual instruction. Paul had great revelations that went right over the people’s heads. It is no different today. What God is speaking cannot be received naturally. To come up to His way of understanding takes discernment and a desire to know the everlasting God.

Here was the depth of Paul’s concern with Peter. Paul was not against the law. Paul was against sin, stating in verse 17 that one could not be justified in Christ Jesus and continue to sin. We have this same problem today. When people sin, they want to go back to the law to justify their actions.

Paul gives us this great verse 20. The answer to not being under the law and not being able to sin is “death to the old nature.” The only way to obey the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is to be dead to the old nature and alive in Christ.

Now if we believe that to be true, the question is how do I accomplish it? Remember this: things are not as they appear to be!

In order to keep people from understanding how to die in Christ and live in Christ, the enemy is keeping people from seeing the way things truly are. Does anyone believe our government? Are not all the signs revealing a cover-up to keep our economy operating? Can anyone believe our leaders without considering what they are not telling us? Does this not leave us with feelings of misrepresentation? Such is the norm for our day. [The average person lies 4 times a day.]

Now let’s bring this home to the church at large. Is the truth of the gospel being preached; or do we believe, like Peter, we can fall back under the law so we can justify sin?

Basic Protestant belief says: Salvation comes when an individual develops a heartfelt faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not dependent on how one acts on earth but rather on a relationship with Christ.

What does it mean to have a relationship with Christ without it affecting your actions on earth? It is not possible to have a relationship with Jesus Christ without it affecting your conduct on earth. They are telling us all you need is to believe in the basic elements of Christianity and Jesus Christ and you will be saved. To believe -- that is not a relationship. To believe facts is not a relationship. [If I know how old the president is and where he came from and what he did in life, does that knowledge make me have a relationship with him?] I don’t think so!

A relationship is established when you interact with someone; you listen to the good and the bad; you submit one to the other; and you share common interest and goals.

Today, a majority of Americans are living a lie and wondering why our government does not speak truth and uncover the facts of what is truly going on.

What does the Bible tell us? Gal 5:19-21 (KJV) “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Do those words sound as if one’s deeds do not affect salvation? Not unless you want to make a difference between the Kingdom of God and salvation.

2Co 5:10 (KJV) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

You may not think this is important, but what about the generation coming up behind you? Do they understand this? Do we live only for ourselves, or do we truly want others to know the gospel? The reason we live in Christ is so that we will no longer live according to works of the flesh. You can’t do both. Either you live by the Spirit or you live by the flesh. As you grow in Christ, the works of the flesh become weaker and weaker until you are able to be ruled by the Spirit of Christ.

I am not saying that we save ourselves by our behavior. I am not preaching works! I am saying that we must have a genuine relationship with Christ Jesus that causes us to cast off the works of darkness and live according to the light that is daily growing in us so we can maintain an active relationship with our Beloved. And if we are related to Christ, a change will occur in the way we live and act on the earth.

Mat 5:16 (KJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Is this speaking about Christians in the world? Is He talking about a statement of faith? What is it that the world needs to see? (Answer = GOOD WORKS). Good works outside of the image of Jesus Christ do not make you a Christian. The light that shines before men causing you to do good works is what makes you a Christian and glorifies your Father which is in heaven.

What happens if true Christians do not do good works? Men will not praise God. Do you see how much is missing in our land? True works of salvation are not operating on a scale that can change our government and the leadership of this nation. We are going to see more of the darkness increase as it tries to extinguish the light that is left from shining forth. As the evil mounts up, Christians are going to be afraid to speak the truth.

The temptations of living immorally, being vile, becoming hostile, breaking marriage vows, and living in self-pity are becoming increasingly difficult to overcome. The only way is to let the light that is in you to shine forth is with your good deeds of righteousness so the embers will burn brighter and brighter until the fullness of the day that we are coming into. Do not allow hardness of heart to keep your light from shining. Do not allow fatigue to keep you from doing good and living righteously.

If you do not believe that your behavior affects your salvation, then you will not be able to resist temptation. And if you yield to temptation, men will not glorify God. Men will measure the image of Jesus Christ based on your behavior.

Based on what Jesus tells us in Mat.5:16 do you believe you should bear the fruit of righteous living? (What is your answer?) Those who disagree are wasting both time and energy. Things are not as they appear to be. What the world says and does must not affect the way you live and move and have your being in Christ. We must adhere to the word of truth which is the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to the world. We are to have a relationship with Him that reflects a conduct becoming a godly person bearing witness of the image of Jesus Christ.

People will continue to go on in life as if righteous living does not matter, but they are not making Jesus, Lord. They say “He is Lord,” but they do not do what His Word commands and live according. They are saying, “I know I should, but…nobody else follows the Lord that closely.”

My Bible teaches me that we are to have a personal relationship with Jesus that causes us to submit to whatever He says and do it.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

Nov. 1: “When your inward peace is disturbed, you are believing a lie or listening to another voice. My peace I leave with you.”

Nov. 4: “No one who waits on You will be disgraced. In keeping with Your faithful love, remember me because of Your goodness, Lord.” (Psm 24)

Nov. 6: The Lord has told you what He requires of you: Only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with God. The rest is up to HIM!

Nov. 8: The man who fears the Lord will be blessed. You will surely earn what your hands have worked for!

Nov. 9: “For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Php 2:13)

Nov. 10: “Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth. The Lord will protect you from all harm. He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.” (Psm 121)

Nov. 15: “The righteous cry out and the Lord hears and delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted. He saves those crushed in spirit.” (Psm 34:17-18)

Nov. 16: “I am releasing the money!”

Nov. 18: In order to carry out God’s purpose, it depends not on what men do but on His calling them.

Nov. 29: “I will not allow the righteous to be shaken. Cast your burden on the Lord. You are a royal priesthood chosen to proclaim My praises. I have called you forth into My marvelous light.”

Grateful to be Called

Heb 10:23-25 (KJV) “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Christian people need to draw near to God, but not to neglect drawing near to others. One of the obvious characteristics about our humanity is that we have inward needs: needs to be wanted, needs to be needed, and needs to be cared about. God knows that we need to be givers in these areas as well as receivers, and that is why His exhortation to us is to be inviting and invoking; calling and comforting; entreating one to another and sharing our faith with each other; sharing our testimonies with each other; and, finally, praying for one another.

In the scripture text above, the word exhort means to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, or consolation); beseech, call for, comfort, exhort, entreat, pray (Strong’s Dictionary).

When Christian people start choosing not to gather together with the assembling of the saints, their zeal for the things of God and for the Christian faith usually begins to ebb away from The allure of worldliness soon draws them away into self-satiating relationships with other people who serve themselves and live according to the spirit of this age. We must understand that as Christians we have been marked by the Lord. The proper expression for this marking of the Lord upon our lives would be The Called-Out Ones. Christians must be neither bashful about their calling nor timid about their faith. Christians should be grateful to be bearers of the title and the calling from God.

There is an inward desire in all of us to belong and to be affiliated with something deemed successful. Titles and trademarks are quite important in the people who want to be identified with the worldly status groups. Fame usually comes with a name, a logo, or an emblem. You will see them on t-shirts, billboards, commercials, and numerous advertisements, such as Golden Arches, Slash-marked tennis shoes, and animal mascots. And even when they are associated with biblically sub-standard or unethical lifestyles, they are still accepted because they are so substantially established in society’s limelight. Christians should not allow themselves to be subjects of the worldly society. But even when they do reject worldliness, they still appear many times to be ashamed or even embarrassed of their profession of faith. It seems many Christians would rather just keep a low profile concerning their faith in God and remain virtually silent when it comes to godly issues that rock the worldly boats. Timid Christianity is a faith stopper, as well as ball dropper. It causes the Christian’s heart to be divided and does not allow the trying of one’s faith to progress, thereby keeping the Christian weak and infantile. If this condition is allowed to persist, it often leads to separation from the pack (congregation). Separation is one of the oldest and most effective tricks our enemy uses. As far back as the account of Adam & Eve, we see how the devil waits for an opportunity to attack while no one else is around to help us and then attacks with something that we still desire outside of the will of God. Don’t try to walk this walk alone, but also know the hearts of your helpers.

Ecc 4:9-10 (KJV) “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

Even though there may be a crowd of people present, there still may not be many to help. Even in the largest church a person can still be isolated. Only those who set their hearts upon the Lord and desire to do His will above all else will be able to help each other grow in the Lord and be a heritage for the upcoming generations.

Jer 32:38-39 (KJV) “And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: (39) And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:…”

-Kurt Thurston

QUOTES:

“We’re so far removed from God’s way of doing things– we think a man is a good man if he can draw a crowd these days. Do you know what Finney did? Finney preached sometimes, and the whole congregation got up and walked out on him. That’s a good meeting! He sent them out horrified! I only preach for two reasons these days: either to send people out that door blazing mad at me or blazing with the peace of the Holy Ghost! That’s all!”

- Leonard Ravenhill.

“If you’re going to be a true Christian, I’ll tell you one thing amongst

others: it’ll be a lonely life.”

- Leonard Ravenhill.

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”

- Corrie Ten Boom

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”

- Corrie Ten Boom

"The greatest miracle Almighty God can do is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world, make that unholy man holy, put him back in an unholy world and keep him holy! It takes all the power of the Atonement to do that, plus the indwelling of the Spirit of God and all the promises of God."

- Leonard Ravenhill

"Great sermons lead the people to praise the preacher. Good preaching leads the people to praise the Saviour."

- Charles Finney

"They have sold the truth for popularity!"

- Derek Prince

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

Winter Break! Classes Resume in January.

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-10-04T09:07:00.000-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 10 October 2011

Do you ever feel as if your mind is going in all directions by itself? “Where did that come from?” You think maybe you are losing your mind when it happens too much. But we are being bombarded with so much hype and false news today it makes our heads spin.

I believe this is part of the enemy’s plan to keep us off balance so we won’t hear and follow the direction of the Lord. It is not easy to continually be in tune to what God wants for us daily, but we must do what we can to continue in obedience and follow the direction from our Lord in order not to be trapped by our foe.

One thing that traps us is our ease of finding something to occupy our thoughts. This is usually something that makes us feel good and comfortable. Well, let me suggest that we keep God’s Word before us to comfort our souls and fill our thoughts. You may not be able to remember all the details of everything you are involved with from time to time, but the Word of the Lord is living and active in our spirits giving us just the direction we need when it is needed.

Remember what Paul told the Corinthians: “Casting down imaginations and everything that exalts itself against the image of Christ” – against all that causes you to be strong in the Lord and victorious over the enemy and the flesh. We are not fighting flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. If you don’t fight back, you lose! Don’t give your place to the enemy. It is time for you to win and gain back all the Lord has for you. There are blessings to keep you in a state of victory if you will follow through with God’s plan for your life. So guard your mind and keep it on the Lord.

In Christ,

Pr. Steve

Healing the Hurt

Pro 22:15 (KJV) “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”

We are born fools. What drives foolishness out? Correction! How many of you love correction. What does it mean when we don’t get corrected? You are still a fool. God has to show us over and over again how foolish we are. We are told in Revelation 3 that because God loves us He corrects us. What is the opposite of fool? A wise man! What does a wise man do?

