WHY DO CHRISTIANS FIGHT SO MUCH?

JOHN 13:34-35 NKJ
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Instead of being known for love, Christians are more likely to be known for disagreements and fighting with other Christians.

Why?

Those who fight are displaying their immaturity. Children can be expected to squabble over insignificant things, but adults should not.

Yet even Christian leaders often fight with other Christian leaders.

It is the devil's strategy to get believers in strife because it opens the door to him. Do you really want to open the door to the devil?

JAMES 3:16 KJV
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

God allows us to face the temptation of strife so we can overcome and learn to walk in love. We are continually given the opportunity to walk in love.

God's primary concern now is preparing us to inhabit eternity with Him. His plan is to make us like Jesus (Romans 8:29). To become like Jesus, we must learn to resist the temptation to not walk in love.

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will walk in love. I refuse to fight and be in strife with other Christians.

RESOLVE TO STAND OUT

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way" (Daniel 1:8, NIV).

The people of Judah were led into exile in captivity because of their disobedience to God. The temple of God and the city of Jerusalem ? the prides of Israel ? were destroyed. The self-esteem of the people was dented. They were no longer a nation free of external forces. In fact, they were now captives in a foreign land. They could not worship their God in the way they preferred, and their children were now slaves that were serving their captors.

In spite of these predicaments, Daniel and his colleagues resolved to distinguish themselves in that foreign land in not defiling themselves with things that seemed ordinary but that could make them be far from their God.

These four Jewish young men were not like many people today that are ready to do anything that is in vogue. They resolved to stand out, and God rewarded them with prestige and position of authority in that land of captivity.

Are you also ready to resolve to stand out in this depraved world? The Bible says, "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong" (Exodus 23:2, NIV). Resolve to stand out for God in refusing to do even those seeming good things but that can tarnish the image of God in you. Joshua told the people of Israel, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15, NIV).

Resolve to stand out for God!

Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi

A Completed Sacrifice

"And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering: and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him." (Leviticus 1:4)

If by that laying on of his hand the bullock became the offerer's sacrifice, how much more shall Jesus become ours by the laying on of the hand of faith? If a bullock could be accepted for him to make atonement for him, how much more shall the LORD Jesus be our full and all-sufficient propitiation?

Some may argue with the great truth of substitution; but as for us, it is our hope, our joy, our boast, our all. Jesus is accepted for us to make atonement for us, and we are "accepted in the Beloved." Today, lay your hand on the LORD's completed sacrifice, that by accepting it you may obtain the benefit of it. If you have done it before, do it again. If you have never done so, put out your hand now. Jesus is yours now if you will have Him. Lean on Him -- lean hard on Him -- and He is yours without a doubt; you are reconciled to God, your sins are blotted out, and you are the LORD's.

ON PRAYER

"Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbor on our knees." Charles Brent

CONSIDER

"You will invest your life in something, or you will throw it away on nothing." Haddon Robinson

THE OVERCOMER

"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7b) No man may turn his back in the day of battle or refuse to go to the holy war. We must fight if we would reign, and we must carry on the warfare till we overcome every enemy, or else this promise is not for us, since it is only for "him that overcometh." We are to overcome the false prophets who have come into the world and all the evils which accompany their teaching. We are to overcome our own faintness of heart and tendency to decline from our first love. Read the whole of the Spirit's word to the church at Ephesus. If by grace we win the day, as we shall if we truly follow our conquering Leader, then we shall be admitted to the very center of the paradise of God and shall be permitted to pass by the cherub and his flaming sword and come to that guarded tree, whereof if a man eat, he shall live forever. We shall thus escape that endless death which is the doom of sin and gain that everlasting life which is the seal of innocence, the outgrowth of immortal principles of Godlike holiness. Come, my heart, pluck up courage! To flee the conflict will be to lose the joys of the new and better Eden; to fight unto victory is to walk with God in paradise. Quick Links... Visit my BLOG Download and sell digital music Purchase your favorite Christian books here! Web Tools

GODLINESS AND CONTENTMENT

Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Read: Philippians 4:10-20

My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

When asked. "How are you?" a custodian would always reply, "I'm blessed!" One day he explained the reason for his answer: "God takes care of me whether I'm having a good day or a bad day. Either way, He made sure I have a job, enough to eat, and enough to live on. Either way, He loves me. So no matter what's going on, I am blessed."
That custodian understood the insight from our verses today. We saw yesterday that Scripture defines "great gain" as having godliness and contentment. Today we see the spiritual secret to being content.

The apostle Paul was writing to the believers in Philippi from prison. In this section, often thanking them for their gifts to him, he declares that despite his difficult circumstances he is content. Note that contentment is necessary whether we have much or whether we have little (v. 12). Either situation can breed a lack of contentment. The secret is to recognize that we live in God's strength and through His grace (v. 13). If we have much, it is from Him. If we have little, He will provide. Living with a focus on God allows us to find the great gain of contentment.

Next, Paul turns to the matter of the gifts from the Philippians. They had a pattern of generosity for the Lord's work, sending financial support to other churches in need as well as supporting Paul financially. Certainly, God used the gifts of the Philippians to provide for Paul, but notice what he says the true blessing is. He doesn't identify his own financial situation as the blessing, but rather that God blesses the sacrificial giving of the Philippians by meeting their needs.

This verse has been twisted by some to mean that if you put a $10 bill in the offering plate, God will give you $100 down the road. God is not the stock market; His dividends are far more valuable than just more cash. He supplies our needs, blessing us through the riches that we have in Christ.

Moody Bible Institute - Today In The Word

THE AWAKENING!!

A time comes in your life when you finally get it....when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for someone to change....or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon.
You come to terms with the fact that neither of you is Prince Charming or Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you....and in the process of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone Will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK.
They are entitled to their own views and opinions. And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself....and in the process, a sense of newfound confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean, or mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself....and in the process, a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties...and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with....and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life. You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK....and that it is your right to want things to ask for the thing you want...and that sometimes it's necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward it to make it happen. More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone...and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens, you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening

And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state, the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, and a soft warm bed, a long hot shower

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.

And you hang a wind chime outside your window so that you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with the courage in your heart and God by your side, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.

Christian Liberality

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble." (Psalm 41:1)

To think about the poor and let them lie on our hearts is a Christian man's duty; for Jesus put them with us and near us when He said, "The poor ye have always with you." Many give their money to the poor in a hurry, without thought; and many more give nothing at all. This precious promise belongs to those who "consider" the poor, look into their case, devise plans for their benefit, and considerately carry them out. We can do more by care than by cash, and most with two together.

