12/30/09 THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS SUFFICIENT

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS SUFFICIENT

Our salvation does not depend on water baptism. While water baptism serves a purpose, the Bible teaches that there is only ONE BAPTISM, and that is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit (Ep. 4:5). Likewise, our communion with God is not dependent on cup and bread, but only the Blood. Jesus actually said physically eating His flesh was useless, since, THE FLESH PROFITS NOTHING (Jn. 6:63)

For those who are wondering, I have a friend who recently got ensnared by a Baptismal Regeneration group that also requires bread and cup for salvation.

12/30/09 RECOVERING WHAT WAS LOST

RECOVERING WHAT WAS LOST
The total package of N. T. Christianity was active in the days of the apostles.

Through the years, the Church lost its vitality, connection and truth.

Over the past 500 years the Church has been recovering its light and life.

One of the Church's great treasures is the oneness of the Body of Christ.

Without the unity of believers, there is no power, joy or love.

Unity includes our thoughts and beliefs.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:10
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

We Should SPEAK THE SAME THING.
We Should HAVE NO DIVISIONS.
We should BE PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER IN THE SAME MIND AND JUDGMENT.

12/30 CONDUITS OF LOVE, LIGHT AND LIFE

CONDUITS OF LOVE, LIGHT AND LIFE

God gave the shepherds His Son. His Son gave them, Love, Light, Life.

These gifts can last a lifetime. These gifts changed the shepherds from being mission fields to missionaries.

Those Impacted by the incarnation become agents of this redemptive love, light and life to others.

12/29/09 PRIORITIZING IN 2010

PRIORITIZING IN 2010

We can achieve the essential by understanding, "The Agenda of the Possible," and "The Tyranny of the Urgent."

The "Agenda of the Possible" is realizing that we can't do everything, but we can do everything God calls us to do. Focus on what you can do.

The "Tyranny of the Urgent" is fighting emergency fires. Do not allow these to cause you to lose view of your mission. Problems are caused by,

Ourselves,

Others or

Satan.

Planning limits Problems.

DO NOT MISS THE MISSION
Don't be ensnared by the failures and problems of the past, instead focus, stretch, strain to reach the goal set before you.

Philippians 3:13
13 ... but this one thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, and
REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEFORE,

If we wait too late we will not reach our goal or fulfill our calling. Don't let your ministry be the victim of DOA,

Death,

Opportunities lost,

Abilities wasted.

There are few people concerned with spiritual or eternal values, but we are called.

Our response to God's call determines if we are chosen.

Do not live for the now, live for eternity.

God demands It, the world needs it and we must accept it.

12/28/09 LETTING OTHERS CONTROL YOUR THERMOSTAT

LETTING OTHERS CONTROL YOUR THERMOSTAT
One of the strangest things I've seen in broken relationships is the way some people justify their anger with a Christian, by fostering the anger, gossip and false accusations spewed by a disgruntled third party. The only grievance they personally have with the Christian is based on the twisted view of a false witness. People find it easier to believe a lie than believe the truth. Love believes the best.

VERSES and NOTES...
PROVERBS 18:13
13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.
DLG NOTE... God's instruction is clear; Do not judge a person or a dispute without hearing both sides of the issue. To accept the words of a false witness is to make an enemy of a brother and become guilty of bringing division in the body of Christ.

PROVERBS 29:22
22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.

JAMES 1:19-20
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.

PROVERBS 25:18
18 A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
DLG NOTE... This verse tells how the word of a false witness destroys people's relationships and reputations A Maul (hammer) shatters into small pieces and crushes into dust. A Sword cuts and divides a body into dismemberment. A Sharp Arrow penetrates deeply and delivers the killing blow.

12/28/09 MORE ON THE ANSWER

MORE ON THE ANSWER

TRUE CHRISTIANITY... The word RADICAL means, Arising From Or Going To A Root Source. A RADICAL CHRISTIAN is one who is coming from or going to his ROOT SOURCE. Since Christianity is rooted in self sacrificing love of Christ, the true Christian is non violent. Peace Making is not the deviant form of Christianity, it is Christianity. Peace Making is not Pacifism. Cultural (Western, Modern) Christianity is the deviant.

ROOTED IN LOVE AND PEACE
Christianity was conceived in Love, Self Sacrifice, Grace, Mercy and the Justice of God.
Christianity was born in Love, Self Sacrifice, Grace, Mercy and the Justice of God.
Christianity is propagated through Love, Self Sacrifice, Grace, Mercy, establishing Justice for All.
Christianity is sustained through Love, Self Sacrifice, Grace, Mercy and Equal Justice under the Law.