Mat 7:24-27 (KJV) “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

What does the wise man do? What he hears he puts into practice. What did the foolish man do? He heard but ignored what he heard, or he performed his responsibility, but not for the right reason. The foolish person is the one who doesn’t pay attention and follow through with what God says and directs.

Characteristics of a FOOL:

1. His will - is hard and stubborn; he will not accept correction but will search to prove others wrong. Have you ever said to a child, “Did you hear me?” And the child replies, “No!” In truth, you know the child heard, but claiming not to have heard seems to absolve him of any responsible action. What does a wise man do? He puts into practice what he hears. Our will doesn’t want to do this. So we have to be zealous to repent in order to continually obey Him. This is a mindset that says, “Show me today, O Lord, where I am self-willed so I can repent and be changed.” The wise man hears the word and puts it into practice. We need to be able to hear the Spirit say to us, “Fool!” for then we can be zealous to repent.

2. He trusts his own mind and thoughts – Remember how teenagers seem to know more than adults. We are no different when it comes from Godly training. We know more than the leaders. And you may, but you don’t know more than God. And He uses whom he wants to test your mind, will and emotions. So if a fool trusts his own mind, what does a wise man do? He trusts God! Even if those in authority over you make a mistake, God is big enough to train you through it and He is able to correct them.

3. Fools don’t ask God into a situation. What does a wise man do? He acknowledges the Lord in everything by asking. A fool doesn’t ask God’s perspective on things in his life. He doesn’t see what God sees. What does a wise man do? He asks God, “How do you see me in this?” and “What should I do?”

4. A fool does something wrong and then blames God. (Blame is the number one reason why we don’t change.) The fool has an answer to why others make him look bad. A wise man takes responsibility for the outcome of what happens. He says, “I did it.”

FOOL:

· Stubborn

· Trusts in his own thinking

· Doesn’t ask God

· Blames God for wrongs

WISE:

· Zealous to repent

· Trusts God

· Asks God

· Takes responsibility

How is foolishness driven from your heart? By correction!

Today we have another problem during this time of transition of the walk of the believer. Too many have become lame, which means they are not walking upright. What does scripture tell us about our walk? It is speaking about our conduct – how you conduct your daily responses to life.

2Sa 4:4 (KJV) “And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”

The news had come that Saul and Jonathan were dead, so the nurse quickly ran for her life and to save the child Mephibosheth. She fell and the child become lame in both feet.

How many times in our life have we had an authority drop us, and it affected our walk? Parents, leaders, those in authority have mishandled all of us in some demeaning manner that injured us spiritually. This can happen through broken promises or miscommunication or misunderstanding from situations in which you didn’t know what to do, but you were expected to know. Does being dropped make you want to trust that person again?

Now if you don’t deal with that issue, you will come to the place of a fool and begin to blame God for difficulties in your life. [I have been dropped many times over the years with misunderstandings, but I trusted the Lord enough that He would show me my part and allow me to change so I could trust others.]

Authority in a person’s life is the most difficult to deal with, yet the Bible clearly declares we must submit to godly authority in order to become a wise person and change. Unfortunately, “godly authority” is not always “godly.” How are you going to deal with it? Be zealous to repent so that healing can come.

1. Repent for yourself first.

2. Be able to go to those in authority and talk to them because of being dropped.

Why don’t we do this already? Most of the time it is because we really hurt! If we are going to get through difficult times, we must deal with hurts that have left us wounded or lame. Fear will keep you from doing this. Any unknown is fearful. But if you are wounded, then you must find healing. You must be able to walk upright in these days so the enemy cannot stop you.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

Oct. 4: “We are encouraged through your faith, if you stand firm in the Lord.” (1 The. 3:7-8)

Oct. 5: Let the glory fill the temple!

Oct. 8: “You must fight back when the attacks come, when they come to your mind, when they interfere with your prayers, or when you are studying. I say, “Fight Back!” Until my people do this, they will continue to be overwhelmed with thoughts of defeat and wickedness. My Blood is sufficient to win the battle. Keep yourself in My salvation and you will be victorious over the schemes of the enemy.”

Oct. 9: “Many are called but few are chosen.” (Mat 22:14) You must be prepared!

Oct. 11: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.” (2 Chr 16:9)

Oct. 16: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”

Oct. 23: I know you are wanting answers to what lies ahead, but this is the time to trust Me. Rely upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance to direct every step that you take, and know that My will is being accomplished. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Pro 3:5-6)

Oct. 25: The darkness is closing in on a daily basis. But I will keep myself in the Lord and not turn aside from following and obeying the Spirit of God. My strength comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. His fullness is with me. His light will shine forth, and we will walk in victory by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Oct. 25: Lord, do not abandon me. My God, do not be far from me. Hurry to help me, Lord my Savior. I put my hope in You, Lord. You will answer, Lord my God.

Oct. 28: “Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry for help. The righteous cry out and the Lord hears and delivers them from all their trouble.” (Psm 34)

Oct. 29: The blood of Jesus has cleansed our conscience from dead works to serve the loving God! You will receive the promise.

Oct. 30: “If we endure we will also reign with Him.” (2 Tim 2:12)

Hear Ye Him

Recently while preaching, I had mentioned the phrase “Stop, Look, and Listen,” and now I am feeling persuaded to focus on listening. It is possible to hear someone talking but not really listen to what the person is saying. When we are listening to someone, we should not be thinking about other things at the same time. We should give our full attention to what the speaker is trying to say. Just as importantly, we should not try to answer until we are sure that we have the correct understanding of what is being said.

2Co 10:3-5 (KJV) “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…”

We must be able to listen to God if we expect to be able to follow Him. Confusion is a large part of the weaponry the devil uses against the saints of God. Consequently, if our minds are not disciplined to focus properly, we will find ourselves needlessly losing mind battles; and the end results will have negative effects on our lives. An undisciplined mind can be rendered helpless by something as simple as “Stage Fright” and could easily fall subject to other powers of persuasion. This information is even more important for accomplishing the right, than it is for keeping out the wrong. King David, beginning as a shepherd boy when he guarded the sheep from those that sought to destroy them, had built up his faith by winning battles at the direction of the Lord. The results of that faith were evident when it came time for even greater challenges.

1Sa 17:34-37 (KJV) “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: (35) And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. (36) Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. (37) David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, “Go, and the LORD be with thee.”

Wait upon the Lord! Granted, listening to the Lord for direction and instructions may take some time. While He has no problem saying anything to us, we have problems hearing Him because our hearts and minds are filled with everything else in life. When we are not disciplined at listening to the Lord, we will often fall to sleep before we get clarity from Him. He knows how difficult it is for us, and that is why He instructed us to go into a designated place to pray.

Mat 6:6 (KJV) “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

Our busy lifestyles and attention deficit are no excuse for slacking in the area of communicating with our Savior and Maker. Without listening to God, we are bound to fall into the traps of our enemies as well as grow distant from the relationship God desires with us.

Psa 18:32-36 (KJV) “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. (33) He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. (34) He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. (35) Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. (36) Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”

-Kurt Thurston

Quotes:

"The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions."

- A.W. Tozer

"An unholy church! it is useless to the world, and of no esteem among men. It is an abomination, hell's laughter, heaven's abhorrence. The worst evils which have ever come upon the world have been brought upon her by an unholy church."

- C.H. Spurgeon

"To be right with God, has often meant to be in trouble with men."

-A.W. Tozer

"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, 'above all that we ask or think.' Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!"

- Andrew Murray

“If your faith does not make you pray, have nothing to do with it: get rid of it, and God help thee to begin again.”

- Charles Spurgeon

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

– Martin Luther

“Too many preachers are more concerned about filling the church building than they are about filling the pulpit.”

-Steven J. Lawson

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

History of Christianity in America II by Dr. Stephen Mansfield

This course introduces and explains the origin and growth of Christianity in America beginning with the American Revolution and ending with the 1980s. Emphasis is placed upon significant events and times as viewed from a

biblical and Christian perspective.

November 3-5, 2011

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-09-01T17:25:00.001-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 9 September 2011

It is amazing to me what people use as excuses for the Lord or for disobedience to His Word. I know it is tough in life. I have experienced some pretty difficult times, and in it all I have cried out to the Lord for HELP because it was just so difficult. But through it all I found most of my agony was because of something I was experiencing. Yes, the Lord brought me through and delivered me, but still it was about my agony and my suffering.

We are just too spoiled to understand what Peter meant when he wrote, “Greatly rejoice though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through many temptations; that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:6-8).

Let me give you a true example: “I know of a Christian who was in solitary confinement for years and experienced much hunger and pain. Sometimes he was aware of Jesus asking him, ‘Is it too difficult for you? Shall I ease your lot?’ Again and again he replied, “Please, Jesus, see to others. I can bear it. I’m all right” [The Midnight Bride, by Richard Wurmbrand].

Oh, God will we ever have that mentality?

That should be the mentality of the Bride of Christ. She can carry her cross without making multiple demands upon her beloved.

There is so much more that can be done for this world if we would get and keep this mentality. I don’t think any of us has suffered that much. So let Jesus help someone who really needs it!

In Christ,

Pr. Steve

Giving of Yourself

Mat 6:24 (KJV) “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Jesus preached against the love of money more than any other message. We have changed it to get the most money we can. This is the most challenging issue of the Christian Church today – our love of mammon and the fierce independent spirit that comes with it. Jesus said, “It is impossible to serve both God and money.” [Mammon = money, wealth, treasures.]

One of the things the Lord is dealing with in this time is total and complete obedience to Him. This is the only way to love Him and for Him to reveal His true love to us.

There are two powers at work in the world: the power of love that leads people to associate with others and the power of death that separates people and leads to the destruction of the fellowship of love. This power of death poisons humanity, making it corrupt. It covets and isolates. It attacks all that holds life together.

We recognize that not all who call themselves “Christian” are connected. In fact, in the phrase “I am a Christian,” the word “Christian” has come to be a form of “religious” terminology that has nothing to do with the coming kingdom of God to this earth. God is not looking for a world organization that names itself after Christ Jesus. God is not looking nor does He need the institutional church to have all the money. Such a church has denied the very name and meaning of Christ Jesus.

Nobody can serve two masters. Nobody can serve God and mammon. The god of this world blinds us from the true gospel message. It is a god of greed and possessiveness and it stands opposed to the kingdom of unity and love.

When mammon rules people’s hearts, it means they depend on their income and finances instead of on God. This is what makes mammon evil. If we are dominated by it, then there is a spirit of rebellion operating in our lives.

The deepest human relationships are not based on mammon, but on the Spirit of Christ. None of us can live in isolation because we all depend on one another for our survival. The love of God can only manifest when it flows freely from spirit to spirit and from heart to heart, leading us into fellowship one with another.

The devil seeks to rob us of heart and spirit and God. Money reduces human relationships to lusts. It destroys the highest human goals. It becomes a power that in the end destroys all true fellowship.

The love of money and the love of Christ are mutually exclusive. Where mammon rules, the personal will is stronger than the will of God to share and support. The struggle to survive becomes stronger than the spirit to help others. Self-denial is considered no longer necessary to live a “godly” life.

