MSR Ministry: 2008

Monday, December 1, 2008

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER 2008

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

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

Vol. 17, No. 12 December 2008

Life is filled with big and small problems. The big ones get most of our attention, but do not produce much in the end. If we neglect the small matters of life, we end up making them bigger in the end. So we need to take heed to everything in our life which includes the big and small areas.
It seems as if people are missing so much today, and the small insignificant areas are causing most of the problems. People are becoming less and less aware of their surroundings, their decisions, their manners, and the simple things of life that really matter.
I have found that when we pay attention to every detail, we don’t mess up as much and in turn cause others needless pain and grief. This is where the Christian comes in. We, of all people, should care about even the small things that occur in other people’s lives so they will know their life has meaning. This is the way it is with the Lord. He cares about every detail, big or small.
We are now in the beginning of the holidays. We must not overlook anything, especially other people. Spend some time looking for ways you can reach out to others and help them, even if it is in the small ways; and may the Lord bless you through some very dark and troubled times. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of the hope that has been placed in you. And please enjoy this time and rejoice in the Lord, always keeping a spirit of contentment so you can be a blessing to someone else.
In Christ.

signature_pastor

Pr. Steve

Being Brought to Maturity

Psa 68:16-18 “Why leap ye, ye high hills? [this is] the hill [which] God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell [in it] for ever. (17) The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels: the Lord [is] among them, [as in] Sinai, in the holy [place]. (18) Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, [for] the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell [among them].”
The Bible clearly tells us in Ephesians 4 that the reason each member of the Body of Christ has been given giftings and ministries is to bring us into the maturity of the Lord. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR DOING THIS?
In this text the high hills refer to the religious people who remain self-willed, who do not take up their cross and follow the Lord. This allows Satan to rule over their actions so they can bring harm to the Spirit-filled church. It is the Pharisees and priests who murdered Jesus for envy. Satan is envious of Christ and can move even the elect of God when they are not led by the Spirit.
The purpose of building up the members of the Body of Christ to maturity is found in the second part of verse 16: “where God desires to dwell and will dwell forever.” God has chosen to dwell in Mount Zion which is Christ the head and body. Satan is envious of this. God is seeking a house for Himself. In that house are many rooms. The dwelling is first Christ and then the members of His body.
If we could see into the spirit realm what our lives look like today we would see they are all torn down. The Lord has given gifts and ministries in Christ to build us up in proper order until a majestic structure has been erected.
Christ went to the cross, and then to heaven to sprinkle His atoning blood before the Mercy Seat. He then sent forth His Holy Spirit with many gifts and ministries so the body could build itself up in love.
Many of you know how particular I am – in my office, in my home, in my car. But God is even more exacting – He wants perfection. The Father’s dwelling is already in Christ; so if we want to have God dwelling in us, we must have Christ built up in us. In verse 17 the millions of chariots are referring to the Saints of God. Each chariot is a place from and through which God can move.
At one time God’s people were governed by the Law of Moses. Now we are governed by the forming and dwelling of Christ in us. This is the new covenant. Christ must be formed in us – through the transformation of our personality. Unless this transformation takes place, the Father and the Son will not dwell in us eternally. But when the new covenant is formed in us, we will become God’s covenant to the nations of the earth.
The gifts consisting of and from men are given for the purpose of forming a dwelling place for God.
Beginning with Moses and through the prophets and apostles, we find several references in scripture to God’s plan of building a house for Himself.
Isa 66:1-2 “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest? (2) For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
Heaven is God’s “throne,” not His “house.” God’s house is built from the humble and contrite in spirit and those who tremble at His Word.
Stephen quoted this verse in his sermon to the Sanhedrin (religious hierarchy). God wants us to know His purpose for why we experience what we do in this life.
Paul said we are being built together into a holy temple (Eph 2:19-22). Peter said we are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood able to offer acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:4-5).
The purpose of spiritual maturity is clear - that Father may have a house - an eternal dwelling. Therefore let us think further about the purpose for creating a house for God the Father and the Son to dwell in us.
Rev 21:3 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.”
In order to understand what is taking place, we need to realize that on the new earth there will be two groups of people: the Saints and those of the nations who are saved during the millennial reign of Christ. It is difficult to understand that there will be a another group of people other than the Saints.
The Christian church is the Wife of the Lamb, the New Jerusalem, the holy city, the tabernacle and eternal dwelling place of the Lord. We are told specifically from Revelation 21:9-10 “I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And He showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem.” That there are not two brides, one Gentile and one Jewish, is clear. All are made one in Christ.
The Lamb has only one bride, and it is the church. Jerusalem is the glorified Christian church – it is not Israel. If you believe the church reigns in heaven and the Jew stays on the earth, you have failed to understand our purpose and eternal plan of God to dwell among His people.
Why does God want to dwell on the earth since He has the Church, the Bride, with Him and is dwelling in them? Because He loves the saved nations of the earth who are not members of the elect, but who have become the inheritance of Christ and His Wife. The purpose of the glorified church is to govern and bless the nations of saved people of the new earth.
Rev 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
We have always said this refers to the Christians. But if verse 3 is speaking about the saved nations, then is God saying that they will be comforted by believers. They will realize God’s Kingdom is the only true kingdom on the earth, and through this kingdom there will be no more war, sorrow, disease of sickness or death.
Rev 21:7 “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
Is He not saying, “To all who were victorious while living on earth will be their inheritance, even unto the farthest reaches of the earth.” Is that not worth living the best life possible?
Don’t you want to be a blessing to others – even the nations? You will if you allow Jesus Christ to mature within your life.
Isa 61:6 “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”
Let us come to maturity as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ and become a house for the Lord.
Psa 2:8 “Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.

