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More than 9 million people have their identity stolen every year. Crooks want your personal information so they can impersonate you and charge your credit card without your knowledge.
I believe there is some thievery going on in the church and we are going to expose it and do self-checking to see if we are or have become a victim of identity thief.
We all are familiar with John 10:10 “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.”
The word “thief” comes from the Greek word “klepto” which means to steal. It gives a picture of a bandit, pickpocket, or thief who is so artful in the way he steals that his exploits of thievery are nearly undetectable.
Satan wants to steal your identity and give you a false one. The devil will try to steal your identity by planting lying thoughts in your mind about who you are.
I read just recently that there are about 60,000 thoughts that go through our minds a day of which about 56,400 are about our own needs, wants and concerns. That my friend is what the devil plays on. We struggle with thoughts such as, if you really a child of God why are you struggling financially, why are you sick, why did you go through that divorce, why is that child you raised in church on drugs. Those thoughts sound familiar? He wants you to bite on the lie and believe something that’s not true. His initial approach is to destroy you from the inside out by the subtle chipping away at your internal self-worth residing in your God-given identity. That identity is found by the fact that you undeniably know who you are because you know who God is. Once you began to know Whose you are you will began to know who you are and then you will be able to live the abundant life only found in God.
Your identity comes from what you believe about yourself, even if it’s a lie.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6::10
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28(NKJV)
Don’t quit reading until you have finished the entire article or you will miss the point. Remember that God is sovereign, and He has everything under control. Whatever happens to you is under His control. No matter whether it is good or bad whatever happens to you is His will. After all He said He would not put more on you than you can stand.
Regardless of what He does or allows, it is His will for you. Buck up. If you are sick, injured, or heart broken God is just teaching you something you need to know. Just accept whatever comes, it is meant for good. Things like family members being killed is just God using it to get someone else saved. As it says above “all things work together for good.” God is more interested in getting you to heaven. It isn’t important what happens to you here.
Job said, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Paul told us to “give thanks because whatever is happening to us is God’s will.” God wants to make sure we stay humble. We are not worthy to expect anything from God if we don’t keep the law and work hard. God said we are known by our works.
I could go on but let me ask. Are you sick of this yet? If you aren’t, you haven’t been listening much since you have been attending New Life. Everything I have implied in this article is unscriptural and twisted. Did you feel a knot in your stomach as you read? The sad part is that millions of Christians hear this every week from the pulpit of their church. They are good people that love God and want to serve Him. Most of their pastors are good men that love God and want to serve Him. The problem is a lack of Biblical understanding. The Word says, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge…” Hosea 4:6
The most important thing a church can do for its people is to teach them to “rightly divide” the word of truth. We don’t need to live by our opinions but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
God’s love is kind. God’s love is forgiving. God’s love is forever. Love never fails. (Pastor’s paraphrase of I Cor. 13:4)
We have just finished 24 glorious hours of Kid’s Camp at New Life. About 50 campers and workers “ministered” to one another in the power of God’s love. That was the theme for the camp. They all shared together in finding the “treasure of His love” on our trip to Son-shine Island where the “pearl of great price” was uncovered.
There were songs, games, Bible lessons, food, and fun. We want to thank everyone who helped make this (to quote some campers) “one of the best camps we have ever had.” Thank you, parents, for sending your children. Thank you, grandparents, for bringing some of them. THANK YOU, WORKERS, FOR YOUR ENERGY AND LABOR OF LOVE SO WE COULD DO THIS!
Many hours went into preparing for the camp. Lots of cleaning, fixing, painting, and other preparations were put in even before camp started. Once it started it was nonstop until the end. There were a few hours of sleep but every waking minute everyone there was doing something to make things a big success.
Today is our finale and the kids are excited about the opportunity to share what they have done and learned. From the youngest to the oldest they each will take away something that they will never forget. They may not remember the date and time but will always remember that God loves them no matter what.
We ask you to help make sure “your kids” will continue in an atmosphere that will encourage their spiritual growth. The things of the world are not interested in your children’s future, but God is. You should be also. Thank you for trusting us with your precious little one. We hope we returned them in better shape than ever. God’s blessings rest upon you. Amen.
Gods wants to give you a fresh drink today!
If you have been baptized in the Holy Ghost your initial infilling was the first drink of many.
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:18…be filled with the Spirit. Bible commentators point out that the Greek present imperative tense is used in this verse. It has the implication meaning of a continuous replenishment, an ongoing and repeated filling. A accurate translation would be something like:“…go on being filled.”