Mammon never motivates people to work for the greater good. It enslaves them to circumstances. It is a lying spirit of weakness and death both spiritually and naturally.

Jesus, the Prince of Life, declared war on this spirit and so must we declare war on it. When our hearts are opened to see God, we will no longer be controlled by what mammon demands. When our hearts are set on the Kingdom of Righteousness, we no longer live to become wealthy. Instead, we begin to experience the true freedom and peace from above that unites us one to another.

Mar 10:17-22 (KJV) “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (18) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (19) Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. (20) And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. (21) Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (22) And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”

Don’t let your money rule your decision-making or your way of life.

When Jesus entered the temple with a whip, He was not beating the people. He was showing contempt for money. His Father’s house belonged to God, not to the god of this world.

Jesus’ attack on the order of mammon brought Him to his death. But who won? After Jesus’ resurrection, the people did not sit around waiting to become rich. What did they wait for? Another Spirit! A spirit of freedom, love, and the order of God’s Kingdom. This waiting for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is what birthed the church--a fellowship of work and goods in which everything belonged to God and the people could hear and understand what to do with what they had been given in life. They had the freedom to give to the full extent of what their hearts told them.

The church has succumbed to the process that destroys life. Generation after generation has to be raised up who will offer what they have and who they are without reservation. Each new godly generation must declare war on mammon and learn how to give generously. In doing so, they become the spiritually rich in this world.

The spirit of mammon can be overcome only through love one for another. When we love others the way God loves us, we will be free from the god of this world. That freedom and love will release the power of God to bring forth the Kingdom in its fullest measure.

1Co 13:3 (KJV) “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

When we are free from mammon, we will give our lives to profit the Kingdom of God. We will not compromise with our time and our talents to take what we want and give the left-overs to God. Remember, “He who seeks to save his life will lose it” (Luk.17:33).

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

Sept. 3: “You have been confronted with many obstacles to try and stop you. But each time you have determined to find a way to keep going. This is what I want with my people in this day. They must keep going no matter what. The enemy will throw everything at them; and if they give in, they will be defeated. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Your prayers are being answered.” [Psalm 74 speaks of the constant harassment of the enemy.]

Sept. 4: “You are more than a conqueror.”

Sept. 6: “You are obedient to the call. Your steps are ordered of Me.”

Sept. 8: “Praise the Lord all nations. Glorify Him all peoples. For great is His faithful love to us. The Lord’s faithfulness endures forever, Hallelujah.” (Psm 117)

Sept. 9: “For the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ will your testimony be established.”

Sept. 11: “Care for the flock of God, not only of compulsion, but willingly and eagerly. Be an example to the flock and when the chief shepherd shall appear, you will receive a crown of glory.”

Sept. 15: “You have My face, My hands, and My heart”.

Sept. 17: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” (Isa 61:3)

Sept. 20: “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one who serves as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of everyday life. I endure all things for the elect, so that you may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. If we endure we will reign with Him. Don’t fight about words, it is not profitable. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God. Empty words spread like gangrene. Purify yourself so you can be set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Tim 2)

Sept. 22: May the Lord bless you from Zion.

Sept. 24: “…. Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, … and they shall come again from the land of the enemy” (Jer 31:16).

Sept. 30: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Faith or Fear

Some people who deliberately practice being optimistic believe that thinking positive thoughts will cause them to have a good attitude. That optimism is a great mental assent, but it will not be sufficient if the core of the person is lacking. The core is lacking whenever people count on their own strength and abilities instead of abiding in God and His Word.

Pro 3:5-8 (KJV) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

Too many times people who read the Word of God still tend to fall back upon their own natural reasoning when attempting to apply His Word to their lives. Our capacity to comprehend and/or apprehend the things that God is trying to show us is greatly hindered unless we abandon our desires and demands and let Him reign. Each new day is full of surprises, and with each surprise direction from God can be found. But most of the time we miss the direction because we have not been in the practice of following God’s directions during the normal or non-surprising days.

Mat 14:27-32 (KJV) “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (32) And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”

When we follow the Lord daily, our faith will be increased by the things we encounter. We may feel as if we have failed some tests, but we will soon understand why we had to endure the prior circumstances as the test of our faith in Christ is shown in new-found strength. FDR said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” But the truth is, “We have nothing but fear if our faith in God has not been tried.”

Rom 14:22-23 (KJV) “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. (23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

Brethren, it is evident that this nation in which we live has made up its mind to make its own decisions and to lean upon its own understandings rather than to follow the directions of the Lord. But we as individuals can still follow the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, believing by faith that our obedience will make a difference in our lives and for this nation.

1Co 2:1-5 (KJV) “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. (4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

-Kurt Thurston

Quotes:

“Christians don't tell lies – they just go to church and sing them.”

- A. W. Tozer

"To the degree that I'm willing to submit to God, He is able to change and conform me to the image of Christ."

- Dr. Jerry Benjamin

"The greatest glory Jesus brought to God was not when he walked on the water or prayed for long hours, but when he cried in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and still continued to follow God's will, even though it meant isolation, darkness and the silence of God. Thus, we know that when everything around us fails, when we are destroyed and abandoned, our tears, blood and dead corpses are the greatest worship songs we have ever sung."

- Ziya Meral

"God did not save us to make us happy, He saved us to make us holy."

- Dr. Jerry Benjamin

"One of these days some simple soul will pick up the book of God, read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed."

-Leonard Ravenhill

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

Character Determines Destiny by Dr. Jennie Newbrough

Character Determines Destiny is a study of the definition and dynamics of

personal character including character strengths and weaknesses and an

understanding of how character choices shape the life and future of an individual.

Personal examination as well as biblical case studies will be applied.

October 6-8, 2011

AUGUST NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-08-01T13:37:00.000-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 8 August 2011

Today the pull of the world is bringing down many believers. We are instructed in Corinthians 6:17 to “come out from them, separate, or sever yourselves from the unclean.” In other words, cut yourself off from participating with them. We have to live in this world, but we don’t have to be a part of the world. This may sound harsh and unkind, but God knows what it takes to have Him in our lives.

Sometimes we wonder where God went because we can’t feel Him the way we used to. I believe it is the pull of the world getting us to go their way and compromise. Everything today is about compromise. And little by little, the Lord just backs off from guiding and leading us step by step.

I can’t live that way. I have to have the Lord’s guidance and direction because I don’t have a clue what to do most of the time. It makes for a pretty lonely existence at times, but then it gives us the favor of God and His Presence, which is worth more than anything this world has to offer.

So stay with those of like precious faith and relate to those who are pure of heart and are living according to the standard of Christ.

Jud 1:21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

In Christ,

Pr. Steve

Conflict of the Ages

Psa 2:10-12 (KJV) “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. (11) Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (12) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

The conflict of the ages has commenced: -- Good against evil, Christ against antichrist, The Holy Spirit against the False Prophet, God against Satan.

Here is what we must understand: Christians, both in the spirit realm and on the earth, are responsible before God to assist in the final defeat of Satan. As long as we are following the Lamb and obeying the Spirit of God, Satan cannot penetrate the authority of the blood of Christ. But we must be living a true testimony of the will, the way and the eternal purpose of God in Christ.

We must deny ourselves, love not our own life to the point of death, offer our body a living sacrifice, take up our cross and follow Jesus step by step throughout all that we endeavor to do.

Remember, the great commission is not to get people saved; it is not to make mere converts. It is to make disciples, to challenge people to rise up and live a life worthy of the calling by turning away from worldliness to seek the Lord Jesus Christ at all times. THE CHARGE IS TO MAKE DISCIPLES, DISCIPLES, DISCIPLES!

The Lord tells us to pray. We wait and maintain until He tells us to go. Until we do this, we cannot say we have “salt” in ourselves so that we can hear God correctly. Without the salt, our hearts are hardened. But if we are willing to wait and choose to obey God rather than our carnal inclinations, God will give us tremendous victories.

This conflict of the ages is beginning with much tension and many conflicts. It is not fought in one instant battle – but over a period of time. Satan does fight back. He never surrenders instantly.

The actual battle is fought in the spirit realm. It is the invisible but true battle of substance and power. Satan continues to stand before the Christian Church, seeking to devour the child, Christ, as He is being formed in the saints.

Rev 12:4 (KJV) “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”

Devour = to consume by eating a little at a time. He does not kill us, but wants to eat us up. Satan is swallowing up that which is seeking to come forth in the church. Satan is using every device possible to keep believers distracted from the real issue --- the bringing forth of Christ.

The enemy is keeping us too busy to attend to the forming of Christ in us. Many are not attending to their Master’s call. They will not take the time to listen to His call. He is knocking, but we are not opening the door to Him. He wants to dine with us. He is nourished by our adoration; we are nourished by His body and blood.

If the Son, which is the Kingdom of God, is to be formed in us, then we are going to have to keep our involvement in the world to a minimum and concentrate on that which the Holy Spirit desires to create in us.

One of the most painful times we have come to endure is the travail of the church. This travail brings forth the Kingdom of God that puts an end to all sin in our life.

Mat 24:7-8 (KJV) “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (8) All these [are] the beginning of birth pains.”

Mic 5:3 (KJV) “Therefore will he give them up (Israel), until the time [that] she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.”

This battle of the ages is going to produce much bloodshed. This generation has turned its back on God; and as a result, the chastening hand of God is going to be severe so that we are not totally defeated.

The ones who are continually going to prayer hear the sounds of war and the sounds of hell beating the drums of attack.

Although the spirit realm is the real world, our present existence is in the valley of the shadow of death, temporarily while we are tested to see where we will fit in this battle. When we experience desperate times of grief and pain, remember that we are only in a shadow land at the present time. The real world is invisible to us. THAT IS WHERE THE TRUE BATTLE IS TAKING PLACE.

We must be true to the Lord no matter what. We must be determined to be disciplined no matter what. There is no purgatory to make amends for our actions. We must accept the fire of God, allowing it to burn away all that is worldly, lustful and self-seeking. If we call upon the Lord in the day of battle, we shall be saved.

I believe many are experiencing labor pains today. Many question whether they want to go through this process of cleansing and transformation, but listen to the words of the Lord:

Isa 66:9 (KJV) “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut [the womb]? saith thy God.”

We may be in some confusion and dismay now, but we can rejoice. God has declared that He will not close up the womb. He will bring to deliverance. He will bring forth Christ in your life if you will serve the Lord diligently. Christ will finish what He has begun in you, so you can be confident and rejoice.

(Galatians 4:19) Listen to me my little children, stop wavering between the religious and the spiritual. The only answer for you is to gain Christ – let Him be formed in you. LET CHRIST BE FORMED IN YOU.

God’s answer to your concerns or problems or doubts is to have Christ formed in you; for once this transformation is complete, the very Throne of God Almighty will be set up in you, and you will prevail against all the work of Satan and darkness.

God is going to roar out of Zion, out of the Church. The enemy is going to be utterly confounded and dismayed: Joe 3:14-16 (KJV) “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision. (15) The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. (16) The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.”

Ours is a day of decision. The time has passed for us to remain lukewarm. Either we will be active for Christ or we will automatically default to Satan. There is no middle ground.