To those who consider the poor, the LORD promises His own consideration in times of distress. He will bring us out of trouble if we help others when they are in trouble. We shall receive very singular providential help if the LORD sees that we try to provide for others. We shall have a time of trouble, however generous we may be; but if we are charitable, we may put in a claim for peculiar deliverance, and the LORD will not deny His own word and bond. Miserly curmudgeons may help themselves, but considerate and generous believers the LORD will help. As you have done unto others, so will the LORD do unto you. Empty your pockets.

Christ and His Children

"When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed" (Isaiah 53:10).

Our LORD Jesus has not died in vain. His death was sacrificial: He died as our substitute, because death was the penalty of our sins. Because His substitution was accepted of God, He has saved those for whom He made His soul a sacrifice. By death He became like the corn of wheat which bringeth forth much fruit. There must be a succession of children unto Jesus; He is "the Father of the everlasting age." He shall say, "Behold, I and the children whom Thou hast given me."

A man is honored in his sons, and Jesus hath His quiver full of these arrows of the mighty. A man is represented in his children, and so is the Christ in Christians. In his seed a man's life seems to be prolonged and extended; and so is the life of Jesus continued in believers.

Jesus lives, for He sees His seed. He fixes His eye on us, He delights in us, He recognizes us as the fruit of His soul travail. Let us be glad that our LORD does not fail to enjoy the result of His dread sacrifice, and that He will never cease to feast His eyes upon the harvest of His death. Those eyes which once wept for us are now viewing us with pleasure. Yes, He looks upon those who are looking unto Him. Our eyes meet! What a joy is this!

To Whom Belongest Thou?

"To whom belongest thou?" 1 Samuel 30:13

No neutralities can exist in religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight His battles, or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. "To whom belongest thou?" Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have you been "born again"? If you have, you belong to Christ, but without the new birth you cannot be His. In whom do you trust? For those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God. Whose work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby owned to be your lord. What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the livery of the cross. "Birds of a feather flock together." What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly? What have you learned of your Master?--for servants learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, "They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." We press the question, "To whom belongest thou?" Answer honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If you are not Christ's you are in a hard service--Run away from your cruel master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness. If you are Christ's let me advise you to do four things. You belong to Jesus--obey him; let his word be your law; let His wish be your will. You belong to the Beloved, then love Him; let your heart embrace Him; let your whole soul be filled with Him. You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King of kings, then be decided for Him. Thus, without your being branded upon the brow, all will know to whom you belong.

Reasons Why People Leave the Church

Survey: Reasons Why People Leave the Church
Why do people leave the church? A new study by LifeWay Research found reasons, some inevitable, why some people stopped attending church.
Sun, Oct. 15, 2006 Posted: 11:40:40 AM EST

Why do people leave the church? A new study by LifeWay Research found reasons, some inevitable, why some people stopped attending church.

Labeled as the "formerly churched," 59 percent of those who left the church did so because of "changes in life situation." This was the dominant reason found in the survey conducted to better understand why people leave the church.

More specifically, LifeWay Research Director Brad Waggoner pointed out two life-situation reasons why adults stop attending church. According to the study, 19 percent of the formerly churched "simply got too busy to attend church," and 17 percent said "family/home responsibilities prevented church attendance."

Other reasons explained were moving too far from the church, work situation and divorce or separation.

Another common reason adults leave the church is "disenchantment with pastor/church." The study reported 37 percent of adults cited this as a reason for no longer attending. Some of the factors contributing to disenchantment included the behavior of church members. LifeWay reported that 17 percent said church members "seemed hypocritical" and "were judgmental of others," and 12 percent said "the church was run by a clique that discouraged involvement."

"While some may use disenchantment issues as a smokescreen to hide behind, the large percent of the formerly churched who struggle with disenchantment deserve some honest attention," Waggoner commented, according to LifeWay.

Still, 80 percent of the formerly churched do not have a strong belief in God, which the study indicated may account for their higher priorities of work and family over church. Also, among the top 10 reasons adults leave the church, only two were related to spiritual causes, the report highlighted, with 14 percent saying the church was not helping them develop spiritually and another 14 percent saying they stopped believing in organized religion.

The church, however, may have prevented some losses if it showed more care, stated the study.

"The responsibility and influence of the church varies across the different reasons for withdrawal," said Waggoner. "One clear influence is the expectations that churches have of attendees as they come into the life of the church."

He went further to explain that many churches are afraid of asking too much of the churchgoers, fearing they would leave.

Yet the study suggested for more discipleship and commitment from church attendants along with a greater show of care. The study found that 16 percent of those who left the church said nobody contacted them after they left and another 16 percent said nobody seemed to care that they left.

"In the end, it?s important for church leaders to not only assume responsibility for those who seek to join their churches, but also for those who attempt to leave," said Waggoner. "Be vigilant at both the front door and the back door of the church."

Other study findings showed that 24 percent consider themselves "spiritual, but not religious;" 42 percent said they are "Christian, but not particularly devout;" 19 percent said they are "a devout Christian with a strong belief in God;" 10 percent confessed to wavering on Christianity; and 6 percent said they were wavering on belief in God.

LifeWay Research launched four new projects this fall to include churches and ministries beyond the Southern Baptists and results are expected through December of this year. A second part of the study on the formerly churched will be released next week to find how churches can win back those who left. This study was conducted on 469 adults who regularly attended a Protestant church as an adult in the past but stopped doing so.

Nathan Black
Christian Post Reporter

Copyright 2006 Christianpost.com. All rights reserved.

Imagine Me

THE BIBLE EXPERIENCE

You MUST own this!

Get Your Own Voice PlayerManage

Newsboys - He Reigns

Be Blessed!

Give The Gospel

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16

Good News--this is the "power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16)! Good news--this is the story about Jesus. Good news--this is what men are to preach. Good news is what people need to hear and will listen to when preached. Good news is what Christians are to rejoice in and to share with the world. Oh, that all Christians entered into the joy of their salvation and the wonderful joy of passing on this good news to others.