In Acts 2:4, it says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” But then again in Acts 4:31, it says of many of the same believers,“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Sounds like a Ephesians 5:18 experience— they received another filling, a replenishment, another drink.
What is the condition for this repeat filling in Acts 4:31?
Acts 4:24, 29-31 When they heard this, they raised their voices together inprayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
We can see that the refilling came as they prayed to God for more— (1) bold preaching … (2) healings … (3) miraculous signs and wonders — all in the Name of Jesus. If they had been content to rest in their initial, Acts 2:4 Holy Spirit anointing, they would not have asked, they would not have received —“Ye have not because ye ask not” (James 4:2).
Jesus spokeinJohn14:12of believersdoingthe “works that He did” and even “greater works.” We need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and a …go on begin filled experience to be able to accomplish this.
How do you find yourself today? Do you find yourself somewhere between your own personal Acts 2 and Acts 4? Have you continually been filled since you first received the Holy Ghost? Do you need a fresh drink,a replenishment today?
John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit….
From Pastor: When Things Get Out of Control!
“For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.” I Kings 13:9 (NKJV)
You may not be familiar with the story surrounding this verse of scripture. It happened when a prophet from Judah came to Bethel by the word of the Lord and spoke a word against the altar and King Jeroboam pointed his hand at the prophet saying “arrest him” and his hand withered. The King pleaded with the prophet to pray for restoration of his hand. He prayed and it was restored. The King was so impressed that he offered the prophet a reward but his response was the verse above.
The prophet was determined to obey the Lord by refusing the King’s offer of a reward. An old prophet heard about what happened and went to find the prophet. When he found him he invited him to his house. The prophet (who is never named) told him the same thing he told the King above. The old prophet used his “seniority” on the younger prophet saying, “I hear from God too and He told me you were to go with me,” but he lied to him. The prophet listened and, ignoring his word from the Lord, went with him. Afterward, the Lord spoke to the un-named prophet through the old prophet that he would die before he got back home. He was killed by a lion on the way home and buried in a foreign land.
What a messed up story. Such power of God demonstrated. Such prophetic accuracy was given. But, such deceit and lying by a “man of God” and such disobedience by another “man of God.” Personal desire by one man of God lead to wickedness and the death of another man of God. These events encouraged King Jeroboam to overlook his experience with the prophet and continue his evil ways. This is what happens when things get out of control. “Let all things be do decently and in order.” I Cor. 14:40(NKJV)
Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Proverbs 4:25-26
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus-fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:2
Shirley, there is power in balance. Those were the words I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart several months ago. Thinking about those words over and over again I began to get a little understanding of what God was trying to show me.
Balance means, “keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall. A mental steadiness or emotional stability, a habit of calm behavior, judgment etc.
The enemy of ours souls does like for us to have balance in anything. Even he knows there is power in balance. He is the author of confusion and if he can get us to go to one extreme or another, we will never walk in the power of an overcoming life that has been made available to us. If we are not continually lead by the Holy Spirit and have the truth of the word revealed to us we will have a tendency go to one extreme or another. How do we maintain balance-by keeping our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith-Jesus!!
There are two words in the Bible that throws people off balance-grace and faith. If you do not ask for the eyes of your understanding to be enlightened and receive the message of grace and faith you will continually walk a life out of balance. Especially if you were raised in a traditional denominational church. We don’t have to work for what has freely been given and grace does not give us a ticket to live our lives anyway we choose.
The word gracemeans unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor. Hallelujah, grace has nothing to do with us, grace is God’s part. So if grace is God’s part what is our part-faith. We respond to God by faith to what He has already provided for us by grace. When we get a revelation of how faith and grace work together there is a balance that takes place in our lives and that balance brings power to live an overcoming life.
Remember one definition of balance, “a mental steadiness or emotional stability, a habit of calm behavior, judgment etc. Power means, “the ability to do something or act in a particular way.” How does getting a revelation of grace and faith cause one to maintain balance and walk in power.
Today’s message: There is Power in the Balance of Grace and Faith.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…Ephesians 2:8-9
“Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Hebrews 11:36-40(NKJV)
This weekend we are celebrating the Independence of the USA. Parties, fireworks, picnics, and parades are symbols of that freedom. I am afraid we take it too lightly as we do the heritage of our Christian faith. We fail to remember what our forefathers suffered to make sure we have the blessing of freedom we have today. Today is a day of pleasure seeking and me, me, me. It is a matter of what I want, what will benefit me, and getting what “I deserve” that motivates many people (maybe most people).