All disobedience shall be removed from the Presence of God. Sin shall be driven from His saints. Jesus Christ shall be installed as King in the hearts of the overcomers and become Lord of ALL. Then nature shall break forth into singing. The travail will be over. The Kingdom of God will come forth.

So what are we here for? God wants you and me to be part of the remnant who will be able to bring deliverance to those who call upon Christ for help. If we are to help one another, we must first get our own house in order before the Lord. THAT IS YOUR PURPOSE FOR TODAY!

Are you willing to lay down your own life that the will of Christ may be performed? If you continue to be caught up in the folly of the American culture and do not spend time in prayer, reading the Bible, assembling with the Saints, denying yourself, and carrying your cross after the Lord, there is no Divine protection over you or your household.

All that there is is NOW. The conflict of the ages is upon us. How are you going to respond?

Our Prayer: Eph 1:17-23 (KJV) “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

Aug.3: “I can do nothing without Him. But all things are possible to them that believe.”

Aug. 6: “I am with you.”

Aug.7: “Be thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort; thou hast given commandment to save me, for thou art my rock and my fortress. (Psm. 71:3)”

Aug. 9: “ I will honor those who honor Me!”

Aug. 10: “Beware of the teaching of the Pharisees. (Mat.16:6) There are many false teachers today affecting the body of Christ.” Aug.13: “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death” ( Prov.14:12).

Aug. 14: “ Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not. And as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, especially those of the household of faith.”

Aug. 21: “The one who seeks Him will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of His salvation. So lift up your heads and the King of Glory will enter in.”

Aug.24: “This is a time of victory. The Lord is going before you and the God of Israel is your rear guard. My servant will act wisely and be lifted up. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who proclaim good news, who say, “My God reigns.”

Aug. 26: “Return, you prisoners who have hope. Today I declare that I will restore double to you” (Zech.9:12).

Trust in the Lord

In all of our lives there are times when we say that we trust in the Lord, but there also come times in our of our lives when we must show that we trust in the Lord. Those times require actions that prove how much we truly believe.

Pro 3:1-12 (KJV) “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: (2) For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. (3) Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: (4) So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (9) Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (10) So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (11) My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: (12) For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

So many people can remember who God is to them, but at the same time forget who they are supposed to be to God. It is amazing how often people cover their compromises with the statement, “God understands.” Yes, God does understand, but people don’t understand or they would not compromise.

Isa 40:29-31 (KJV) “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) 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.”

The Lord tells us to trust in Him, and to wait upon Him because He knows what is best for every situation in our lives. He sees every time we are ready to make hasty decisions that can position us in unrecoverable downward spirals. Therefore, we must caution ourselves and wait upon the Lord so that we will have the strength to overcome those things, such as worrying, complaining, and striving, that fuel the fires of compromise.

Heb 12:11-15 (KJV) “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (12) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled…”

God’s chastening is for our good, so we need not get angry when the Lord tries to deliver by means of His chastening. In fact, we should be grateful in knowing that God cares so much for us as to attend to such matters on our behalf.

Jon 2:1-2 (KJV) “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, (2) And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.”

It took a lot of chastening before Jonah really trusted in the Lord, but God was faithful to deliver and save him. God is the same God today for us as He was to Jonah back then. We can trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that no matter how bad things seem to be in life, we are not alone; we can trust in the Lord; and we can praise Him in all things.

Hab 3:17-19 (KJV) “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: (18) Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (19) The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places…”

-Kurt Thurston

QUOTES

"I want the presence of God Himself,

or I don't want anything at all to do with religion…

I want all that God has or I don't want any."

- A.W. Tozer

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

The Confidence Factor by Dr. Keith E. Johnson

This course explores, explains and demonstrates the many factors that contribute to an individual’s confidence level. It discusses the factors that help build or destroy confidence in a way that makes it possible for the student to put specific practices in place to help maximize his life’s potential.

September 8-10, 2011

JULY NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-07-01T09:09:00.000-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 7 July 2011

Hardly a day goes by any more in which the reports coming out of the news don’t get to me. I only listen for a short while because it is too bad. But something seems to affect me clear down in my belly. I daily ask the Lord to fill me with His Spirit so I am not moved by anything except Him. So maybe the Spirit is grieved as well.

We truly do need to feel what the Spirit feels. If we want to be led by the Spirit, then we need to know what He is all about. No, I don’t know many Christians who are happy with things today. But again, maybe that is alright if it makes us happy in Jesus. It is difficult to separate yourself from the worldly things that happen. So remember what Jesus said: 1Jn 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

I think we need to confess that perhaps we do have some love for the world in us. The world will continue to affect us until we let go and allow God complete control over the things that happen. We are to be compassionate towards the people, even as Jesus was compassionate over what He saw happening. And yes ,He even cried over the horrible things that He saw coming. But His love for the Father caused Him to rise above it all and do His will without hesitation. So must we.

In Christ,

Pr. Steve

CONFIDENCE

Heb 11:6 (KJV) “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Faith is supposed to be in the Lord, not in principles. We are directed to put our faith in the Lord and to wait on Him. Faith in the Lord brings glory to the Lord Jesus. Many today think if they can figure out faith, then they can work it to their advantage. But that will only bring despair and then condemnation that makes you feel as if you don’t have enough faith to get what you are asking for. Faith is not magic or a metaphysical principle. Faith is our grasp of God’s character and the faithfulness of His promises.

Psa 84:11 (KJV) “For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

God will withhold no good thing from the individual who walks uprightly. We know God answers prayer. Sometimes it takes a long period of time, so we have to wait on the Lord. But in God’s Presence there is fullness of joy. So He eventually heals all our diseases and fills our mouth with good things. The Lord will deliver us from all our afflictions.

Psa 103:3 (KJV) “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”

The key to all of this, even our rewards, is FAITH. Yes, there are times of “hope deferred and your heart is sick”--But FAITH.

How is it that God truly operates? He wants us to press forward in faith that builds our CONFIDENCE.

Heb 10:35 (KJV) “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. ³⁶You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

Mat 21:22 (KJV) “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Joh 14:13-14 (KJV) “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].”

DOES THIS BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE? It will--if you have faith!

The Word of God is always true. Heaven and earth shall pass away but the Word of the Lord Jesus never shall pass away.

The answer to faith is that we are not to cast away our confidence, for it will

be richly rewarded.

The moment we ask for something in the name of the Lord Jesus -- in that very moment -- God begins to answer. The scriptures cannot be changed; they are eternally true. If we ask anything in the name of Jesus, He will do it. But He didn’t say when, or how, or under what circumstances, or how our prayers would be refined so the answer would be what we truly were requesting, bringing us joy, love and peace.

IF YOU DO NOT THROW YOUR CONFIDENCE AWAY, YOU SHALL RECEIVE YOUR ANSWER.

Are you waiting long enough for God? God knows when the right time is to answer your prayers – but do you?

God can speak to you to change the way you are praying. He can make you know what you are asking for is not right and can bring you harm. If this happens, are you willing to trust Him enough to do what He says? If you insist on God doing exactly what you have asked for, it may bring you years of agony. God opens His hand to satisfy the desire of every living thing. But if you insist after God warns you, you may suffer the consequences of what you demand.

Many have prayed for someone who is ready to die – “Lord, I beg you to let them live.” Remember Hezekiah and Manasseh! He was the most wicked ruler of Israel. ALWAYS pray, “Your will be done.” This is not a passive or fatalistic prayer; it is the most power prayer possible. Always seek the will of God and pray with fervor and diligence in the name of the Lord Jesus. Never take anything for granted. Persist in prayer until you know God has heard you and you have the mind of Christ. Do not be put off easily. How many Christians remain ill because they have reasoned “It must be a thorn in the flesh.” Or they think they are not worthy, or that God must be punishing them, or God is too busy, or “healing is not for me,” or their problem is rationally accepted because a doctor told them it was inherited. “When flu season comes around, it is just normal.” GET IN THERE AND FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU WANT. You have been talked into defeat when you could have victory. DON’T LET ANYONE TAKE YOUR CROWN.

God has commanded you not to throw away your confidence in His Word. You can’t answer your own prayer, but you can keep your confidence strong. If you feel confidence weakening, ask the Lord to strengthen your confidence. He wants to do that.

You will get what you desire if you do not quit.

Psa 37:4 (KJV) “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

We gain victory over the enemy by three means:

1. By the blood of the Lamb

2. By the Word of our testimony

3. By loving not our life to the death

We must walk in the light of God’s will. If we do, the blood of God’s Lamb, Christ, will continue to cleanse us from all sin.

Line up your statements of faith with the Word of God. His Word is corporate and personal. We are to hold fast our confidence to what He has said and what He does say personally to us. If we do this, we shall receive God’s answer. This is how we overcome the accuser of the brethren by the word of our testimony – i.e. God’s Word.

If we are going to remain victorious we must not love our life more than our confidence in God’s Word. If there is any part of our personality that we are clutching to, whether relational or material or physical, the enemy will keep at it until he can we collapse our faith.

Yield to God all you are and all you possess. Give joyously to the Lord all He requests. Place every person, every possession and every hope on the altar of God.

If we are to exercise faith, we must trust in the blood of the Lamb.

If we are to exercise faith, we must testify that God speaks only truth and His Word is unchangeable.

If we are to exercise faith, we must relinquish everything to God, counting ourselves as crucified to the world and the world to us.

Until we are taking these actions we are not living in Divine Faith!

Hold fast your confidence.

Live by the blood of the Lamb.

Hold fast to the Word of your testimony.

Love not your life to the point of death.

Patient endurance is one of the major virtues of the Kingdom of God. (Heb. 10:36) Luk 8:15 (KJV) “The seed that fell on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Luk 21:19 (KJV) “In your patience possess ye your souls.”

Rom 8:25 (KJV) “But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].”

Patience is an important aspect of faith. We must ask and then wait patiently for the answer without throwing away our confidence. We will endure many tribulations if we are to attain our goal. We must persevere if we are to receive the promise.

It is not easy to be patient. It is not easy to wait until the fervent desire of our soul has been granted. We are tempted to scheme and manipulate by forcing our ways and circumstances on others. It is difficult and a test of faith to continue to serve when all we feel is worthless, worn down, or used up. But all that is happening is to teach us obedience to the Word of Truth. We learn obedience through the things we suffer.

Patience is required if we are to have the image of Christ formed in us. If we don’t gain and maintain integrity it is impossible for the Kingdom of God to come forth in us. The seed of the Kingdom must fall into an “honest and good heart.”

If our adamic nature keeps us from becoming a living sacrifice before God, it is impossible for the Word of God to come into maturity in our lives.

If our human personality does not persevere patiently in testings and tribulations, we will not be able to possess our soul. The desires of the flesh will take control and bring us down to destruction. We LOSE our reward.

Two thousand years ago the Lord said He would come quickly. So our answers may be instant or may take 40 years (symbolic of time of testing) or longer. But God always answers. Maybe He is waiting for us to change. I think most of the time He is waiting on us. So let us patiently prepare even though we wait on Him. All things are possible with God. Let us have faith in God, wait patiently for Him, obey Him in every detail, faint not, fear not, and not allow weariness to beat us down, for in due season we shall reap.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

July 3: “The righteous will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord. His heart is assured he will not fear. In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” (Psm. 112:6-8)

July 6: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psm. 27: 1)

July 12: “Above all, be strong and courageous.”