To be specific, what is the "gospel," this good news about Christ? Simply put in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, it is "how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." The good news one needs to hear is that someone loved him and has already paid the penalty of his sins. The essential essence of the gospel is that "Christ also hath once suffered for sins" (1 Peter 3:18), "Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8), "Christ died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3). Paul said that "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18). The cross, the suffering, the shedding of Christ's blood, the death as pictured by all the animal sacrifices must be presented for people to hear the good news. The proof, the seal, the glory of this whole story is "that he rose again" (1 Cor. 15:4). Discover how the apostles emphasized this (Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 4:10).

If you wanted to convince a Christian of the need of separation you would not just tack on a verse about separation to a message on some other subject and expect people to respond. But this is about all the gospel that is included in many sermons and tracts or in much personal witness. Notice carefully, it is almost mentioned, but alas, it is omitted or just tacked on in a sentence or a verse. No wonder so few come to Christ.

Not only does the gospel need to be given but given joyfully. How long has it been since you saw someone become excited and preach joyfully this good news. Oh, to break through the barrier of reluctance and cheerfully tell the good news wherever we go.

Who Am I?

Not too long ago, a hurting brother wrote the following post in one of the user groups I belong to. I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit that someone in my readership needs this word today.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I have come to the point in my life where I feel that I?m done, I feel that there's no hope in my life, I feel that I?m alone in this world even though I'm surrounded by family I still feel alone, I feel like no cares for me I know this is not true but it's what I feel, I feel like I have been living a lie, telling people that God loves them, when I feel like he doesn?t even love me. I'm sick of church, I go and it's like the best part of the service is the praise and worship, I need a word from God, praise and worship is awesome but I need more for me, am I being selfish? I don't think I am, I need more than a Wednesday and Sunday God, I need to know that God is with me always, I know the word says he is but I need to know for myself, is there anyone that can help me? I feel like it's over and God is done with me, I feel like my life is over and all I?m waiting for is to die, what am I supposed to be doing? just go to church they say, but that?s my problem I go but I don't receive anything, and I?d like to go to give something but it's like there's no room for me anywhere I go, I'm afraid if I continue in this way that I?m headed for destruction, please I need help I've come to the end of myself, and I?ve just let go' I have casted away all restraints and find myself doing things that I thought I would never do please pray for me I'm afraid if things don't change soon everyone will be hearing about me in the news.

Ready to give up


Dear "Ready",

I have seen countless numbers of Christians in the years of the ministry that God has given me that seem to live below their Spiritual potential. Through personal encounters, e-mails, letters, or phone calls, men and women share their hearts with me about the fact that something is missing in their walk with Christ. I hear questions like; ?Why do I keep failing when I try so hard??; ?Why can't I stop this destructive habit??; ?Is church all there is to the Spiritual life?? These and hundreds of others give me an idea that there are an abundant number of God's people who see themselves as failures. The Word of God says that in order for you and me to move on in Spiritual maturity and overcome destructive tendencies or deadness in our walk for Christ, we must see ourselves as Christ sees us. This list will show you how Christ sees you; IN HIM! Then, after you meditate on them for a while, praise him for showing you afresh what His sacrifice did for you! Check it out and be blessed.

Who Am I?

I am the salt of the earth (Matt.5:13)
I am the light of the world (Matt.5:14)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am a part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:1,5)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16)
I am a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18)
I am enslaved to God (Romans 6:22)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Romans 8:14,15; Gal. 3:26; 4:6)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17)
I am a temple a dwelling place of God. His Spirit and His life dwells in me (1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19)
I am united to the Lord and am one Spirit with Him (1 Cor.6:17)
I am a member of Christ's Body 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph.5:30)
I am a new creature (2 Cor. 5: 17)
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5: 18,19)
I am a son of God and one in Christ ( Gal. 3: 26,28)
I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Gal. 4:6,7)
I am a saint ( Eph. 1:1; 1Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2)
I am God's workmanship-His handiwork-born anew in Christ to do His work (Eph. 2:10)
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family ( Eph.2:19)
I am a prisoner of Christ (Eph. 3:1; 4:1)

We all feel alone at times. When we depend on others to determine our value, then we place ourselves in a position to be disappointed. Go to the Word Of God. He is our only help!

In His Service!
Rev. Frank Coleman aka FroggyZ
Path Of Life Ministries
http://www.pathoflifeministries.net
http://patholife.blogspot.com/

CHOOSE YOUR PATH . . .

A young man went to his father and told him about his life and how things were so hard for him. He didn't know how he was going to make it and wanted to give up. He was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

His father took him to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water. In the first, he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to his son, he asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," came the reply. He brought him closer and asked him to feel the carrots. He did and noted that they had gotten soft. The father then asked him to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, he observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the father asked the son to sip the coffee. The son smiled as he smelled its rich aroma, and then asked, "What's your point?"

His father explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boiling water -- but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" he asked his son. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, or some other trial have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you're like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity?

-Author Unknown

Confessing Christ

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus?and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10

Confession is to be of Jesus as Lord or deity. It is not a vague belief in God, but "confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord" (Rom. 10:9, NASB), for "no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 12:3). When others looked only on the outward appearance of Christ, Peter with discernment from God said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). Upon this confession, Christ said, "I will build my church" (v. 18). With this must be the desire to turn from our sin (repent) and believe in our heart that Christ suffered for our sins and "God hath raised him from the dead" (Rom. 10:9).

"Confess me before men" (Matt. 10:32), said Jesus. This has to be openly, not in secret. As soon as someone has received Christ he should be encouraged to tell another Christian what he has done. A little over a week ago I had the joy of leading a man to Christ in his home. Immediately I asked him to tell his wife what he had done. We went into the kitchen and very clearly he said, "Honey, I just accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I'm saved." They embraced and wept for joy. Now this couple is in a church and he was just going through the motions until he was confronted with his sin and shown that repentance is the first step in salvation. Next and very effective and meaningful is for the new Christian to confess Christ publicly in church. In many evangelical churches such an invitation is given.

The effect this has on the Christian himself is often remarkable. Because of his obedience to do it, he is often deeply moved and blessed emotionally. At this point is when many receive the emotional experience they have sought. The sight of a weeping, yet rejoicing, new Christian can melt a whole congregation. Many are reminded of the day when they were saved. Very vividly it shows God is still saving people. Often it encourages others to make the same decision. Nothing will start fires of revival quicker than seeing people saved and confessing Christ.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth . . ." (Rom. 10:9). "Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:11) is God's ultimate demand. Men have put Christ to open shame with their tongues; now God says with the same tongues they shall openly confess Him. Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise!