As I have been reading and studying the sacrifices made by early Christians and their treatment at the hands of anti-christian leaders and society I have wondered if most Christians today (especially in America) could hold a candle to our godly ancestors. Thousands of them gave their lives for a Faith they believed in and many more for the birth of the nation whose motto is “In God we trust.”
Today many people give up their “faith” if they are ridiculed or just talked about, or don’t get their way when things are done. Our Christian forefathers gave up their lives by the thousands just for saying “I am a Christian.” The inhuman torture they endured, without so much as a word or tear, could not sway their faith in God and their death was considered a victory over the “crooked serpent.” I asked myself the question “Could I die with that much trust and ignore the afflictions involved?” Could you?
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” I Thes. 2:13(NKJV)
The word of God tells us that we are soil and His Word is seed. Seed is sowed into the soil and the soil then receives the seed and depending on the condition of the soil produces a crop. The only problem with this is that our “enemy” is also sowing “tares.” Furthermore, tares are sometimes hard to tell from good “seed.” They can only be told apart as they mature.
God’s Word is always dependable and will produce the right crop as it matures in our lives. “Seed” from another source is to be carefully examined and compared to the true word of God. It can’t just be “close” it must be “exact.” The Bible says “the truth will make you free.” The true Word will liberate you from everything including sin and religious traditions. Religious bondage can be worse than the bondage of sin. The reason being is that we can see what sin is doing to us but we cannot see the negative effects of incorrect doctrine and legalism because they are disguised as God’s will for us.
Living by the correct word will lift the burden we cannot carry. Remember Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” The grace of God does not free us to sin; it frees us from sin. Sin no longer has dominion over us. We are not pondering the thought, “under grace it doesn’t matter what I do it is forgiven.” We understand that “we are raised above the corruption of the world” because it is not our nature to follow a sinful path.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2(NKJV)
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” II Cor. 9:7 (NKJV)
This verse is hilarious. The context suggests overwhelming delight and joy about making a decision to do something. When was the last time you were “hilarious” about giving? You felt an excitement within you that made you laugh with joy and bubble with enthusiasm that was almost uncontrollable. Does this seem unusual to you to feel this way? The word cheerful literally means “a spirit of enjoyment in giving that sweeps away all restraints.” The Greek word “hilaros” is translated into our word “hilarious.”
When you sow garden seed, how do you feel about it? You get tired, spend time and effort, and it costs you money. But, do you grumble, complain, and fret or do you look forward to the harvest you will receive in time? You never sow seed in a garden without believing there will be positive results. No one sows seed while they think they are wasting their time.
The Bible says in I Cor. 3:9 that we are God’s fellow workers and “God’s field.” Our effort to advance the Kingdom of God is like preparing a field and then planting good seed to produce a harvest. No matter what else we may do as “extra curricular activity” the only thing that will bring forth fruit is sowing seed. This sowing comes in the form of money, time, talents, energy, prayer, communication, effort, ideas, and other activities.
It is not the duty of someone else to do the sowing. It is our duty. All of us are called to give of what we “have” and not what we “have to spare.” The whole family of believers will eat of the Kingdom “harvest” as it comes to maturity. Are you a seed sower or a freeloader? Paul told the Thessalonians in II Thes. 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” This is a spiritual principle that holds true in the eyes of God. If you do not enjoy sowing the seed, you will not receive the joy of the harvest.
Are you expecting to hear from God? Are you expecting miracles? Are you inviting people to come and see what God will do for them? We get lots of prayer request from people. Have you invited any of them to come? They just might receive their miracle.
The best way to advertize a meeting is to personally invite and even offer to bring someone to church. If you are not excited and eagerly anticipating these services, what do you expect to receive?
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and night and day shall not cease.” Gen. 8:22 (NKJV)
This is a rather definite statement about the security of earth’s conditions. Things change with the times but God’s promise is that life will continue on earth. In days of uncertainty when “naysayers” speak of gloom and doom it is good to remember that God is in control.
It is our responsibility to be good stewards of all that God has given us. Mankind should never be wasteful or greedy about the natural resources we have on this planet. Everything we have was given to us by God. The rules of life were set by Him for good reason.
Everything works better when you follow directions in the operational manual included with the product. That is true about life and our operational manual is the Word of God. One cannot go wrong when they do it “by the Book.” Freelancing life can cause all kinds of problems. Man creates many of his own problems because he will not play by the rules.