July 16: “May the Lord be praised! Day after day He bears our burdens; God is our salvation” (Psm.68:19).

July 20: “Occupy until I come!”

July 22: “You lead me beside still waters. You are Jehovah Shalom – The God of Peace. Peace attends to my soul. Rivers of peace flow over me and I remain in the rest of God. Nothing can move me as long as I remain in Christ and He remains in me.”

July 26: “You have the authority and power and dominion. As you continue to partake of my body and blood you will grow in these areas and fulfill My plan for your life. Much strength will follow. The Spirit will rule and your spirit will obey.”

July 31: “All that you are experiencing is to reveal My glory. You will come through. I will not leave you alone or abandon you in your time of need. Do not depart from the way I am taking you. Stay the course and you will see results.”

Quotes

"I hope some of you will agree with me that it is of far greater importance that we have better Christians than that we have more of them! If we have any spiritual concerns, our most pressing obligation is to do all in our power to obtain a revival that will result in a reformed, revitalized, purified church... followers of Christ must become personally and vitally involved in the death and resurrection of Christ. And this requires repentance, prayer, watchfulness, self-denial, detachment from the world, humility, obedience and cross-carrying.."

-A.W. Tozer

“Look upon Him as faithful and true, and therefore bound and engaged to present you, the weakest of the family, with all the chosen race before the throne of God. You will have the enjoyments which ravish the souls of the perfect saints above, if you can believe with unstaggering faith that “the one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.””

-Charles Spurgeon

A Lesson In Heart

A lesson in "heart" is my little, 10 year old daughter, Sarah, who was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time. She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in "field day" - that's where they have lots of races and other competitive events. Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down - but before I could get a word out, she said "Daddy, I won two of the races!" I couldn't believe it! And then Sarah said, "I had an advantage." Ah. I knew it. I thought she must have been given a head start...some kind of physical advantage. But again, before I could say anything, she said, "Daddy, I didn't get a head start... My advantage was I had to try harder!"

-Author Unknown

Remember Your First Love

2Th 2:1-3 (KJV) “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition…;”

Ongoing statistics show that attendance at American Christian churchs had decreased to only 20% in the 1990’s, and has since been steadily dropping through the years, accompanied by sporadic declines that are especially concerning. Could this be the cause of the current conditions of severe spiritual slumber and moral decline across America? What could have happened to draw people away from worshipping Jesus Christ? What could have happened to make Christians forsake fellowshipping with the body of Christ in the house of God? Do we realize the state of crisis that American Christians are experiencing? There is a critical need for a spiritual awakening in both the Church and the nation.

Joh 17:14-19 (KJV) “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (18) As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

Each Christian must survey his or her spiritual condition. Each must take a personal assessment of the whys, and the whats, and the hows of the condition of personal love and devotion to God. There has to be a reason for that drastic of a decline in worship. Christians must keep themselves from evil. When Jesus said that Christians are not of the world, He was saying that they are not partaking of the lifestyles of sin and death that the people who don’t serve Him live.

Deu 11:16-19 (KJV) “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; (17) And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. (18) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. (19) And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

What kind of message are we sending to our children, our neighbors and friends when we don’t reverence Jesus Christ and live according to His word? Has the American dream clouded the vision of God in the lives of Christian people? Has the desire to live like kings muted the call to take up our crosses and follow Jesus? Or could it be that people have been told that the sinners’ prayer is all they need? Jesus never preached an “easy Christian life.” He never preached a Gospel that included room for habitual sin or people staying trapped in satan’s clutches.

A person with no church life probably does not have a prayer life either. A person with no prayer life probably is not staying in the Bible either. A person who does not stay in the Bible, who does not pray, and who does not attend church has probably fallen away.

Rev 2:4-5 (KJV) “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5) Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

-Kurt Thurston

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:

God’s Eternal Plan by Dr. Fuchsia Pickett

This course explores the eternal plan of God for mankind as revealed in the

Scriptures. This exploration includes a study of the relationship of time and eternity,

the nature of the Godhead, man’s creation and fall, the redemptive work of the Lamb and the

Servant ministry of the Holy Spirit.

August 11-13, 2011

JUNE NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-06-01T09:06:00.000-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 6 June 2011

As we see the fulfillment of God’s Word coming to pass, it seems to be more difficult to find good news in the world. You can have one report at a certain time of the day just to have it cancelled out an hour later. Nothing seems to stay in place.

Actually, the above statement is not true! One thing that is sure and steadfast is the good news of Jesus Christ and the Gospel message. Our God does not change. Mankind grows worse and more evil. But our God is always good and rules in righteousness. We may not be able to get away from evil reports, but we can certainly reach out with the good news of our Lord and Savior. People need to hear it. People were not made to carry sorrow continually. So we must bear the good news.

Rom 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

You don’t have to be a preacher of a church to declare and speak forth the good news. But you do need to be in right relationship with the Lord Jesus in order to have something good to say. So take the time to be filled with Jesus and then reach out and share the good news with others. It will encourage and bless them. And you might just receive a blessing as well.

In Christ,
Pr. Steve

End of Days: Part 2

Luk 21:36 (KJV) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

We are in a time when occult practices have been added to the medical fields in America with little concern for the effects: meditations; yoga, hypnotism and psychic phenomena are all increasing as signs of healing. Revelation 13 tells us there will be great signs among the false prophets that will turn many away from godliness. There is an increase in the one world government that is said to bring new freedoms to people. In other words, we are involved with antichrist schemes without even realizing it. And the deception comes because we do not continually pray for wisdom and insight from the Lord. We must heed the word of the hour that tells us to be extremely obedient to Christ.

The trumpet is blowing that deception is all about us because perilous times are beginning to break forth. We must experience this turmoil because it serves to purify the remnant. EVERYONE WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL FOR WHICH THEY HAVE PREPARED. During this time the hidden things are exposed. We will be able to distinguish those who are serving the Lord and those who are not.

But in order to know the truth, we must call upon the Lord continually, watching and waiting with the utmost carefulness. The place of safety in the Most High is a “secret place.” It is known only to the Lord’s true servants. WHERE DO YOU FIND YOURSELF WHEN TROUBLE STRIKES? Remember, the majority will be deceived by the cunning works of Satan. The fire has come to bring us to the light of all the secret things so that every man’s work may be revealed as to the true nature and motive operating.

If we watch and pray, God will deem us worthy to receive the truth and will keep us from yielding to the temptations that will abound in our day. The Word tells us God will prevent us from being deceived and overcome. Instead, we will be able to stand in triumph before Jesus, not having been harmed spiritually by the seductions and attacks of the enemy (John 17:15-17).

2Th 1:3-5 (KJV) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; (4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

One problem bringing deception is the way that faith and belief are being defined. THE SCRIPTURAL MEANING OF FAITH IS OBEDIENCE – i.e. works of righteousness according to the will of God. Faith without works (of obedience) is dead. Mental assent of faith produces nothing. In order to be counted worthy, we must do the works of watching and praying. ONLY THEN CAN WE ESCAPE DECEPTION. Many are deceived because they have lost the desire and effort to pray. Therefore, they will not be found worthy of escaping the seductions of these last days. The spiritual and material seductions of antichrist will overtake them.

Rev 3:10 (KJV) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Guard the Word of Christ’s patience; walk patiently after Him, not seeking our own desires, our own life, but only the will of God. Christ will guard us so that we are not deceived during the days of testing.

What I want to emphasize is this: Those who are guarding the word of the Lord are not necessarily those who talk a good talk, but those who follow the Lord in patient endurance. Such faithfulness is your spiritual protection!

The protection is not from great tribulation, but from the hour of temptation, testing or trial. What is this hour? It is an abundance of lawlessness and change in our country’s freedoms.

Remember the difference between tribulation and testing: tribulation is redemptive – it purifies. Testing, temptation and trials reveal what is truly in us.

Lawlessness and sin are what has filled the earth today. Christians are already overcome, not by tribulation but by sin. It is this lawlessness and sin that brings on the great tribulation.

These are days of reaping. The wheat and tares coming to maturity causes the Lord to gather His wheat into His protection but to separate the wicked tares to be burned. What is that?

There is a remnant sealed by the Holy Spirit that becomes the firstfruits that mark the beginning of the harvest of the earth. Through this remnant the harvest will begin; and there, great multitudes will be blood-washed (Rev.14:14-16).

Then the harvest will consist of a great multitude of faithful who refuse to worship the antichrist. Their names are written in the Lamb’s book of Life. They choose death over worshipping someone or something other than the true and living God. So God will bring them to His throne and bless them eternally.

Rev 14:17-20 (KJV) And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. (18) And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. (19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (20) And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Then comes the harvest of the wicked. There must be a defining difference between the righteous and the wicked. The Lord will make the way straight with a line of demarcation between the two. We need to know who are the righteous. And the Lord is beginning to show us.

The righteous are those who keep the commandments of the Lord. The unrighteous are those who find excuses not to do it. The environment of the earth is going to force righteousness and wickedness to be seen clearly.

When reading in Revelation about the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls of wrath, do not set them in chronological order – for that view creates only confusion. Instead, consider them as part of the time of harvest with what will be taking place. Those who do not overcome will not be ready to be raised from the dead. Instead, they will be gathered by the angels who have power over fire to cast them into the winepress of the wrath of God (Rev.20:4-6).

Mat 13:49-50 (KJV) So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, (50) And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

June 1: “You will have joy unspeakable once again. I will not leave you in this state of agony and sorrow. My joy will be made complete in you.”

June 3: “For God disciplines us for our benefit, so that we can show His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees and make straight paths for your feet, so what is lame may be healed.”

June 4: “Is the Lord’s power limited? You will see whether My word comes to pass or not.” (Num. 11:23)

June 5: “Keep yourself protected with the full armor of God. Remain clothed at all times and ready for combat against the forces of evil. Stay on the alert.”

June 8: “HOPE!”

June 11: “How can serving the Lord be so painful and yet so glorious at the same time? It is because of the work of the Holy Spirit in us both tearing down and building up. “We have the treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2 Cor. 4: 7-10.)

June 17: “ You are with Me in My plans”

June 19: “You must absolutely lose your mind in order to have His mind. That is not easy.”

June 25: “Close to you is where I want to be.”

June 26: “I rejoice and sing over you. You are faithful, a servant, one that is dependable and one I will honor. You will not turn away from Me but will serve Me honorably. My word is in you and I will sustain and keep you even when trouble and tribulation are upon you. So receive my song and rejoice.”

June 28: “I, the Lord, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will keep you and make you a covenant for the people and a light to the nations in order to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those sitting in darkness from the prison house. The past events have indeed happened. Now I declare new events; I announce them to you before they occur. ”

June 29: “ The Lord will make a way.”

Go to the Lost

1Co 3:6 KJV “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

All Christians are commanded to share with others those things that Jesus Christ has done and is continuing to do in their lives. With our testimonies of who He is and of His working on our behalf, we feed that need for the Savior in the lives of others. Many people already know about Christ, but many still need someone who cares enough to help them find a personal relationship with Him. We must not neglect to share even the things that we might consider to be small, for the Lord makes even a little go a long way.