-Pr. Steve

Being Brought to Maturity

-Pr. Steve

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

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2007
Dec. 1: You are still the only thing that matters. All that is or exists is because of Your great glory and love. I now know the glory to be revealed is for our protection and survival. Yet, it will truly be what You have called us to be in Christ Jesus. This is the most incredible revelation of all. Truly, it is a mystery but when it is revealed, it is beyond words.
Dec. 5: “The power of sanctification is at work in My people.”
Dec. 6: “Your diligent labor of love does not go unseen. You have received the vision from Me and have run with it to all I have given to you. The blessings will pour forth with greater deliverance.”
Dec. 7: Lord, help me to live one day at a time. I repent continually for looking at tomorrow without enjoying today.
Dec. 13: “Lean on Me. You were made to lean on Me and still walk uprightly. The anointing of My Spirit is purifying and cleansing for the work I have called you to. You will have the strength to encounter the darkness and press through to victory. Learn on Me and fear nothing.”
Dec. 14: “O God, Your family is in so much pain and heartache for the way of life today. Only You can revive the humble hearts. As we walk in contrition, may we experience Your favor and awesome warm embrace of love, and may You be glorified all the way.”
Dec. 15: I dwell in the high places, but also with those who are thoroughly repentant and walk in humility. Yes, I am with these.”
PM: There is an unprecedented army of joy amid all that happens. It is truly as You have said and I know it is by the Spirit. This is not natural.
Dec. 17: “The way to maintain clarity of thinking is not what you do or try not to do. It is maintaining a heart of humility which is acknowledgment of Me in all you do. The proud will remain in confusion more and more.”
Dec. 18: Love keeps no record of wrongs. That is when it doesn’t hurt anymore when a wrong is recalled and becomes increasingly difficult to remember details. Healing the heart does this.
Dec. 22: There is just something about the way You are leading today. When we don’t feel good and we wait upon You, a joy and a peace rise up that comforts us and blesses us. Truly, You are the Blessed One of Eternity.
Dec. 25: “Don’t turn back, don’t look back; there is more to come.”
Dec. 27: I wait, wait, wait, for more of You is to come. Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Dec. 29: “What do you see?” I see hills that are black. It looks as if they are filled with life. “It is the enemy that is coming in hordes. What are you doing?” I am standing in the place where I am supposed to be. “Good! Don’t run, don’t advance, stand! You will see much happen, but you must wait on Me to direct you. You do not have to fear. I am with you and guiding you with My Spirit. Be ready at all times and stand on the Rock of your salvation. Speak to the mountains of trouble when I say speak and they will move away. Do not doubt.”

QUOTES FROM LEONARD RAVENHILL:

A popular evangelist reaches your emotions. A true prophet reaches your conscious.

The last words of Jesus to the church were REPENT!

John the Baptist never performed any miracles. Yet, he was greater than any of the Old Testament prophets.
I doubt that more than two percent of professing Christians in the United States are truly born-again.

Our God is a consuming fire. He consumes pride, lust, materialism, and other sin.

There are only two kinds of persons: those dead in sin and those dead to sin.

When you are sitting in the dark you can either curse the darkness or you can light a candle.

Some women can spend thirty minutes to an hour preparing for church. What would happen if we spent the same amount of time preparing for the service in prayer and meditation?

Maturity comes from obedience, not necessarily from age!