What if basketball rules were made by all school individually? Playing other teams would be chaos. Nobody would know what was happening or who won the game. Life is that way. Too often we use our own set of rules to live by. Others use their own set of rules and there is conflict. If we all were to use God’s original rules for life it could be heaven on earth.
Part of God’s plan for life is sowing and reaping. We will be looking at the message given by “seedtime and harvest” as we try to understand how our lives are dramatically affected by our practice of this principle.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” II Cor. 10:4(NKJV)
There is no doubt that we are all soldiers doing battle in a hostile world. We are not at war with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers of the air. As occupational forces it is our duty to control and do business for the King.
There is no unconquered territory there are no undefeated foes but there is still pockets of resistance that refuse to recognize the Lordship of Jesus. Their battlefield is the mind and they build strongholds from which they attack us and the things around us.
These strongholds are built within the process of human thinking. Think about this. If every human being were in their right mind (thinking right) all human struggle would be done away with. Man and God would be at perfect peace and it would be like heaven on earth. That is called “having the mind of Christ.”
The only thing between us and “perfect peace” is the way we think. Scripture says, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on you.” Have you lost your mind? Is it running wild with ungodly thoughts? I am not talking about immoral thoughts but ungodly ones. Ungodly thoughts are any thought that disagrees with the Word of God. Fear is an ungodly thought. Envy is an ungodly thought. Worry is an ungodly thought. Defeat and failure are ungodly thoughts. Are you getting the picture? Anything that doesn’t conform to God’s way of thinking is ungodly. Ungodly thinking gets you into serious problems but there is hope.
“”And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom. 12:2
“Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” I Kings 18:41(NKJV)
Three years of drought. Limited amount of supplies. Turmoil in the land. Conflict between the natural and the spiritual. Israel was not in the best of conditions. The people were on edge and daily life was being affected. There was a struggle between God and Baal. The people were double-minded about the real God. Therefore, they were unstable in all their ways.
The prophet Elijah had declared a drought three years earlier but now he is declaring that it is time for rain to fall on the country. We here at New Life are in our third year since I went down from the enemy’s blows. We have recovered and now it is time for the shout, “I hear the sound of abundance.”
God is not in a “drought.” He isn’t having trouble finding the things necessary to supply our needs and He hasn’t weakened either. I declare, “IT IS GOING TO RAIN ON NEW LIFE,” and abundance comes, NOW! We do not need to worry about how, that is God’s business. There are two things we can do on our part to see God move. One is to believe God without doubt and two is that we are faithful with what we each have. The summation is to be faithful to give and believe God to supply.
I am putting out the challenge today for us to rise up and see the strength of the Lord. God does not ask us to do it all. He only asks us to do our part. Our part may be a dollar, a thousand dollars, or ten thousand dollars. Everything we have belongs to God anyway.
I am not willing to see the lack of a dollar shut down our ministry. Yes, “our” ministry. We are all in this together. We will fail or succeed together. AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE WILL SUCCEED!! Do you believe this? Then I challenge you to rise up in faith and do your part.
For the wind of My Spirit is blowing anew. You have entered into a new season. You have heard it said, “new levels, new devils and is it true that I have given you power over all power of the enemy. Yes it would be. For even in the days ahead you will need to know that when I give a promise I provide the way for it to be fulfilled. So rest assured when I speak that settles it. You have heard the saying, you can take it to the bank, so just as I own the cattle on thousand hills I own the bank where My Word is deposited. So why would I not watch over my Word to make sure it is performed. So when you go to withdraw I have given my seal of approval which is my Name and you can write a check on me and it will never be turned away. Only believe and doubt not that it is good and are given to those who are willing to cash in on them. So there you have it, it is yours. Now is your time to step into the overflow of what I am giving in this time.
I am concerned that we get caught between the time of living in the yesterday and time of someday. We have those who say if only it could be like yesterday, if I had it to do over again or those who say, just hold on it will be better someday. In the process of time the someday never comes because we get caught in those two times and miss out on what is happening now.