Mar 6:35-44 KJV “And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: (36) Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. (37) He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? (38) He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. (39) And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. (40) And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. (41) And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. (42) And they did all eat, and were filled. (43) And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. (44) And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.”

Too many times I have heard well meaning Christian people say, “I don’t talk to people about Jesus. I just try to let the light shine by the way I live my life.” Yes, Christians should always be living examples, and the best example is to do what the Lord says and to say what He does.

Mat 28:19-20 KJV “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

I have never been able to get to know a person very well unless I have spoken with him or her. The world says that, “seeing is believing,” but the Bible says that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” And though we may not be able to go to all the nations individually, that does not excuse us for neglecting to share right now in the places where we live, where we work, where we shop, and where we play. We must realize that our families, neighbors, associates, acquaintances, and, yes, even strangers are our mission field. And though it has been said that, “actions speak louder than words,” we should more than double our effectiveness by using both.

2Ti 1:7-8 KJV “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God…”

-Kurt Thurston

Quotes

“Depend upon it, if you are bent on prayer, the devil will not leave you alone. He will molest you, tantalize you, block you, and will surely find some hindrances, big or little or both. And we sometimes fail because we are ignorant of his devices…I do not think he minds our praying about things if we leave it at that. What he minds, and opposes steadily, is the prayer that prays on until it is prayed through, assured of the answer.”

- Mary Warburton Booth

“Only they who fulfill God’s commands have a claim on the Lord.” - Leonard Ravenhill

"Prayer is occupation with my needs,

Praise is occupation with my blessings,

but Worship is occupation with God Himself."

- Leonard Ravenhill

MAY NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-05-01T08:59:00.000-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 5 May 2011

Persistence pays off. Ever hear that before? Persistence is what it is going to take with the Kingdom of God. We must persistently keep coming to the Lord for mercy in time of need. We must persistently keep obeying the Word of His command. We must persistently keep believing all the promises of God. We can no longer live a halfhearted relationship with our Lord. He has come to judge us and is looking for hearts that are totally sold out to Him in love, service and determination not to turn back or give up.

Heb 12:1 (AMP) THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

You are being watched. There are those in the spirit realm that are cheering you on and hoping and praying that you will keep going all the way to the end. Don’t let the enemy stop you. Don’t let the world stop you and don’t stop yourself by being worn out in this day.

Rom 2:7 AMP To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life.

Eternal life is being offered and that is what we want!

In Christ,
Pr. Steve

End of Days

Isa 26:20-21 (KJV) “ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (21) For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”

When we come to the closing of days called the “Church Age,” we enter into the Days of Judgment. The Seven Trumpets announce this day as a time of war during which Jesus begins to destroy His enemies. He begins with the forces of darkness that have kept people bound. The result of the seven trumpets indicates the beginning of severe tribulation for all inhabitants of the earth. THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD IS TO SEPARATE THE TRUE PEOPLE OF GOD FROM THE PEOPLE OF SATAN AND ANTICHRIST and from THE FALSE PROPHET AND BABYLON, which is religion. The blowing of the seven trumpets represents the time designated to humble and to purify the Bride of the Lamb, preparing her for the coming of the Lord.

There is great contrast between Genesis 1-2 and the Book of Revelation: it is peace and beauty vs. an inferno of destruction that has resulted from 6000 years of sin. Of all the tragedies of history including the Dark Ages, the Holocaust and others, nothing will compare to the last of days.

One may wonder why God would permit such agony and chaos to come. Please understand that God takes no delight in the pain of mankind. God does not take lightly the anguish that man suffers at his own doings. It grieves the Lord to see a single human being suffer the pain of confusion and turmoil. But God’s spiritual laws dictate His response: Some bring love, joy and peace while others bring death, destruction and torment. God has done all He will do to save man. If God went any further in controlling the conduct of people, they would cease to be human and would, instead, become puppets without a will.

God permits Satan to express all that is in his personality. And it will continue until sin and self-will have been brought to maturity. What we have today are the results of not abiding in the will and love of the Father. It is indeed a terrible plight for humanity.

But at the same time, God is bringing forth sons in His image. God’s sons will be filled with glory; and under Christ, they will reign supreme over all the works of God’s hands. The angels were created as ministering spirits for the heirs of Divine Salvation. But before the sons are fully born (which means born of a woman, born of the Spirit and raised from the dead), they must be thoroughly exposed to Satan’s being and works.

Rev 21:7 (KJV) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Each one who is to be called a son must of his own free will choose to abhor Satan and cling to God. The Lord Jesus Christ paid the price to help us do that. God’s Glory is revealed not only in forgiving sinners but also in bringing forth sons in His image – sons who under the most difficult of circumstances have chosen to obey their Father in all things.

The Day of Vengeance is upon us. This exercise of Divine Judgment will result ultimately in the destruction of the first creation. Man, animals, plants, the earth, sun, moon and stars will be done away with. The material creation will accomplish its purpose and be withdrawn in favor of a superior creation (Zeph. 1:2-3) & (2 Peter 3:10).

There will be a new sky and a new earth and a redeemed race to enjoy the new creation (Rev. 21:1).

Those who want to be a part of this new creation must do the will of God. Once you accept Christ as the Messiah and only Savior and Lord, from that point on you are tested with the will of God. Those who continue to do His will become the eternal creatures for the new creation (I John 2:17).

Luk 21:33 (KJV) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

All through the agonies of these last days more and more we will see the fulfillment of God’s Word which will never fail. Those who put their trust in the Lord shall be saved. It is of the utmost importance that the Word of God is clung to during the day of judgments. Some will see the moon turn to blood and the stars cease from shining, but the Lord will remain a sure foundation and a rock of stability for all who trust in Him.

Psalm 91 will become a tool of safety.

But there will be many who will cease to hold on, cease to believe, and cease to continue in the will of God. 2Th 2:9-11 (KJV) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

There has entered into this generation’s thinking a false hope. That hope is the concept of a pre-tribulation rapture. It is a perversion of Paul’s teaching about grace, mistakenly interpreting Paul to mean it is not necessary to live a righteous and holy life before the Lord. This inaccurate belief is destroying more Christians than other errors. It has produced an unconditional grace of amnesty that keeps Christians from growing up and expressing their lives in righteous conduct.

Terror is about to fall on all the nations of the earth. When it does, the believers who have been lulled to sleep by false doctrines will not wake up. They will not be able to stand and bear witness in the last of days – which is exactly what Satan’s scheme is all about. Instead, they will be slain spiritually by antichrist’s political and economic lies and through false religious acts. These are already taking place and much of the church does not discern.

My generation has been in the age of the Philadelphian Churches in which love has been manifested and patience has been developed. We came through the millennium and the Lord did not return. But now the lukewarmness of the body of Christ is absolutely evident. The Laodiceans are among us--so much so that many people will worship democracy over Christ’s will and love. Although this country is Christian in name and doctrine, she has become a friend of the world and the world system in most all that she does and portrays.

The Laodiceans profess “riches and increase in material goods.” But such trust in false riches is disgusting in the sight of the Lord. He will vomit the materialistic believer out of His mouth.

What are the Lampstands? The churches! Laodicea is a Lampstand of God. But it is being replaced by that which never was of God – by the False Prophet (spiritual deception) and by Babylon (the end-time Christian religion organization).

We already observe the False Prophet as the spirit of religion that has infiltrated the churches with deception and seduction. Anything that keeps a person from total commitment to Christ is this Spirit. In its place is more success and prosperity.

The False Prophet is among us showing all kinds of supernatural practices that include “false faith” by imagining something with positive thinking. [Ex: flooding in Texas – the Bible belt].

Any teaching about Christ that neglects laying down one’s life, taking up one’s cross and following Jesus is way of false Christianity.

In these last of days the Bible declares that this Antichrist Spirit will rule the governments of the world, making people think they are being saved and that somehow this is the Kingdom of God. But it is not of God. It is the False Prophet giving life to the Beast: Rev 13:15 (KJV) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Therefore, make sure you are preparing for these days. Stay close to the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him Lord of all. Remain faithful to the call as you see more and more come to pass. Because He is Lord, He knows exactly what He is doing.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

May 1 : “You have my heart and You know the way. I am still leading. You are being built up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. And you are getting to know Me.”

May 3: “My cry is for victory. My heart is confident in You, O Lord. I will sing praises with my whole being. Your faithfulness reaches the heavens. Save us, O God. Show us the way into triumph. Our human strength is useless, but with God we shall do valiantly.”

May 4: “I am my beloved’s and He is mine. And His banner over me is love.”

May 6: “My eyes are on You Lord until you show us favor We have had enough scorn. Show us your favor. Psm. 123:3.”

May 8: “Therefore we do not give up, even though our outer man is being destroyed, our inner man is being renewed day by day. For our monetary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what I unseen is eternal (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

May 10: “Send Your light and your truth. Bring me to your Holy Mountain so I can praise you, My God, my greatest joy. I will put my hope in You, for I will still praise you my Savior and my God.”

May 14:: “You are putting your life on the line for Me. I will see to it that you are victorious.”

May 18: “Be bold, be strong for the Lord your God is with you.”

May 25: “Your goodness still leads me, knowing that You love me more.

What Do You Say?

Most people like to talk much more than they like to listen. While observing people “conversing” out in public, I have often noticed that instead of the conversations being a dialog, they are closer to being two monologues. The two main choices of topic seem to be the people themselves and others who are not present at the time. The conclusions of these findings reveal an obvious need for the pursuit of greater life-giving preoccupations, along with a desperate need for more talk and time being spent upon the Lord and His purposes.

1Ti 5:13 (KJV) “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”

Mat 12:35-37 (KJV) “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

We can only share those things which we have sought. History reflects that through the ages a hunger for knowledge has held precedence over the seeking of wisdom. In general, people like to seek after and to share with others words of interest rather than absolute truth. It is no wonder that a large number of,“Christians” seem to be weak and powerless these days, when the majority of the words they speak have nothing to do with the Kingdom of God.

2Ti 4:2-4 (KJV) “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

As Christians, we must keep ourselves filled with the word of God, and full of the Holy Spirit so that we will be established and strengthened with enough life flowing through us to benefit others.

Joh 6:66-68 (KJV) “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (67) Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

Are we willing to lay down our worldly interests to pursue the eternal wisdom that brings forth the fruits of life? Are we strong enough in the Lord to even attempt to fulfill the great commission? Or would we rather choose to settle for earthly philosophies such as “silence is golden”?

Mat 28:19-20 (KJV) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

We are not the first to have to learn to overcome for the sake of the Kingdom. Exodus chapters 3 through 6 are full of examples of Moses giving God excuses why he could not speak to others when God told him too. But those same chapters also contain God making a way so that Moses could. The same is true today for anyone willing to answer the call. What do you say?

-Kurt Thurston

Quote by Amy Carmichael

God, harden me against myself,

The coward with pathetic voice

Who craves for ease and rest and joy.

Myself, arch-traitor to myself,

My hollowest friend,

My deadliest foe,

My clog, whatever road I go.