Mathias "Spider" Schergen - Art Exhibits

My friend Mathias "Spider" Schergen's art will be showing on display at several venues during the month October. Hope to see you there.

HOTHOUSE
31 EAST BALBO
OCTOBER 14TH - OCTOBER 28TH
RECEPTION: SATURDAY, OCT 14TH, 3:00 - 5:00
Parking available across the street at a discounted
weekend rate. All ages welcome. Elevator accessible.
Visit www.hothouse.net
click on calendar, then October 14th for more info

SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL CENTER
7059 South Shore Drive
Sept. 8 - October 30th
Opening reception: Wednesday, October 4th 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

CASA MICHOACAN
1638 South Blue Island
October 6th - October 30th
Opening Reception: Friday, October 6th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

CAFÉ MESTIZO / CULTURAL URBAN COFFEE HOUSE
1646 West 18th Street
October 3rd - October 30th
Reception: Friday, October 20th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
(Live Latin music by Gonzalo Cordova from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm)

Stop in & let Matt know that you read about it in the Path Of Life blog!

CONTRACT ENFORCEMENT

26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28Anyone who has rejected Moses? law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and
insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." (Hebrews 10:26-30).

We are all party to various types of contracts throughout life. In a contract two parties agree on certain terms of their relationship and then promise to behave in accordance with those terms. Many people are blessed to work under the terms of a labor contract. The two parties - the employer and the employees - are bound under the terms of that contract. We like to work under the auspices of a contract because it brings stability. We know what to expect and what is expected of us. If an employee violates a contract term he/she can expect discipline. If the employer neglects any agreed upon terms, it can expect the grievance procedure enacted. Thus, both sides are very concerned with contract enforcement and have tools available to ensure the compliance of the other party. When each contract expires we are all treated to a front row seat of an interesting chess match called contract negotiations. Both parties send their most skilled strategists to the table and we can be thankful for the hard work they do.

Now God has designed life so that the affairs of man would always serve as illustrations, which reveal Himself and draw us into a relationship with Him. The enactment of contracts is certainly no exception to that principle. Allow me to explain:

I. God Has Always Based His Relationship With Man On Contractul Terms.

1. The Contract in Eden: The parties - God and Adam. The terms - Adam was to care for the Garden. In return for faithfulness he could eat from any tree in the garden, except one. The discipline for noncompliance was spiritual death - a loss of intimate relationship with God and expulsion from the Garden.

2. The Contract With Fallen Man: After Adam and Eve's sin - or breach of contract - God established another contract with them. The terms were not so pleasant: Eve would have great pain in childbirth and Adam would toil over a now cursed earth which would not easily yield its fruit until the day he died and returned himself to the dust.

3. The Contract With Noah: God reconfirmed His contract with fallen man and expanded it to include the establishment of human government to suppress the effects of man's sinfulness. For His part God then promised never again to destroy the earth and its inhabitants with a flood. Then He rearranged the hydrological cycle so that it would interact with the visible spectrum of light to create rainbows under certain circumstances: "The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." (Genesis 9:16).

4. The Contract With Abraham: This contract included terms both for Abraham personally and for the nation of Israel, which would spring from his descendants. "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you." (Genesis 17:7)

5. The Contract of God's Law: The most basic terms of this contract were spelled out in the Ten Commandments: "So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone."  (Deut.  4:13).

II. We are Under A New Contract With God.

The old contract of the Ten Commandments demanded that we earn a relationship with God by our performance-- that is, by obeying His laws, But that contract had a built-in flaw - not a flaw with God, but a flaw in us, called sin: For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: "...Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (Hebrews 8:8), Since "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"  (Romans 3:23) and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) we are all condemned under the old contract of God's Law. If you think that someday you'll be in heaven based on your good performance in life, please consider: "...no flesh will be justified in His sight," (Romans 3:20)!

It is typical of fallen human nature to try to earn a righteous standing with God rather than confessing its total inability to do so, But if that's where you're at, then you are laboring under the terms of a flawed and expired contract which will ultimately condemn you because of sin.
You need to start carefully studying the new contract book for yourself. Let's look at that new contract...

III. The New Contract Was Ratified In Blood.

Jesus foretold the ratification of the new contract at the Last Supper. "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:28). The new contract is actually a testament, since it was ratified by the death of the testator, Jesus. Thus, it is the "New Testament". The terms of this new contract have nothing to do with our own performance or "good works". The New Testament declares that eternal life must be received through the forgiveness of sins paid for by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ:
"And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance." (Hebrews 9:15).

IV. You Must Enter The New Contract Personally.

The death of Jesus was sufficient to pay for the sins of all people for all time. However, God has revealed in the terms of the new contract that each individual must respond to Jesus with a personal faith in order to be covered under the New Testament: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:28) and
"8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Eph.2:8-9). This personal faith reception of Jesus as Savior and Lord reveals a new birth in the heart of the believer and places him/her in the "bargaining unit" of the new contract: "12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13), God does a miraculous work in the hearts and minds of those who enter the new contract through personal faith: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," (Hebrews 10:16). It is difficult for those still struggling under the condemnation of the old contract to understand the changing values, priorities and lifestyles of those entering the new contract. They don?t realize that "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13)

V. To Reject The New Contract Results In Judgment.

This is such a fearful prospect that I will just let God Himself speak without comment from me: "26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28Anyone who has rejected Moses? law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him who aid, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." (Hebrews 10:26-30).

VI. God Never Breaks A Contract Promise.

We are always on the lookout for labor contract violations - and rightly so! Wherever men are involved eventually there will be broken promises. I'm quite sure I've violated our labor contract terms at times without even realizing it. But when God makes Himself party to a contract, He perfectly abides by the terms and performs His promises without fail: "My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips." (Psalm 89:34), In fact, when the Bible speaks about the certainty of God's contractual promises it simply states that, "...it is impossible for God to lie..." (Hebrews 6:18). God loves you and has bound Himself contractually to forgive your sins and give you eternal life.

He left heaven, entered the humble world of human experience and then allowed sinful man to nail Him to a cross - all that He might ratify that contract! You can either give your life to Him in full faith and love, entering the eternal blessings of the New Testament or you will remain condemned by your sins under the old contract of God's Law - facing eternal judgment. I pray that your heart would be open today to the love of God and filled with the faith of the New Testament in His blood.