A Righteous Celebration

Isa 9:6-7 (KJV) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Sometimes the Christmas season can keep people so busy that they lose focus of what Christmas is really all about. It is not surprising to find that people who do not profess and serve Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior see Christmas as being nothing more than just another fun holiday. But Christians should have a completely different view and should demonstrate respect for the true meaning and reason for the season.
Heb 10:24-25 (KJV) “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
With their different opinions of modern day Christianity, many “Christians” are abandoning the things in their lives that should be devoted to God - all for the sake of convenience, and pleasures, and family preferences. Celebrating Christ and exchanging gifts at Christmas time is fun and can bring joy, but Jesus never said that we should celebrate such a day. He did not say that it is justifiable to take the time and the money that He has commanded to be used a certain way (i.e. church attendance, tithes and offerings) and instead, use them to celebrate a manmade holiday in a man-oriented way.
Mal 3:7-12 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? (8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (12) And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”
God continually blesses His people all year long, so the celebration of Christmas should bless the house of God and in no way neglect or abandon it. While it is saddening to read reports about the waning of Christian values, only by examining ourselves in light of the truth can we keep faithful and focused on doing what is right, especially when we are tempted to compromise God’s standards with worldly responses. We should all be thankful that the celebration of the gift of Christ is an every day experience of new life and a growing relationship with the One who created us and loved us enough to give up everything that He could have had on earth. Those who choose to walk in that gratitude will experience the true glow and joy of Christmas as well as a deeper understanding of who He is, of what He offers us, and of how He causes us to live and to give. Let us seek to please Him in our celebration.

-Kurt Thurston

Saturday, November 1, 2008

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2008

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

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

Vol. 17, No. 11 November 2008

By the time most people read this we will have elected a new president for the United States of America. Some people will be angry, some will be relieved. But what we have to remember is that God is doing something that is beyond the elections. He is now judging us and no man can save this nation. Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world and until we completely surrender to Him we will still surrender to the government.
We are now seeing the beginning of the demise of great America. How will you stand up under the great changes that are rapidly going to take place? We are in a contest between good and evil. Although we know the outcome, the price will be horrendous for most. No matter who rules, we are commanded to pray for our leaders. The problem that captivates our minds about who wins comes from the false media reports of our day. It blinds our eyes to truth and causes us to be angry when our person doesn’t win. Let me tell you something that might set you free. Voting is of the world. So the outcome isn’t the way we think it should be. The Kingdom of God is ruled as a Theocracy. What God says goes. So we need to surrender our ideas of what we think should happen and the way it should be. I know this relinquishment is hard. But until we do, we will continue to be moved by our democracy that is now crumbling before our very eyes.
God deems this necessary in order to get our eyes back on Him and allowing Him to rule us. Up till now democracy has been related to the Kingdom of God. It absolutely is not. Democracy using elections is from the bottom up. The Kingdom of God is from the top down. They are total opposites.
This election should show us something spiritually. What is it? That this nation is not a Christian nation! Democracy will not work, so it is being destroyed to bring forth the Kingdom of God.
We are going to see more government takeovers until the United Nations rules and then the Antichrist will rise up in his limited power which will bring the end.
What will we do? Always do the will of God through the process. Obey God in every detail of your life and the Lord will win in everything that you do and are. PTL!
In Christ,