APRIL NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-04-01T08:57:00.000-04:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 4 April 2011

Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

The word “affection” has to do with the state of being affected. What is it that affects you? It is a bent of the mind towards a particular object? Something that keeps your mind occupied? Perhaps an attachment to that which causes you pleasure or interest in an ongoing manner? In general, it is a sense that makes us feel good about ourselves.

We have so much worldliness in us that many things in the natural realm make us feel good. We are consumed with carnal things to occupy our minds and thoughts continually without regard to what our interaction with them is making us do or doing to us.

We are exhorted to keep our affections not on the things of this world, but on the things of God. Do not love the world not the things that are in the world. “If anyone loves the world, the love for the Father is not in him” (I Jn.2:15). But you say, “I do love the Father.” You may think you do; but not according to the Word--if your affections are on the things of this world.

How do we love the world? By the things that give us joy, that we find pleasure in, and that fill our minds and imaginations.

How do we love the Father? By seeking the kingdom of God first!

It seems the Lord is wanting more of our attention than we have previously given. So let us lay down the things of this world and get our affections on that which will build us up eternally and make us true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Pr. Steve

TODAY’S WAR

We are in a war but Satan, our enemy, does not fight the normal way. We think because people can say and do whatever they want when it comes to religion that we really are pretty well off. But that belief is a deception because Satan fights us with comfort and materialism that keeps us spiritually impotent. All the while in other countries, the pressure is on to stop Christianity. The war is all around us, yet here we sit thinking everything is fine.

We can’t see the demonic activity like other countries do because our battle is with the temptations of the flesh – one on one. In fact, we don’t consider it a war. Instead, we look at it as having a little fun. What is wrong with that little indulgence? I can still be a Christian and enjoy my freedom. [Most people don’t want to wrestle with demons, so they can serve the Lord any way they choose.]

If we could see into the spirit realm and know what these spirits are doing, we would not put up with their devices by which they are continually scheming how to bring you down and defeat you. Why would Satan get so interested in you when there are billions of people he can mess with? Is it because he can see the call of God – the importance you are to the Kingdom of God? Does he see how often you pray and impact spiritual matters? Why do some people struggle more than others just to get through a day? Satan is not a romantic. He does not allow you to get away with serving the Lord with all your heart – he hates it, and he will do whatever to stop you. His goal is to get God to see that godly people are no different from the rest. Satan never rests – he is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

If we would look at our lives, knowing we are in a war in which we must fight to survive, we would never again take the church for granted and casually come and go whenever we had nothing else to do. We would never play church. If we could see the demons of lust, pornography, drugs and alcohol and all the rest, we would do something radical. But instead, Satan comes along very gently and entices us with little temptations and feelings of defeat so he can accuse us before the Father. Then he will turn on us until we give up.

We must never take our birthright of the Kingdom for granted. Remember Esau – he played the devil’s game so he could do and have what he wanted – he despised his birthright; and when it was too late, he found no repentance. It wasn’t “Poor Esau.” God said, “No,” to his cry.

God has called you to be in His army. You are in training and this army will march in its time. This preparation is real and the battle will come to pass. It is important business for the Kingdom. It is more important than getting your bills paid on time.

I am talking about genuine Christians, not church members who come and go whenever things heat up, or stop serving because they didn’t get their way. Or get mad at the pastor because he didn’t do what they thought he should do. I am talking about the genuine body of Christ who is paying the price to be all they are called to be. These are people who are being tempered in the fire, who have to wait and be put on the shelf often and then re-fired because they developed a crack in their vessel and they leak. You have to be made ready because otherwise you will be disabled in combat. What disables you? Lust? Works of the flesh? Is there anything that impairs your being and causes you to be unaware of your spiritual surroundings? We are in a day when the spirit realm is being opened up to us. We need to be made sensitive to the good and the evil operating around us. Is your judgment impaired today? Can you make God-directed decisions based on what is best for the body of Christ? For others? And for yourself?

Why is there excessive training today for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Police, Firemen, Coast Guard, Seals, Delta Force? The majority of people get a job with very little training or qualifications. The people who lead this country certainly are not trained or qualified. But those destined to protect and be used in very dangerous positions have extensive training. And they become the best they can be or they are dismissed. I believe we are in this kind of training. And I don’t want to be dismissed.

Before he does makes a decision, a serious Christian will consider everything he does and as well as how it will affect him The average church goers will not do make this spiritual inventory. Christ is coming soon and He is coming with and for those who are ready to do something about the problems of this world. I was designed to work for the King, and I am going to be ready to do my part. Do not disqualify yourself by being sloppy with your actions and words and decisions.

If you could see in the spirit realm, you would realize someone is trying to take your place. Are you going to let yourself be replaced?

For example, why should devoted Christians not drink alcohol? Now, I know many that do. Why do people drink the nasty stuff? Because of the way it makes them feel. But while you feel that way, you often do something stupid things that can affect you for years to come. Why have so many ignored God’s Word?

Proverbs 31:4-5 (NIV)
⁴"It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
⁵lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

Are you not called to be a king? When you are destined to be a king, you are called to rule. That is why we are called a royal priesthood. Royal means governing. And you can’t drink and govern. {If you are stuck in this sin, just say, “NO!”} Tell the Lord you want free of it. Get real with God. Don’t fool around and lose your birthright! We are dealing with the Commander. He is not going to let us get away with anything in this day. Christ doesn’t drink. He doesn’t need to because He is filled with the Holy Spirit. Alcohol is a substitute for the Holy Spirit. And so is every other impairment and addiction!

Rev 5:10 KJV And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

We are coming close to this fulfillment and we must be ready. It wasn’t taught before now because it wasn’t necessary. But now He is preparing His army because this is what we have been called to fulfill. Revelation 19 tells us He is coming as the Commander of His Army and He is going to make war. The only ones who will be raised to meet the Lord in the air are those qualified to be in His army; otherwise, they will create havoc because they won’t know what to do. This is a day of preparation and Jesus is looking for soldiers. Stop wimping around because you don’t get your way. Stop thinking that everyone is against you – It is a new day of thinking and living. No soldier can go to war if He is not prepared. It takes discipline and training. And anyone who is willing can be made ready. 2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Everyone who complains about war that goes on with this country is fighting against God who is trying to reveal to His church what it is going to take in this period of time. Everything else that the church is dealing with is junk compared to what God is doing. The conflict of the ages and the fury that will be released is upon us.

So don’t let Satan get the best of you by convincing you of something other than to be filled with the Spirit of God and prepared to fight. It’s a war!

Psa 18:34 (KJV) He teacheth my hands to war… What do these words mean? He doesn’t teach us how to play patty-cake. He shows us what weapons to use, how to wield them, how to keep the enemy from taking them from us, and how to protect ourselves and our loved ones. What is in your hands today? God wants to show you how to use it as a weapon, but how will God will strengthen you for battle.

Psa 18:1-6 (KJV) I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. (2) The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (3) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (4) The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. (5) The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. (6) In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

When the battle rages and you feel like you are in hell, God will come to your rescue and deliver you because He hears your cry of help!

Why are these battles real and the war going to happen? Because God is through with letting man run the show and destroying themselves. He wants love, joy and peace so man can enjoy His creation and His rest. The trumpets are blowing – Let the earth rejoice and sing, “The Lord reigns.” And be glad you are a part of this awesome calling.

Before every great move of God, He prepares a people. Their preparation starts with repentance. Then He follows up with instruction to find the people who will take the discipline. Many have been called today so rejoice and be glad for “The Lord Reigns.”

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

April 1: “You are good and you do what is good.”

April 6: “Young men, you have overcome the evil one. Mature people don’t fight with Satan.”

April 15: “ You will be filled. You will have the strength to carry on. You will be encouraged through all you do. I am with you to enforce My power in your life.”

April 19: “Show us your strength, O God.”

April 22: “Be strong and take courage. Be in the power of My might and live in the fullness of My Spirit.”

April 23:: “But as for me, Lord, my prayer to You is for a time of favor. In Your abundant faithful love, God, answer me with Your sure salvation. (Psm. 69:13)”

April 25: “To know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, and being made conformed to His death.”

Stressed?

Are you stressed? How can you tell? Do you worry much of the time, and do you get frustrated easily? Are you constantly tired, irritable, or angry? These traits are symptoms of unhealthy stress. Other signs of stress are headaches, neck aches, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, and indigestion. It is important naturally and spiritually to quickly recognize these symptoms of unhealthy stress and deal with their roots before they cause greater illnesses.

Pro 4:20-27 (KJV) “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. (25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. (26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. (27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”

What do we spend our time looking at and listening to? Do we have a plan for each day that includes seeing and hearing the word of God? If we believed that the words of God are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh, would we not make room for them? And what about the stuff we do take the time to watch and listen to? Are they really worthy of our time, and are they healthy for our hearts? Luk 6:45 (KJV) “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

Have you noticed that when people eat something that really disagrees with them, their demeanor usually starts to change; then they get feeling so bad that they realize something is wrong; and finally, they lose their ability to continue to keep it inside, and it comes hurling from their mouth. The scripture said that the things that we allow to come into our hearts will be the fashion of what comes forth from our mouths as well. What do you spend your time saying? If we recognize that we have a problem in this area, and then deal with it, we may just eliminate some of the unhealthy stress from our lives.

Mar 7:20 “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.”

What do you spend your time thinking about? Pro 23:7 (KJV) “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:…” This issue is crucial concerning both everyday life, and unhealthy stress. There are a great number of internal and external influences that constantly push to captivate our thinking. Some of the external influences are: major life changes, relationship difficulties, work, financial problems, busy lifestyles, children and family, and spiritual warfare. And some of the inward influences are: pessimism, perfectionism, unrealistic expectations, and an inability to accept uncertainty. If we are prisoners to an out of control thought life, we need to repent for the wrong thinking, renounce that thinking every time it tries to come back, and relinquish the control of our lives to God.

Pro 3:5-10 (KJV) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (9) Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (10) So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

How do we spend our time & our money? Only we really know; but if we find the will of the Lord and do the will of the Lord with both our time and our money, we will also have found life that is neither fettered nor festered with unhealthy stress.

-Kurt Thurston

Quotes

"The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures."

- A.W. Tozer

"Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late - and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work. To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in Scripture is to waste a lot of words and gets nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience."

- A.W. Tozer

"How hard is it sometimes to get leave of hearts to seek God! Jesus Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace."

- Thomas Watson

"You know, people say that today. "Oh, I am just a saved sinner." That is like saying you are a married bachelor. That is like saying you are an honest thief, or a pure harlot. You can't be a saved sinner. You are either saved or you are a sinner. He came. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall save his people from their sins."

He saves us from sins that we have committed and from committing a thousand more that would meet us at the judgment."

-Leonard Ravenhill

"You know, we live in a day when we are more afraid of holiness than we are of sinfulness. We accommodate ourselves to iniquity not only in the world, but in the fellowships round about."

-Leonard Ravenhill

"To be much for God, we must be much with God. Jesus, that lone figure in the wilderness, knew strong crying, along with tears. Can one be moved with compassion and not know tears? Jeremiah was a sobbing saint. Jesus wept. So did Paul. So did John....Though there are some tearful intercessors behind the scenes, I grant you that to our modern Christianity, praying is foreign."