DESPAIR IN DARFUR

Western policy is in near despair over Darfur, and governments are turning to Russia and China to see if they can put pressure on the Sudanese government to accept a UN peacekeeping force. The World Evangelical Alliance is calling on Christians to observe the Global Day for Darfur on Sept. 17 and to participate in a Week of Prayer leading up to Sunday in support for Darfurians.... Read this report at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5317796.stm

Also see
Save Darfur
http://www.savedarfur.org/faith

Wikipedia: Darfur Conflict

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darfur_conflict

DarfurGenocide.org
http://www.darfurgenocide.org/

Christianity Today Darfur coverage
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ctmag/
features/international/africa/sudan.html

"Darfur Pullout May Make World's Worst Humanitarian Disaster Worse"
http://world.christianpost.com/article.htm? aid=24287&dat=20060905

World Evangelical Alliance
http://www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/news/view.htm?id=626

Modern Evangelistic Malpractice

I've noticed a curious problem today in the evangelical [and fundamental] world - one that poses sobering questions for the church and for the individual believer. To get to the point; a great army of personal soul-winners has been mobilized to reach the world for Christ. They are earnest, zealous, enthusiastic, and persuasive. To their credit it must be said that they are on the job. Statistics show that they rack up an astounding number of conversions. Everything seems to be on the plus side.

But the problem is this: The conversions don't stick. The fruit does not remain. Six months later there is nothing to be seen for all the aggressive evangelism. The modern technique of soul winning has produced stillbirths.

What is behind all this malpractice in bringing souls to the birth? Strangely enough it begins with the valid determination to preach the pure gospel of the grace of God. We want to keep the message simple - uncluttered by any suggestion that man can ever earn or deserve eternal life. Justification is by faith alone, apart from the deeds of the law. Therefore, the message is "only believe."

From there the message is reduced to a formula. For instance, the evangelistic process is cut down to a few basic questions and answers, as follows:

"Do you believe you are a sinner?"
"Yes."
"Do you believe Christ died for sinners?"
"Yes."
"Will you receive Him as your Savior?"
"Yes."
"Then you are saved!"
"I am?"
"Yes, the Bible says you are saved."

At first glance the method and the message might seem above criticism. But when taking a closer look we're forced to have second thoughts and to conclude that the gospel has been over-simplified.

The first fatal flaw is the missing emphasis on repentance. There can be no true conversion without conviction of sin. It is one thing to agree that I am a sinner: it is quite another thing to experience the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. Unless I have a Spirit-wrought consciousness of my utterly lost condition, I can never exercise saving faith. It is useless to tell unconvicted sinners to believe on Jesus - that message is only for those who know they are lost. We sugar-coat the gospel when we de-emphasize man's fallen condition. With that kind of watered-down message, people receive the Word with joy instead of with deep contrition. They do not have deep roots, and though they might endure for a while, they soon give up all profession when persecution or trouble comes (Matt. 13:21). Many have forgotten that the message is repentance toward God as well as faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

A second serious omission is a missing emphasis on the Lordship of Christ. A light, jovial mental assent that Jesus is Savior misses the point. Jesus is first Lord, then Savior. The New Testament always places His Lordship before His Saviorhood. Do we present the full implication of His Lordship to people? He always did.

A third defect in the message is the tendency to keep the terms of discipleship hidden until a decision has been made for Jesus. Our Lord never did this. The message He preached included the cross as well as the crown. "He never hid His scars to win disciples." He revealed the worst along with the best, and then told His listeners to count the cost. We popularize the message and promise fun.

The result of all this is that we have people believing without knowing what they believe. In many cases they have no doctrinal basis for their decision. They do not know the implication of commitment to Christ. They have never experienced the mysterious, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration.

And of course there are others who are talked into a profession of faith because of the slick salesmanship techniques of the soul winner. Or some who want to please the personable young man or woman with the winning smile. And some who only want to get rid of this religious interloper who has intruded into their privacy. Satan laughs when these conversions are proudly announced on earth.

I would like to raise several questions that might lead to some discussion and possible changes in the strategy of evangelism.

First of all, can we generally expect people to make an intelligent commitment to Christ the first time they hear the Gospel? Certainly, there is the exceptional case where a person has already been prepared by the Holy Spirit.

But generally speaking, the process involves sowing the seed, watering it, and then sometime later reaping the harvest. In our obsession for instant conversion, we have forgotten that conception, gestation, and birth do not happen on the same day.

A second question ? can a capsulated presentation of the gospel really do justice to so great a message? Wouldn't it be wise to give people the full presentation as it is found in the Gospels, or in the New Testament?

Thirdly, is all this pressure for decisions really Scriptural? Where in the New Testament were people ever pressured into making a profession? The practice is justified by saying that if only one out of ten is genuine, it is worth it. But what about the other nine disillusioned, bitter, perhaps deceived; on the road to hell by a false profession?

And I must add this: Is all this boasting about conversions really accurate? We've met the person who seriously tells you of ten people they contacted that day and all of them were saved. A young doctor testified that every time he goes to a new city, he looks in the phone book for people with his last name. Then he calls them one by one and leads them through the four steps of salvation. Amazing enough, every one of them opens the door of his heart to Jesus. I don?t want to doubt the honesty of people like this, but am I wrong in thinking that they are extremely naive? Where are all those people who are saved? They cannot be found.

What it all means is that we should seriously re-examine our streamlined approach to evangelism. We should be willing to spend time teaching the gospel, laying a solid doctrinal foundation for faith to rest on. We should stress the necessity for repentance - a complete about face concerning sin. We should stress the full implication of the Lordship of Christ and the conditions of discipleship. We should explain what belief really involves. We should be willing to wait for the Holy Spirit to produce genuine conviction of sin.

If we do this, we?ll have less exorbitant figures of so-called conversions, but more genuine cases of spiritual rebirth.

Just How Selfish Are We?

I was conversing with a brother in Korea this week & he lamented over the thought that Christians in Korea seemed to be a lot like Christians in America. To put it bluntly, he said that it seems as though we are ?social morons,? spending time with each other (Christians), patting each other on the back and generally avoiding ?the world.? We don?t look for opportunities to share our faith with non-Christians. We don?t want to touch a non-Christian with a ?ten-foot-pole.?

Lately, I too see Christians ?surrounding the wagons? and shutting out the very people that need the Word. Here?s how I see it. Generally, people are conformist. Most people are content to conform to their surroundings and to the people they hang out with. Part of that conformation process is to feel the need to not "offend" someone with our beliefs. Non-Christians don't seem to have a problem offending us when they share their beliefs, or lack thereof. As Christians, we should have our minds transformed to the image of Christ to the degree that conformation is not possible.