Though there are NO CHRISTIAN NATIONS in the world...
Look at the nations which had their beginnings in Christian principles, and see the influence of Christianity.

Look at the peace, freedom and strength where Christianity has been allowed to exist.
Look at the redemptive and restorative influence of Christianity on the prison population.
Look at the spread of health, wealth, education, charity, justice and freedom where Christianity has been allowed to operate freely.

Do not confuse the aberrations, Christ-less facsimiles and rejectors of Christ with Biblical, Radical, Fundamental, Extreme Christianity.

Christianity grows in every environment except disbelief and disobedience.

12/28/09 THE PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER

THE PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER

TRUE ISLAM...

The word RADICAL means, Arising From Or Going To A Root Source.

A RADICAL MUSLIM is one who is coming from or going to his ROOT SOURCE.

Since Islam is rooted in violence, the true Muslim is a violent Muslim. Radical Islam is not the deviant form of Islam, it is Islam.

Cultural Islam (aka Moderate Islam) is the deviant. Radical (Fundamental, Extreme) Islam will force its agenda and is on the rise.

ROOTED IN VIOLENCE
Islam was conceived in violence.
Islam was born in violence.
Islam is propagated through violence.
Islam is sustained through violence.

Look at the Islamic nations of the world to see the true nature and product of Islam.

Look at the terror, loss of freedom and collapse of free regions where Islam is allowed to exist.

Look at the violent influence of Islam on the prison population.

Islam does not grow where self sacrificing love and self denial flourishes.

THE ANSWER TO RADICAL ISLAM
While there are probably three answers to Radical Islam, I will highlight one; RADICAL CHRISTIANITY.

RADICAL CHRISTIANITY is rooted in the Person and Message of Jesus Christ. There are very few Radical Christians.

If Radical Christianity is not allowed to answer Radical Islam, then either Radical Islam will devour its prey or violent resistance from other sources will rise up against Radical Islam.

12/27/09 MAYBE NOT A SILLY QUESTION

MAYBE NOT A SILLY QUESTION (hehehe)

So, if a suicide terrorist is foiled while trying to bring down a plane, and then the plane flies over a state that allows legally assisted suicides, can another passenger dispatch the terrorist without facing charges?

12/26/09 DON'T MISS THE BOAT

DON'T MISS THE BOAT
The Best Time to Catch the Last Ferry, leaving the island for the mainland, is Before It Leaves The Dock. Too often people Wait Until Its Too Late; Too Late to Seek the Lord or Accept the Lord or Serve God Completely or Walk in the Light or Strive in Prayer or Practice Biblical Unity or Break Ranks with the Wicked or Follow Fully or Put Off the Old Life or Abide in Christ.

SEEK THE LORD
ISAIAH 55:6
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

ACCEPT CHRIST
2 CORINTHIANS 6:2
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

SERVE GOD COMPLETELY
ROMANS 6:19
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

WALK IN THE LIGHT
ROMANS 13:11-14
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

STRIVE IN PRAYER
ROMANS 15:30
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

PRACTICE BIBLICAL UNITY
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

BREAK RANKS WITH THE WICKED
1 CORINTHIANS 5:11
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.

FOLLOW FULLY
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

PUT OFF THE OLD LIFE
COLOSSIANS 3:8-9
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

ABIDE IN CHRIST
1 JOHN 2:28
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

12/26/09 RESPONDING TO THE BIRTH OF IMMANUEL

RESPONDING TO THE BIRTH OF IMMANUEL

Lk 2:15, 17,18, 20

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child;

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds...

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 

THE SHEPHERD'S RESPONSE

The shepherds obeyed the message of God.

They wondered, they were amazed, they were astonished at what the angel told them.

They glorified and praised God for what they saw and heard.

WHAT IS MY RESPONSE?
There is nothing wrong with enjoying and sharing our gifts, experiences and joys of the season, with other people. We should. But we should be as animated, enthusiastic and persistent in sharing the real meaning of the season.

When the wrappings are discarded, the food is all gone and the games are all played, the real meaning of Christmas should be just as Fresh and Dynamic as it was on the hillsides of Bethlehem.

The shepherds were from the ranks of the masses.

They were not chosen for their oratory or their position in society.

They were chosen and called because they were among those who "sat in great darkness and saw a great light."

They were chosen to take the liberating light of the gospel to others, who were bound by the shackles of darkness.