- Leonard Ravenhill

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network

Richmond Center:

Summer Break! Classes resume in August

MARCH NEWSLETTER 2011

2011-03-01T08:56:00.000-05:00

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7

Vol. 20, No. 3 March 2011

Worldwide, we have just seen a winter for the record books. But you don’t have to get too excited; it is just the beginning. We will continue to see some extravagant events take place that will shake the world scene.

Where does that leave you as a Christian? Do you hold firm to your convictions that God knows what He is doing? Do you truly believe that He loves and protects you no matter what happens? If you have not yet been tested in this area, then it is going to be difficult for you when things heat up in your corner.

I have experienced so much over the past few years that I am more and more convinced of the love and care that God has for His children. The church is growing up and is able to handle disappointments and a turning away from the worldly scene that is coming down. You can’t be a part of it and still be safe in the arms of Jesus.

Salvation is truly more than believing in Jesus. It is abiding in Jesus Who will keep us and guide us in this Day of Vengeance.

Isa 61:1-2 (KJV) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

In Christ,
Pr. Steve

CASUAL LIVING

Luk 9:57-62 (KJV) And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (58) And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (59) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. (60) Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. (61) And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. (62) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Do not get distracted with the culture of our day! This is a pull from the spiritual darkness. The problem is that we are in a day such as Noah’s in which people were marrying and partying, eating and drinking, and doing what the culture dictated. There is nothing wrong with eating or drinking or marrying. But God’s Word says these activities can become problems. It is not that people do these things; it is that they take precedence over everything else. It is occupation with the world and the things of the world. The flood came suddenly and swept them away. The Lord knows we must eat and that we can marry, but we must not be consumed with the ordinary things of life. The problem is not the addicts, the homosexuals, or murderers. They know deep down inside what they are doing is wrong. The problem is the ordinary. Nobody is starving. Most people have a roof over their head. But what about the ordinary things? You may worry about the future, about terrorism, about paying your taxes. But you will survive. But what about that which goes on in your own household? Does it consume you and your time? Do you say you are following the Lord, but you are actually more concerned about the daily cares of life?

The greatest problems for the Kingdom of God are the mundane things that consume us--the ordinary living that keeps us from following the Lord with our whole hearts. Do we keep looking back wishing for something different?

When things get severe in our lives, as when someone close to us dies, or we have the loss of financial security, or a sickness overtakes us, we begin to pray like never before. We need answers and consolation and hope. BUT, if we are not in a difficult place, things seem to be settled around us and we lean back and relax; we tend to back off with God.

But we are in a war. When war breaks out you can’t relax or sit back and allow people to be destroyed. You have to watch and be on the alert 24-7. But we aren’t. We tend to the casual things of life as if the war doesn’t include us.

When the Lord says, “Follow Me,” He means keep your minds focused on Him at all times. That means “Watch.” What we think it means is, “Can I get away with doing what I want and still be safe? Just tell me the rules and I will follow to the best of my ability; and grace will keep me the rest of the way.” That is the attitude of “religion.” There is a big difference between following Christ and having religion that does what it wants just to survive. Religion is a school, but God is a life. You can learn about the things of God, but somewhere you have to start dealing with God. Religion has caused more wars and problems than anything else in life or throughout history. And, now, because of religion worldwide, we have the greatest threat to our way of living The point is that as we sit idly by with the mundane things of life, we are being overtaken-– American Christians are like frogs – we sit comfortably in a cool safe place; but all the while, things are heating up until we no longer have the energy to jump to safety. God wants to wake us up before it is too late. If you live a casual life, you are not being prepared for the Kingdom of God.

What is it that occupies your mind most of the time? You say, “But if I keep my mind on the Lord, I won’t get my job done.” Actually, it is quite the opposite. The more you dwell on the Lord, the more you will accomplish in a shorter time with fewer mistakes. You actually do better the more you dwell on Christ and on what He is saying and doing. You will do a better job if your mind is on the Lord. And then when things happen that are out of your control, you won’t be in a panic.

The way a Christian is supposed to live is to continually be asking the Lord “What am I to do today and how do I do it?” Don’t wait for a disaster. It was said that the government was not ready for Hurricane Katrina--of course they weren’t. They were living as usual, believing nothing bad was going to happen. But it did. And it will again--something will happen, but are you going to be prepared?

Follow Christ! Don’t live a casual life! Jesus told us what a true disciple was in Luke 9:23-25.

According to Acts 11:26 disciples were called Christians. So by definition a true Christian is a disciple who follows the leading and direction of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not how many times a week you attend church. That is the school of the disciple, but it is not the life. The life is when you decide that Jesus is first in your life. It is an orientation to the way you live. It is the way you approach life. It is the way you approach your job. It is the way you approach your school. It is the way you approach every test of life. You don’t live blindly. It is “Lord, how about this? Lord, how about that ?” Consulting Him becomes second nature to you. Then when the lid blows off, and it will one day, you will get through the situation with great grace and dignity.

Don’t get caught in the political issues of the democrats or the republicans. Get caught up with what Jesus is saying. You may think, "I don’t know what Jesus is saying." Did you think about listening? Stop and listen!

If we have received the Lord, then according to Colossians 3 we are already at the right hand of Christ. But you will lose sight of your position if you maintain a casual life down here. God wants us to become aware of who we are and where we are and what He is saying. Every true Christian has the Spirit of Prophecy. Are you developing it? It doesn’t make you a prophet; it makes you aware of spiritual things in your life and the lives of those with whom you associate. The Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. And it is in you, but you have to listen. Take time to be holy, and speak often with your Lord.

If you are having difficulty hearing Jesus, maybe it is because you are listening too much to the voices of the world. Too many voices make you crazy. It is a question of “redeeming the time.” How do you use your time? The casual Christian is occupied with worldly concerns. That condition is called “being lukewarm!” That is the standard of Christianity in America. But that doesn’t make it Godly. The rest of the world is not America.

When you come to the place where the Lord fills your mind and your thoughts, you can do just about anything; do it well; and be content in what you are doing, knowing that you are being led by the Spirit of God. But when you are not occupied by the Spirit of God, you find yourself wasting time, wasting money, and wasting your talents on the ordinary, mundane, useless things of life.

It’s not just a time of eating and drinking and marrying, but it is also a time of buying and selling, planting and building. Here, we are not talking about sin being the problem. The problem is taking for granted that you are ok when you “think” you are being true to Jesus. Instead, you may simply be “adding” Jesus to your life instead of making Him Lord of your life. Such a state means we have accepted Him as Savior, but not as King.

If you are going in the wrong direction, Jesus will help you. It does not matter how bad your situation; when you sincerely ask for His help, He will guide you through the rough times, the good times, and every time of life. No bondage can keep you from His delivering hand if you ask Him.

If you are a person who doesn’t spend any time listening to Jesus, you are doing exactly what Satan wants. He wants to keep you spiritually immature so you won’t be any threat to his kingdom. He doesn’t want you to rule because he thinks this earth belongs to him.

According to Bible, there are demonic spirits that have been sent to dry places after being cast out of people. They are constantly looking for a person who is open spiritually, one who has some water spiritually. These demons want to occupy your dwelling place to sustain them and give them a feeling of life. They will wear you down until they can find an opening to come in. This is not theory – this is Bible. And this is happening to the Church in America. Demons are being released from all parts of the earth. How many, I don’t know. Where they come from, we are not told. But they are here. And they will manifest when you least expect it. Little by little you gratify them until they begin to rule and control you. When you begin to dry up spiritually, they aren’t bothered. They just find someplace else to go—another body to inhabit.

But with the power of Jesus operating in you, they have no place in you. They can’t harm you and can’t touch you, but you have to mean business with Him and determine not to live casually.

The ordinary pursuits of life can so occupy you that you don’t hear from Jesus, and in the meantime the protection over your life is ebbing away. All the while the little demons are waiting, ready to jump aboard.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2010

Mar. 4: “My peace is with you at all times. It is available through every difficult thought or circumstance. I am that peace. It goes beyond understanding. And it fills your being so you can think and act according to the power of the Spirit at work in your being.”

Mar. 5: “You have been declared righteous because of the faith you have in Me.”

Mar. 8: “At the “Name of Jesus…….”

Mar.9: “Be strong, Son, for this fight if not yours but Mine. I know the battle you are in but the victory is assured because I am in control.”

Mar. 11: Power is perfected in weakness.

Mar.13: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

Mar. 18: “I hear your cries for help. I am leading you.”

Mar. 22: I will keep running the race until I meet the goal set for me by the Lord Jesus. Then I will receive my reward.

Mar. 27: Lord, You always treat me fairly. Teach me to have good judgment. Before I was afflicted, I did not understand the pain of others. But You are good and You do what is good. I have learned Your precepts with all my heart. It was good for me to be afflicted so I could learn your statutes. I will serve You all the days of my life

Mar. 30: “A broken and contrite spirit, O Lord, You will not refuse.”

The Fire of Love

Deu 5:6-22 (KJV) “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (7) Thou shalt have none other gods before me. (8) Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: (9) Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, (10) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. (11) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (12) Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. (13) Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: (14) But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. (15) And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. (16) Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (17) Thou shalt not kill. (18) Neither shalt thou commit adultery. (19) Neither shalt thou steal. (20) Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. (21) Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. (22) These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.”

What do we feel when we read these commandments? Be honest with yourself, what do you feel? One can experience a myriad of contemplations, and even be moved emotionally by these commands from God; but the real message here is that God sends His fire to cleanse and keep us through His Word and His Spirit. He is our Heavenly Father and His love for us causes Him to speak to us, and His desire for us causes Him to commune with us.

Deu 5:26-27 (KJV) “For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? (27) Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.”

People tend to push away from God. Why would we push away from God? Unhealthy fear has always caused people to make mistakes. We should not make decisions that are motivated by unhealthy fear. We should instead ask ourselves what the motivation is for every decision that we are about to make before moving forward in it. We must also understand that God’s motivation is to care for us and to direct us.

Deu 5:33 (KJV) “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”

We must let the fire of God consume everything that is not of Him in our lives. Only as that is happening is our worship to Him in spirit and in truth and our lives lived to the fullest.

Mat 3:11-12 (KJV) “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (12) Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

We know that this fire is working in us because God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to baptize us with His Holy Spirit and to give His life for us. His motivation is love for us, so let us live our lives with motivations of love for Him above all else.

Son 8:6-7 (KJV) “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. (7) Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.”

-Kurt Thurston

“A Story”

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well-healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress the wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me, no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in 5 years now. I was surprised, and asked him, ‘and you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?’ He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘she doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.’ I had to hold back tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, ‘that is the kind of love I want in my life.’

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

I want to share this with you; you may have seen this as an email before.

The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.

‘Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.’

We are all getting older. Tomorrow may be our turn.

Next course from Christian Life Educators Network

Richmond Center:

April 7-9 2011

Biblical Approach to the Wounded Human Spirit by Rev. Carol Fallaw

This course is a study of the wounded spirit. We will examine reasons a person’s

spirit becomes wounded and gain a greater understanding of how God restores.

Included are practical tools to minister to hurting people.