(Side-bar; not a part of my conversation with Min. Lee) By the way, our youth needs to think about that concept of conforming. Well, at least they ARE sharing things with non-Christian youth. They are conforming to the ?world?s? way of acting, dressing & talking. These days you can?t tell a Christian youth from a non-Christian youth. Now don?t give me that old line that they need to act and dress that way to avoid being singled out and are just trying to ?fit in? so that they can witness; the only witness I see is pregnancies and droopy pants. Who?s witnessing to whom? (End of my personal tirade)

Most Christians think that reaching out to the lost is a special ministry gift that only the pastor or "evangelist" has and are content to let them run with that ball. As long as they go to church when they should, give a few of their dollars to help out and are "good" people, their "Christian" responsibility ends there.

?Forget about those people walking toward the cliff?, they say, ?I don't want to "offend" them by telling them what they should already know. I?m sure they can see the cliff coming up even if their vision is clouded with the ?cares of this world.? I'm not going to be the one to tell them that they are walking a path of destruction.?

Sad, but true, we are a selfish lot.

One Thing You CAN'T Do In Heaven

Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, George Whitefield, Peter, Paul-all dead. If they came back to planet earth for any amount of time, what would they want to do? What would be their focus as they walked the streets of our world? Would Spurgeon want to go to the Super Bowl, Final Four, or a World Series game? Would Wesley or Whitefield go on a cruise or spend hours watching this new marvel called television? Would Peter want to take a plane ride, since that was not part of his former life?

There is really only one thing they would agree on because as long as they have been in heaven, it's something none of them have been able to do. They haven't shared their faith with a lost person. Why? None there. Zero. Only God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and saved people. No one else allowed. It is an exclusive club and you must have the right ticket stamped in the blood of Jesus Christ. Those servants of the Most High God would come back here and hand out all the tickets they could, giving as many as possible the experience of being with the Lord Jesus Christ; the forgiver of our sins; the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world, forever and ever and ever.

Have you ever wondered why this isn't every Christian's perspective? Before he died, Bill Bright said that only 2 percent of all Christians share their faith on a regular basis. Why don't we have the same zeal the apostles had to reach the lost, knowing we can't do that once we die? In 2005, Promise Keepers claimed 90 percent of all Christian men have never shared their faith even once. How far we have fallen in this age when men of God do not think it is their responsibility to warn the lost, before they take their last breath, about the judgment to come.

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, there is a very interesting statement made in verses 27 and 28 of Luke, chapter 16: "Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." Do you hear what the rich man said? He wanted his five brothers warned not to go anywhere near hell when they walked into eternity. How can it be that people in hell believe in personal evangelism, but there are people reading this article that do not? We, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, are to be zealously passionate about reaching the lost individuals around us.

Jesus Christ came to seek and save that which was lost. If it was good enough for Him, it ought to be good enough for you and me. If it was good enough for Jesus to talk with the rich young ruler and the woman at the well about eternal matters, it ought to be good enough for us to strike up a conversation with a lost person today. A teenager emailed me and said, "We are not on a pleasure cruise going to heaven, but on a battleship at the gates of hell trying to prevent anybody from going there." That teenager has it figured out. Do you?

Kirby Puckett, Peter Jennings, Johnny Carson-all dead. The world tries to tell you they no longer exist. Not true. Those men are either alive and well, or alive in hell. One or the other. No other options. Your family members, friends, and strangers are all going to be alive 300 million years from now in heaven or hell. Do you care? But do you care enough to do something about it? Be one of those followers of Jesus that obviously care about others' eternal destiny. Time is precious. Use it wisely in the days to come.

Excerpted from an article by Mark Cahill - Author/Evangelist
Get his book: One Thing You CAN?T Do In Heaven

What's You Potential?

God's Waiting to Use Your Full Potential
The next time you feel like God can't use you; just remember . . .

NOAH was a drunk.

ABRAHAM and SARAH were too old.

ISAAC was a daydreamer.

JACOB was a liar.

LEAH was ugly.

JOSEPH was abused.

MOSES had a stuttering problem.

GIDEON was afraid.

SAMSON had long hair, and was a womanizer!

RAHAB was a prostitute!

JEREMIAH and TIMOTHY were too young.

DAVID had an affair and was a murderer.

ELIJAH was suicidal.

ISAIAH preached naked.

JONAH ran from God.

NAOMI was a widow.

JOB went bankrupt.

JOHN the Baptist ate bugs.

PETER denied Christ.

The Disciples fell asleep while praying.

MARTHA worried about everything.

MARY MAGDALENE was, well, you know (... or maybe not - depends who you ask)...

The SAMARITAN WOMAN was divorced ... more than once!

ZACCHEUS was too small.

PAUL was too religious.

TIMOTHY had an ulcer .....

AND LAZARUS WAS DEAD!



... no more excuses now.

Whom Shall I Fear?

"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?" Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation." Here is personal interest, "my light," "my salvation"; the soul is assured of it, and therefore declares it boldly. Into the soul at the new birth divine light is poured as the precursor of salvation; where there is not enough light to reveal our own darkness and to make us long for the Lord Jesus, there is no evidence of salvation. After conversion our God is our joy, comfort, guide, teacher, and in every sense our light: He is light within, light around, light reflected from us, and light to be revealed to us. Note, it is not said merely that the Lord gives light, but that He is light; nor that He gives salvation, but that He is salvation; he, then, who by faith has laid hold upon God, has all covenant blessings in his possession. This being made sure as a fact, the argument drawn from it is put in the form of a question, "Whom shall I fear?" A question which is its own answer. The powers of darkness are not to be feared, for the Lord, our light, destroys them; and the damnation of hell is not to be dreaded by us, for the Lord is our salvation. This is a very different challenge from that of boastful Goliath, for it rests, not upon the conceited vigor of an arm of flesh, but upon the real power of the omnipotent I AM. "The Lord is the strength of my life." Here is a third glowing epithet, to show that the writer's hope was fastened with a threefold cord which could not be broken. We may well accumulate terms of praise where the Lord lavishes deeds of grace. Our life derives all its strength from God; and if He deigns to make us strong, we cannot be weakened by all the machinations of the adversary. "Of whom shall I be afraid?" The bold question looks into the future as well as the present. "If God be for us," who can be against us, either now or in time to come?