I come with a word today to tell you that “Now” is the best time of your life. God wants you to seize the opportunity of “Now Faith”. It’s time for us to stop holding on to yesterday and hoping it will be better tomorrow. It’s time for Now Faith to forget those things that are behind, and reach forth unto those things that are before and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. It’s time for Now Faith that’s rooted and grounded in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It’s time for a Now Faith that understands and believes all the promises of God are yes and in Him amen unto the glory of God by us. Now Faith that says let’s forget what happened yesterday, and it is the same Now Faith that says don’t worry about tomorrow, I will cash in on what I know God is saying Now. I have His seal of approval, the Name of Jesus. The Name that is above every name of death, sickness, disease, poverty, doubt. Need I go on. Say “Amen” somebody! Go ahead and dance and shout yourself happy only you know what God has done for you!!
“He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children.” Psalm 113:9(NKJV)
It may not appear to be true but the most respected person in an individual’s life is mother. Even “less than perfect” mothers have a place in children’s hearts. It is even easier to bond with a “bad” mother than with a “bad” father. Mothers are the one that nurtured the offspring, and this alone creates a tie that is not easily broken.
Watch any sport on television and you will see what I mean. These big and manly athletes, hero of adults and kids alike, are panned by the cameras during the events. Do they acknowledge the men that inspired them to achieve their status? Do they yell “you ‘da man”, honor their coaches, or wave at dad? No! It is nearly always “Hi, mom.”
Mothers have an effect on their children that no one can replace. The mother figure sets the tone of life for everyone. It is best when that figure is a “good” birth mother. Children usually live a life that is patterned by what they see in their parents. That is why it is important to be good parents. Father figures are important, but mother figures keep bonds much stronger.
Parents need to learn how to be good parents. Most children will follow their pattern for their own life. Thank God that all things are possible and things can change. Good parents can have wayward children and it may not be their fault. Bad parents can have good kids and that is great. Remember, our lives affect not only us but a multitude of others. Our choices will have a great influence on others. Make the right ones.
A Son’s Tribute to His Mother
Mother, you bore me into life,
Which can be good or filled with strife.
You really helped me find the way,
Your love and grace helped me not to stray.
You loved me and you loved dad,
It was the best family I could have had.
If you were here I would have to say,
“Mom, you made me what I am today.”
Love, Jerry. May 11, 2014
“He who believes in me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Jn. 7:38(NKJV)
God is speaking to us here at New Life. One of the messages is about overflowing with the fullness of Jesus into the world. Jesus said believers will overflow from the heart. We believe God has given us a vision to be fulfilled by our church in the community surrounding us. We want to become so full of Jesus that we overflow outside our walls for the world to see. Get ready for our camp meeting JUNE 20-22!
Friday night through Sunday night we will have four power packed services featuring singing and preaching from anointed men and women of God. Each service will inspire and challenge you to OVERFLOW.
Friday night Dr Jim and Connie Childs will minister the word to us through preaching, teaching, and prophetic word. You know their ministry and connection to our church. Make plans now to come and be blessed.
Saturday night will be a powerful night of singing and preaching as we are joined by Rev. Joe Payne and the Eunice Church of God. These folks love the Lord and their excitement about serving Him will overflow to you. Don’t miss it.
Before the service at 5 o’clock there will be a fellowship meal for all our church family and or visiting friends. This will be a pitch-in dinner with good food.
Sunday morning we are blessed again to the ministry of Jim and Connie Childs plus whatever other ministries add to the service from their overflow.
Sunday night will close our camp meeting but not the overflow. We are excited to have Bro. Richard and Bonita Pierce back with us for the service. The Pierces spent over 20 years as part of New Life. Hopefully some of their family will be here that weekend. It will be a homecoming with our “spiritual kids, grand-kids, and great-grand-kids.”
The only way this weekend will bless you is for you to be here for the services. Attend, spread the word, and invite friends and family. You will be blessed and so will they. Watch for more information about this event and pass it on!
From Pastor: “A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH”
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk. 16:15-18
If you call yourself a “New Testament Church,” you should be doing all of the above otherwise you are not a New Testament Church. It is unmistakable that the first Christians were Pentecostals. But, they were called “Christians” not “Pentecostals.” Check it out in Acts chapter two. No matter what denominations claim, Pentecostals were the first. There are dozens of Pentecostal groups today, and their doctrines are widely varied. Man has added many things to Pentecostalism since New Testament times, thus polluting the true meaning of the term and diluting the power of the Gospel message.
“The signs accredit the gospel message, and cannot be limited to the apostolic age any more than the Lord’s commission to carry the gospel throughout the world. The signs, therefore, confirm the ministries of Christ’s ambassadors in every generation.” (Footnotes in the Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1502)
There are many “opinions” concerning the signs mentioned but there is a “truth” concerning them that can only come by sincere impartial study of the Scriptures and a humility that leads to guidance by the Holy Spirit. It is not our job to make the Scripture support what we believe but rather to make sure our beliefs are true to Scripture.