Pr. Steve

The Truth about Thanksgiving

For Christians, Thanksgiving means more than just turkey and football. Most of us have a vague notion that this holiday began when the Pilgrims invited their Indian neighbors to dinner to thank God for His provisions. But there really is much more to the story.
The Atlantic crossing which began in the fall of 1620 had been an extremely difficult journey for the Pilgrims. For two months, 102 people were wedged into what was called the ‘tween decks — the cargo space of the boat, which had only about five-and - a - half feet of headroom. No one was allowed above deck because of the terrible storms. This was no pleasure trip, but only one person died during the voyage.
The Pilgrims had comforted themselves by singing the Psalms, but this “noise” irritated one of the ship’s paid crewmembers. He told the Pilgrims he was looking forward to throwing some of their corpses overboard after they succumbed to the illnesses that were routine on such voyages. But as it turned out, this crewmember himself was the only person on the voyage to become sick and die. God providentially protected His people. A little-known fact about the Mayflower is that this ship normally carried a cargo of wine; and the wine spillage from previous voyages had soaked the beams, acting as a disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease.
During one terrible storm, the main beam of the mast cracked. Death was certain if this beam could not be repaired. At that moment, the whole Pilgrim adventure could very easily have ended on the bottom of the Atlantic. But, providentially, one of the Pilgrims had brought along a large iron screw for a printing press. That screw was used to repair the beam, saving the ship and all on board.
After sixty-six days at sea, land was sighted off what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts. But that was not where the Pilgrims wanted to be. They had intended to establish their new colony in the northern parts of Virginia (which then extended to the Hudson River in modern-day New York), but two factors interrupted their plans. The winds had blown them off course, but they also learned that some other Englishmen on board who wanted to settle in the same northern part of Virginia had bribed the crew to land the Mayflower somewhere else.
Once again God was in charge and the Pilgrims were right where God wanted them to be. Had they actually landed near the Hudson River, they would have most certainly been attacked by hostile Indians. Instead, there were no Indians on Cape Cod when the Pilgrims made landfall there.
Many years before, some local Indians had captured a Frenchman on a fishing expedition in that region. Just as he was about to be killed, the Frenchman told the Indians that God would be angry with them, would destroy them all, and would replace them with another nation. The Indians boastfully told him that his God could never kill them. However, when the Pilgrims landed in that same region, the land had already been cleared and the fields had already been cultivated, but those Indians who had prepared the land had nearly all died of the plague a year or two earlier.
Despite this provision of safety from the Indians, the Pilgrims barely survived their first winter on the Cape. Only four families escaped without burying at least one family member. But God was still faithful. In the spring of 1621, He sent Squanto to them, an Indian who could speak their own language and who offered to teach them how to survive in this strange, new land.
Squanto was one of the few Indians from that area who had not died of the plague. He had been captured as a young man and taken to England as a slave. During that time he mastered the English language; and then had been freed and returned to his native territory shortly before the Pilgrims arrived. Probably the most important thing Squanto taught the Pilgrims was how to plant the Indians’ winter staple crop — corn.
The Pilgrims thanked God for this wonderful helper, but they also shared with Squanto the most valuable treasure they had brought with them from England — the Gospel. Squanto died within a year or two after coming to the aid of the Pilgrims, but before his death he acknowledged his need for their God.
Other Indians whom Squanto had introduced to the Pilgrims were also impressed with their God. During the summer of 1621, when it appeared the year’s corn harvest would not survive a severe drought, the Pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer. By the end of the day, it was raining. The rain saved the corn, which miraculously sprang back to life. One of the Indians who observed this miracle remarked that their God must be a very great God because when the Indians pow-wowed for rain, it always rained so hard that the corn stalks were broken down. But they noticed that the Pilgrims’ God had sent a very gentle rain that did not damage the corn harvest.
It was that same miraculous corn harvest that provided the grain for the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving meal with their Indian friends and helpers. Today, many of our public school children are taught that we celebrate Thanksgiving because the Pilgrims were thanking their Indian neighbors for helping them; but the evidence of history shows that on that first Thanksgiving Day the thanks of both Pilgrims and Indians went to God for His great goodness toward them all. But the story does not end there.
Even though the Pilgrims hosted the first Thanksgiving dinner in America, the holiday itself actually has its origins almost 170 years later, after the Revolutionary War had been won and our American Constitution had been adopted. In 1789, Congress approved the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Congress then “recommended a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” to thank God for blessing America. President Washington declared November 26,1789, as the first national day of prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord. Another 75 years later, after the Civil War ended, President Abraham Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day to acknowledge “the gracious gifts of the Most High God” bestowed upon America. Every president did the same until 1941 when Congress officially made Thanksgiving a national holiday.
Now that you know the true story, this Thanksgiving make sure that your children learn it too. Let us all join with generations of Americans before us in giving thanks to God for blessing our country.

[Ref: Attorney David C. Gibbs, Jr.]

Psa 136:1-26 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (2) O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (3) O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (4) To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (5) To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (6) To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (7) To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (8) The sun to rule by day: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (9) The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (10) To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (11) And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (12) With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (13) To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (14) And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (15) But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (16) To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (17) To him which smote great kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (18) And slew famous kings: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (19) Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (20) And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (21) And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (22) [Even] an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (23) Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: (24) And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (25) Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. (26) O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.”
MAKE IT A PRAYER AND GET IT IN YOUR HEART.

-Pr. Steve

Truth

Elisha had more of the Holy Spirit dead than most Christians have of Him, alive.

Put off a sin or a piece of sin every day!

Truth must be spoken, however it is taken.

People will be in hell saying, “I thought there was no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”

The devil is a better theologian than any of us, but he is still a devil!

People will pay $10-15 for a Christian concert, but they won’t come into the presence of God for free!