Morning and Evening by C. H. Spurgeon

The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee

"The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee."

- Isa_37:22

Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold, and shook their heads at Sennacherib?s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives; to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the pricks to their own wounding, and rush upon the bosses of Jehovah?s buckler to their own hurt.

We know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord ariseth, they shall fly as chaff before the wind, and be consumed as crackling thorns. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and his truth, may make the weakest soldiers in Zion?s ranks laugh them to scorn.

Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when he dresses himself in arms, where are his enemies? If he cometh forth from his place, the potsherds of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like a potter?s vessel, and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth. Away, then, all fears, the kingdom is safe in the King?s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigneth, and his foes shall be as straw for the dunghill.

"As true as God?s own word is true;
Nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,
Against us shall prevail.
A jest, and by-word, are they grown;
God is with us, we are his own,
Our victory cannot fail."

Morning and Evening by C. H. Spurgeon

Sharing Encouragement Via Email

I responded to an email today that asked how I got their email address as the person didn?t know me.
I want to share my reply with you all as a way of protecting your privacy.

[Response text]
I apologize for not introducing myself.

I am Minister Frank Coleman, webmaster at New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church in Chicago. [http://www.newjoydivine.org]

Let me tell you how I got your email address.
Many people feel that sharing quotes, prayers and words of encouragement through email is great. I agree that some of these messages have merit, however many are just time wasters. I have tried to convey to the people sending these posts that if they want to share stuff like this to use the "BCC" (Blind Carbon Copy) line when entering email addresses instead of the "TO" or "CC" line. Blind Carbon Copy hides the email addresses from the other recipients when you send email to a large group of people. (If you don't see a "Bcc" as a choice in your email client, click on the "Cc" or the image next to the "Cc", it will open up all three choices; "To" - "Cc" - "Bcc")

Using the "TO" & "CC" lines exposes your email address to EVERYONE the sender has addressed.

Just like you received an email from me & you don't know me, think of a SPAM artist cultivating email addresses from seemingly innocent email and flooding you with sales offers or even worse. These innocent emails are the greatest source for email addresses on the net today.

I know this because I have a couple of web businesses and look into as many ways to advertise as possible. Farming email addresses from large email posts isn't illegal, but it is unethical. You will NEVER get a solicitation from me.

I was responding to some bad info shared in the original email.

I apologize for the intrusion. I will be sure that your email address does not make its way into my lists.

IN HIS SERVICE

Min. Frank Coleman
[End of response]

PLEASE; care about your friends enough to use the ?BCC? line when entering their email addresses on large mailings. You can put your own email address in the ?TO? line and place everyone else on the ?BCC? line. Help to prevent as much spam as you can.

Search the Scriptures

"Search the Scriptures." John 5:39

The Greek word here rendered searchsignifies a strict, close, diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two, but with the candle of the Spirit we must deliberately seek out the hidden meaning of the word. Holy Scripture requires searching--much of it can only be learned by careful study. There is milk for babes, but also meat for strong men. The rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word, yea, upon every title of Scripture. Tertullian exclaims, "I adore the fullness of the Scriptures." No man who merely skims the book of God can profit thereby; we must dig and mine until we obtain the hid treasure. The door of the word only opens to the key of diligence. The Scriptures claim searching. They are the writings of God, bearing the divine stamp and imprimatur-- who shall dare to treat them with levity? He who despises them despises the God who wrote them. God forbid that any of us should leave our Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account. The word of God will repay searching. God does not bid us sift a mountain of chaff with here and there a grain of wheat in it, but the Bible is winnowed corn--we have but to open the granary door and find it. Scripture grows upon the student. It is full of surprises. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye it glows with splendor of revelation, like a vast temple paved with wrought gold, and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of gems. No merchandise like the merchandise of Scripture truth. Lastly, the Scriptures reveal Jesus: "They are they which testify of Me." No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this: he who finds Jesus finds life, heaven, all things. Happy he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Savior.

Morning and Evening by C. H. Spurgeon

American Tract Society -- Devotions
www.atstracts.org

God Delights to Give

"And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever." Genesis 13:14-15


A special blessing for a memorable occasion. Abram had settled a family dispute. He had said, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me, for we be brethren"; and hence he received the blessing which belongs to peacemakers. The LORD and giver of peace delights to manifest His grace to those who seek peace and pursue it. If we desire closer communion with God, we must keep closer to the ways of peace. Abram had behaved very generously to his kinsman, giving him his choice of the land. If we deny ourselves for peace's sake, the LORD will more than make it up to us. As far as the patriarch can see, he can claim, and we may do the like by faith. Abram had to wait for the actual possession, but the LORD entailed the land upon him and his posterity.

Boundless blessings belong to us by covenant gift. All things are ours. When we please the LORD, He makes us to look everywhere and see all things our own, whether things present or things to come, all are ours, and we are Christ's, and Christ is God's.


Chequebook of the Bank of Faith by C. H. Spurgeon

How We are to Respond to God's Promises

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17

How are we to respond to the promises of God? His promises are not automatically at work in every life that hears them. Some respond correctly, while others respond improperly. Some enjoy the benefits of God's promises, whereas others do not. In these two verses, we are given the fundamental response to all that pertains to the gospel of grace. That response is faith. This would certainly include living by the promises of God.

Paul was unashamed of the gospel due to its effective character. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation." The good news about Jesus Christ is essentially the grace of God proclaimed to man: "the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). This grace is God's power poured out unto the saving of souls. This power is experienced by all who place their faith in the gospel, whether Jew or Gentile: "for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." The gospel is effective, because it holds forth God's righteousness to sinful man, if he is willing to trust in the Lord. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith."

The gospel is referred to in the scriptures as a promise. "And this is the promise that He has promised us - - eternal life" (1 John 2:25). The gospel is often stated in the form of promises: "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved . . . whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 15:11 and Romans 10:13). These gospel promises are partaken of by faith. "The just shall live by faith."

In addition to initial salvation, the good news of God's grace includes many other promises from God. "I will build My church . . . You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (Matthew 16:18; John 8:32; and 16:13). All of these promises are experienced by faith as well, because "the just shall live by faith" - - continually, as well as initially.

O Lord God, I want to respond to Your promises properly. How gracious that You only ask me to trust in what You have promised to do. I do not want to ignore Your promises or doubt them. I want to live by relying upon every promise You have ever made. In Your faithful name I pray, Amen.