Maybe there is so little telling the message and sharing the Christ as well as glorifying and praising God because people are still waiting for deliverance themselves.

12/26/09 A DIFFERENCE

A DIFFERENCE

One of the things that differs between the actual birth of Christ and today's commercialized version is the satisfying and lasting impact.

I believe the shepherds Continued to be Exhilarated from their Encounter with the Angels, their Visit to the Manger, their Meeting with Joseph and Mary, and most of all, with their Worship of the Christ.

They Remembered it in Amazement, and Declared it in Wonder for Decades.

12/25/09 PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTION

PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTION

For weeks I eagerly anticipated Christmas Day.

It was almost impossible to go to sleep the night before.

I would lie in bed Christmas morning, waiting for my dad to let me go into the living room.

WOW, the room was awesomely magical with JOY, LOVE and GIFTS.

Could it be that my Excitement, as a child, awaiting Christmas Day, should have been prototypical of my RAPT ANTICIPATION concerning THE DAY of CHRIST'S RETURN?

12/24/09 THE SHEPHERDS ENCOUNTER JESUS

THE SHEPHERDS ENCOUNTER JESUS
The simple account of the Shepherds, found in Luke 2, reveals several characteristics that are typical to a personal encounter with Jesus;

1- Revelation of the message (vss.8-14);

2- Rendezvous with the Messiah (vss. 15-16);

3- Reporting to the masses (vss. 17-18);

4- Rejoicing in the ministry (vs. 20).

FOUR PHASES FROM MISSION FIELD TO MISSIONARY
Revelation of the message
Luke 2:8-14
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Rendezvous with the Messiah
Luke 2:15-16
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Reporting to the masses
Luke 2:17-18
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Rejoicing in the ministry
Luke 2:20
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

12/24/09 RECLAIM THE WONDER..

RECLAIM THE WONDER...

Sadly, when children get older they tend to lose the wonder of Christmas.

Maybe they outgrow the myths, fantasies and legends of the season.

Maybe they are embittered by the Disappointments, Hypocrisy and Emptiness in adults.

More sadly, Christians sometimes lose the wonder of Christmas, because of Cynicism, Responsibilities or Disconnectedness.

Choose to return to the Wonder of Emmanuel.

Luke 2:6-20
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

12/24/09 TWO KINDS OF GLOBAL WARMING

TWO KINDS OF GLOBAL WARMING

GLOBAL WARMING IN THE DAY OF GRACE...

Christmas is the celebration of Global Heart Warming, which is a God Made Condition.

As John Wesley said, "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death" (Journal, 24th May, 1738).

God intended this warming of the heart for everyone.

Luke 2:8-14

(8)  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(9)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

(10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

(11)  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

(12)  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

(13)  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

(14)  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

GLOBAL WARMING IN THE DAY OF WRATH...
God's response to sin...
Psalm 46:6
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Psalm 68:2-3
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Psalm 97:1-6
1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him, and burns up his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

Psalm 112:10
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Isaiah 13:6-11
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travails: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

Nahum 1:3-8
3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers: Bashan languishes, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languishes.
5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.
8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

2 Peter 3:10-13
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.

12/23/09 BAD NEWS ... GOOD NEWS

BAD NEWS ... GOOD NEWS
The World Is The Wellspring Of Bad News

* The world is filled with violence (as in the days of Noah; and days of Ezekiel, concerning Tyre).

* The news reports and reporters are filled with Negativity, Cynicism and Irreverence.

* I sometimes have to make myself listen.

God Is The Source Of Good News

The good news gives us...

* Hope (it encourages us)

* Holiness (it purifies us)

* Heaven (it saves us)

The Good News Was...

* Promised by Prophets

* Announced by Angels

* Manifested by Messiah

* Proclaimed by Preachers.

VERSES...

BAD NEWS (violence)
Genesis 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

GOOD NEWS
Promised by the Prophets
Isaiah 52:7
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigns!

Announced by Angels
Luke 2:9-11
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Manifested by the Messiah
Isaiah 61:1-2 (Luke 4:18-19)
1 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;

Proclaimed by Preachers (all Believers)
Romans 10:14-15
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

12/22/09 LOST TREASURES

LOST TREASURES

Four Precious Treasures...

Opportunities

Hopes

Friends

Relationships

Two Ways to Lose Them...

Neglect them

Reject them

Three Steps to Reclaim Them...

Relocate

Recover

Restore

It is better to not lose a treasure than reclaim a treasure.

Some treasures are never reclaimed because of death.