There is ample evidence throughout church history to prove that signs and wonders have continued since New Testament times. Those who believe see the signs following them. Those who choose to believe not have no signs to see. There have always been more doubters than believers. That is why Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” I can truly call myself Christian, I can truly call myself New Testament, I can truly call myself Pentecostal, and I have Biblical proof for it all. That is what I believe and that is what I preach and teach. The message I preach is to proclaim all of the Scriptures as still true and at work today. Why would I want to preach against the very things on which Christianity was founded?
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:7-10(NKJV)
“Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say to him, ‘What are you doing?” Eccl. 8:4(NKJV)
There is no doubt that the presence of a King creates an atmosphere unlike that of any other dignitary. The above verses of Scripture point this out. There is reason to rejoice in His presence and feel secure. The King represents power and authority needed to create a place of safety.
We in this country know very little about kings and royalty. Most of what we know is negative because of our knowledge of King George of England. We revolted against his rule and went to war to be free. We seem to have a low opinion of monarchs and do not care to be bothered by them.
But, to those who understand royalty and kingship the view is different. A king rules in his kingdom. The word kingdom even means a place where a king reigns. He is the ultimate word of authority. What he says goes. He does not control everything that happens in the kingdom but he holds the power to deal with any situation that arises.
Are you familiar with the terms “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Kingdom of God?” Jesus told Pilate that He was a king but His Kingdom was not of this earth. The thief asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. Jesus told His disciples to pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It started that way and it will end that way. It seems that most people do not like to be told what they can and cannot do. We need to get over it. The very best place one can be is under the authority of a benevolent King. That kind of king takes care of his people. Jesus is that kind of king!! Earthly kings are only human but Jesus “divinely human.” He makes no mistakes and rules justly.
“I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” I Tim. 6:13-15(NKJV)
There are a lot of Scriptures that express the greatness of the authority God manifested through Jesus Christ. The one above is as straight to the point as any. In it Paul makes it clear that He is the one and only Potentate (Sovereign), King of kings and Lord of lords. No matter which term one uses it is abundantly clear that God in Christ Jesus is the final authority.
In an attempt to express this point man has presented God as sovereign. However, man’s definition of “sovereign” in reference to Him has clouded theology in this area. Flawed theology has interpreted sovereign as meaning that God is the source of all earthly happenings, good, bad, and otherwise. Using this theology, God either causes or allows everything that happens.
To be true to the definition, the word sovereign means one having final authority over all other authority. In a “kingdom” the “king” is the highest authority and power there is. The king is in control of his country. He has authority over all his subjects. But, he is not responsible for their actions. If a citizen kills another citizen, it isn’t because the king made it happen. However, the king has authority to deal with the situation because he has the last word. We need to stop blaming God for causing things and give Him the opportunity to do something about it. He said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.”
If God is “sovereign” meaning He is responsible for everything that happens, it means that everything that happens is His will. If that is the case, then why were His disciples told to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Truth is truth as long as it is understood correctly. His word is Truth.
“…let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.
Looking away (from all that will distract) to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith (giving the first incentive for our belief) and is also its Finisher (bringing it to maturity and perfection). He, for the joy (of obtaining the prize) that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself (reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials), so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. “
Hebrews 12:1-3
Who are you looking at? Who is looking at you?
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.” Heb. 12:1(NKJV)
Wow! What a challenge this verse lays out for us. There are several ideas we can get as we meditate on the verse. Who are the witnesses and what are they witnessing? Are they witnesses telling us their experiences or are they witnesses watching and listening to us as we meet our experiences?
I know the context implies the people of the “faith” chapter are witnessing to us about the grace and power of God. This is in line with the subject. However, it is not being unfaithful to the text by looking at it from another point of view. Envision this concept. The witnesses are those people who surround us watching as we live our “Christian Life.”
As we consider the godly witnesses of Hebrews 11 and use them as examples, there are many witnesses watching us. How are we doing in our race? What example are we setting? Are we prepared and in condition for the race?
“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2(NKJV)
The Greek word aphorao(looking) signifies undivided attention, looking away from all distractions in order to fix one’s gaze on one object. Here it means having eyes for no one but Jesus. If we keep our eyes on Him, the people whose eyes are on us will see a clearer view of what the life of Christ is all about. What do witnesses see in you?
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