Day-By-Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra
American Tract Society -- Devotions
www.atstracts.org

Claims With Proof

As we continue with our thoughts about Jesus and the Path Of Life we are to emulate; many people and books claim to guide us to a better life. Many claim to speak for, or about, God. Making loud claims is easy. The hard part is proving those claims to be true. Most books by great thinkers do not try to offer real proof for what they say about God. The Bible not only offers good evidence, it is itself the proof! Remember that the Bible was written over a long period of history. Because of this, the Bible stands alone in being able to combine two things: It could foretell coming events. And, much later, it could then report their fulfillment.

Earlier Bible writers told of things yet to come. Then, even centuries later, other Bible writers saw and recorded those things coming true. These are not 'guesses' about small, hidden happenings. Many of these prophecies deal with entire nations, and world-changing events. Many of the prophecies are about the Christ.

Prophecies showed the line of parents through whom He would be born (Genesis 22:18; 49:10; Psalm 89; Jeremiah 23:5). They predicted the exact place of His birth (Micah 5:2). They described His nature and work (Psalm 2; 110; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10). They foretold His death, and even His victory over death (Isaiah 53).

This picture of the Christ was drawn hundreds of years before the coming of Jesus. Yet Jesus fit every part of this prophetic picture so well that He is now called Jesus, the Christ. The evidences about Christ are so strong that the world has never been the same since His arrival.

As the school systems debate over the use of "BC" & "AD" and "BCE" & "ACE", let us remember that Christ alone affected the world so profoundly that even the calendar bears the evidence of His time on earth.

God bless you!

The Way

I haven't been here for some time now. I have been doing a lot of studying and work around the house. I read a bible lesson today that really touched on the ministry God has placed on my heart.

As stated in my ministry focus statement, we are trying to help men get on and stay on the "Path Of Life" which is Jesus' way. The Bible often pictures life as a journey, in which we must choose the road we will travel. We should be careful because, "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25)."

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14)."

Although there may seem to be many roads (paths,) in reality they come down to two choices. How can we see which way to take?
"I am the light of the world," Jesus said, "Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12). As for the gate which leads to life, He is that Gate (John 10:9). He is also the Way (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:20). All who enter by this Gate, and follow this Way, come to the City prepared by God Himself. In this City God meets all our needs (Hebrews 11:16; 12:22; Revelation 21:22).

It is not surprising, then, that early Christianity was called "the Way" (Acts 24:14,22). This "Way" is not just one more idea, among many ideas, about life. The Way of the Bible brings us to a Person, a Guide who says of Himself, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life" 14:6).

Please let this be a reminder to us all that The Way (Path) is Jesus and his sacrifice for our sin.

Don't forget to share the love of Christ with someone today!

Bless you all.

Email forwards

I'm sure many of you will find this trivial, but it is a "pet peeve" of mine I feel I need to share.

We often receive emails that contain great messages, poems, and warm thoughts. They give a feeling of calm and well being and, indeed, are very encouraging at times.

My issue is with the "guilt trip" often associated with these mailings.
Words like, "if you love Jesus pass this on to ___ people" or "if you're not ashamed of the gospel pass this on to ___ people" or "send this to ___ people including the person you sent it to to see how many friends you have".

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy the content of these mailings and when I get something that arouses my spirit, I pass it on, after I delete the "guilt trip" line. I wouldn't want to subject my friends to forced forwards.

I also have a problem with, what I call, "multiple forwards". That is when an email is forwarded so many times that it takes five minutes of opening each forward before you get to the message. I really don't care how many people have had the opportunity to view the mailing, just cut and paste the content into a new mailing and credit the source if need be. That only takes a few more seconds instead of just clicking the [forward] button.

I just opened an email that was forwarded seven times before it got to me and suggested that I don't love Jesus if I delete it without forwarding it to my entire mailing list.

Way to share the love.

Enough of my trivial rantings.

What is your influence?

What is your influence?

Is it television, radio, newspapers, bill boards, and magazines? These are among the major channels that Satan has exerted his influence, and one doesn't have to go very far to see the results.

God?s children should never think themselves above reproach. Paul writes, "wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor 10:12.

There are safeguards the Christian can put to use which would make us less vulnerable to the "fiery darts of the wicked." Eph 6:16.

1. Be careful in picking friends, (whether you are young or older.) 1 Cor 5:33 says, "do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals" (R.S.V.)
2. Keep away from questionable establishments. Consider 2 Thess 2:22, "abstain from all appearance of evil."
3. Do not allow your mind and spirit to feed constantly on the negative things of this life, but rather what Paul suggests in Phil 4:8. Also in chapter two verse five of the same epistle he writes, "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
4. Consider your own manner of life, (dress, habits, speech, etc.), we too, are exerting influence to those about us, and God will hold us responsible if we would cause a brother or sister to stumble, or hinder an alien sinner from obeying the gospel because of our manner of living.

So brothers, let the world see Jesus in us, letting our lights so "shine before men, that they may SEE your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt 5:16.

Brethren, let us always keep in mind, that WE may be the ONLY Bible that people of this world will ever read. "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, KNOWN and READ of all men." 2 Cor 3:2.

Do you make for good reading?

A Man And His Word

Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Albert Barnes' notes on the Bible tells us that: "By thy words thou shalt be justified ... - That is, "words" are the indication of the true principles of the heart; by "words" the heart shall be known, as the tree is by its fruit. If they are true, proper, chaste, instructive, pious, they will prove that the heart is right. If false, envious, malignant, and impious, they will prove that the heart is wrong, and will therefore be among the causes of condemnation. It is not meant that words will be the only thing that will condemn man, but that they will be an important part of the things for which he shall be condemned."

As men we are always looking for confirmation of our "manliness."
We lift heavy weights, speak loudly, act boldly (at times), etc...
Generally we are looking for respect.
When I hear phrases like, "I can't trust him as far as I can throw him" and other negative thoughts toward men I come back to a man's word.
Can your word be trusted?
Are you in control of the words that come from your mouth?

We live and die by our words.
If your word is true and tried as such, then you are true.
If your word is a lie and tried as such, then you are a lie.
You and your word are one.
Words are the creative force God has given us to shape our world.

Men, we need to let 2006 see our worlds shaped in the image of God.
Take control of the words that proceed from your lips.

Look into God's word and pull out words of encouragement and apply them to your life. Create an affirmation that will remind you of who you are in Christ. Speak it to yourself on a daily basis and see what God can do in your life.


Rev. Frank