12/22/09 Divine Solution to the Dilemma of Sin

Divine Solution to the Dilemma of Sin

In Isaiah we read about King Ahaz, of Judah, facing the threat of attack from King Rezin, of Syria, and also from the nation of Israel, under the leadership of Pekah. However, Ahaz did not seek for help and deliverance from God. Instead, he rejected God and called on godless Assyria.

This is a picture of the unsaved person trying to deal with problems in his life, by turning to something other than God.

God used this situation to announce the coming of Messiah, or Anointed One (Jesus), the virgin born, Son of God, Who is also the King of kings. Isaiah gives us titles, which belong to the prophesied Messiah, which Isaiah also called Immanuel (God with us). 

ISAIAH PASSAGES...
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

From this passage we can see that we should seek help from God, rather than depend on the power of the world of the powers of the flesh. Our help is in the Lord.

12/21/09 GOD, THE GREAT GIVER..

GOD, THE GREAT GIVER...

The Father gave His Son for us, and He has freely given us all things, including things that pertain to life and godliness and every good and perfect gift.

Jesus gave Himself and gives salvation, eternal life and the Holy Spirit to His followers.

Among other blessings, the Holy Spirit gives us gifts for ministry. The 4 essential gifts are Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist & Pastor-Teacher, which may be most important today.

GIFTS FROM THE FATHER...
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

GIFTS FROM THE SON...
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

GIFTS FROM THE SPIRIT...
Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

FOUR FOUNDATIONAL GIFTS...
APOSTLE... Though there are “sent ones” today, it was required for a person to have seen Jesus in the flesh in order to be a New Testament Apostle.

PROPHET... Though there are people who speak forth the word of God today, there is no new revelation being given, as to the Old and New Testament Prophets.

EVANGELIST... Though there are people who are specially gifted to evangelize, the fact is that all believers should be winning souls and all pastors should do the work of an evangelist.

PASTOR-TEACHER... Is the great need of the Church today. This Two Part Gift/Office of Pastor and Teacher is God's primary gift and office of equipping and leading the local church.

Shepherds with a cluster of gifts, including wisdom, knowledge, authority, leadership and the ability to preach and teach (publicly and privately) are rare and necessary gifts to local churches.

12/21/09 SECRET DEALS BRING JUDGMENT

SECRET DEALS BRING JUDGMENT

God despises secret plans which subvert His will and oppress the people. Obama and his disciples need to repent and America needs to wake up. GOD SAID THIS LONG AGO...

Isaiah 29:15

15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us?

God sees the sins done in secret and His judgment is sure.

12/21/09 CHRISTIAN POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

CHRISTIAN POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
The USA has always had corruption in high places, BUT Obama's administration has taken US to an all time low (today's SWEET DEALS FOR HEALTH BILL). Even if we WISH for a better USA, it is probably NOT IN THE BAG. It is a lost opportunity that will not return, because USA rejected God's supreme Gift of Christmas, the Prince of Peace and King of kings. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.

TRUE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS...
is when individuals and governments obey Christ as King. We will not see governments yield until Jesus comes back.

Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

12/20/09 REPENTANCE IS A CORE VALUE

REPENTANCE IS A CORE VALUE
(what do you have in your core?)

True repentance does not wait for, or depend on, another person to reciprocate. Repentance is changing one's own mind about sin and surrendering to God, rather than working a deal.

If a person says he repents, but then is angry because another party did not ask them for forgiveness in return, then the "repentant" one has not really repented.

12/20/09WE CELEBRATE THE TRUTH OF THE INCARNATION, NOT THE TIME

WE CELEBRATE THE TRUTH OF THE INCARNATION, NOT THE TIME

For all the Grinches out there, who want to steal the meaning, joy and celebration of the Incarnation from us, let me ask a question. Is it any less celebratory to commemorate a person's birth, even if we do not know the exact date of birth? I don't even know for certain the year, let alone the date of Christ's birth. It is not the date, but The Fact... not the date, but The Meaning of His birth we Celebrate.

12/20/09 EXCHANGING GIFTS

EXCHANGING GIFTS
Someone has said,

"Life is God's gift to us, what we do with it is our gift to Him."

12/20/09 JUST CHECKING YOUR VALUES

JUST CHECKING YOUR VALUES

Here is a rhetorical question for you. If you knew that a Governmental/Political/Military/Economic decision by the USA, to stand with the Muslim world against Israel, would benefit the USA, would you favor such a decision?

More precisely, your decision would deny Israel's right to the land of Israel or would align the USA against Israel in the aforementioned Arenas.