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2007
Nov. 1: “I am ready to do a new and surprising thing but I need an obedient people. Forget about the old ways of God. Forget about yourself and worship the God who is and not who you want him to be. It is a time to turn now. Repent!” (God is calling us to this new place.)
Nov. 5: It is not what I have. It is not what I have done. It is not who I know. The only thing that matters is You, Lord. Have Your way. Be who You are and show forth Your Glory to a people who love and long for You.
Nov. 9: When the Word is alive and flowing, Your presence is abundant. Please grant, O Lord, Your people the Living Word.
Nov. 12: “Watch what I will do. These days are not in vain. My Father’s plan is on target. Remain strong in Father as you wait and see this unfold.”
Nov. 13: “All that is taking place is for My Glory to be revealed.”
Nov. 17: No temptation, no matter how it comes, has laid hold of you that is not common to all. You have the resistance that it takes. God is faithful to His Word. He can be trusted not to let you be tempted or tried beyond your ability and strength and power to endure. He always makes a way of escape that you may be capable to bear up patiently.
Nov. 19: “My blessing is at hand!”
Nov. 20: Nothing can rob you of My peace. Nothing can rob you of My joy. Nothing can rob you of My love unless you let go of it and cast it aside. Hold Me close even as I hold you close.”
Nov. 23: “The promise of My fullness will come. My Word will be established. The cry of your heart will be answered. My work is to do the will of our Father. He holds all time in His hands. The time is at hand and it shall be fulfilled.”
Nov. 27: “You are holding me tight and I am carrying you through to safety.”

Lasting Wealth

Pro 6:6-8 (KJV) “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: (7) Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, (8) Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.”
The ant, as well as all the other creatures in our eco-system, was created by God to accomplish His will in the earth by carrying out specific tasks. In the Bible the Lord has referenced the life of the ant to be an example to people who would possibly neglect doing the things that they were created to do. God wants people to provide for their families, and to walk wisely concerning the things necessary for everyday life, but most importantly God wants us to understand that we must also do that which is necessary for our spiritual wealth and health. People who make getting rich and having an abundance of things their life pursuit most often neglect and forsake their spiritual well being. For example: King Tut-ankh-amen loved his riches and possessions so much that he tried to take them with him when he died. The tomb in which he was buried had several rooms that were filled with chariots, fine furniture, curious and artistic painted items, multiple changes of the richest clothing (such as silk, linens, with as many as 50,000 beads on one robe alone), and sandals that were decorated with pure gold and engraved. There was gold everywhere and on everything in that cryptic vault. The single greatest amount of gold found there was used to make the king’s casket, which weighed 1800 pounds, and was valued at more than one million dollars. In the casket, with the corpse, were 143 objects made of gold and precious jewels; and laid upon the king’s face was his own portrait. How deceived by riches this king was to think that he could keep these earthly riches forever, all the while forsaking the salvation of his corrupted soul.
Mat 6:19-21 (KJV) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
God’s main concern is the condition of our hearts and souls. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, and He has allowed us to partake of His best heavenly treasures forever. Wow! Earthly treasures do not even compare to eternal heavenly treasures!
Deu 11:18-21 (KJV) “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. (19) And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (20) And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: (21) That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.”
We were created to have our hearts and souls filled with heavenly treasures that will endure throughout eternity. With these treasures there is no rusting, no corrosion, and they are impenetrable to destruction. To trade those heavenly riches for temporal earthly possessions would be ludicrous. But we are tempted and lured away from God daily by lusts that still remain in our hearts. Therefore we must make up our minds and decide for ourselves which treasures we will gather for the vaults of our hearts. We don’t have to try to do this with just our natural strength because God will help us when we choose Him and forsake the lusts.
Eph 3:16-19 (KJV) “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Those heavenly riches are not there just to be hoard for personal glory; they are there to be used to bring others into the Kingdom of God, and to show forth His glory in the earth. Be ready therefore to share as others are drawn to your heavenly riches, for feely you have received and freely you should give.
1Pe 3:15 (KJV) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

-Kurt Thurston

Prophetic Word 9/14/08

We had a dry hurricane, many trees and branches fell to the ground, a result of all the wind. Trees landed on roads, houses, cars, even on some people. As I was driving and seeing all of the debris, I was thinking about how things are done first in the natural then the spiritual. I asked the Lord, “Why are all of these trees falling?” I was amazed at all the large trees that had fallen over and even some uprooted. As soon as I asked Him the question, the thought came that all of the dryness we have had from lack of rain probably contributed to many of the larger trees felling. As I observed the large branches that had fallen from my neighbor’s tree into my yard, I realized that if the branches of that tree had been pruned, they would not have fallen. Instead, the tree would have remained healthy and strong.
After seeing all of this, I began to see this natural phenomenon spiritually. If we are not watered by the Word of God, we, too, will become weak and will break off from the root. We will not be able to stand too long without having the word in us. If we do not allow the Lord to prune us, we will also lose branches in areas of our lives. We must allow the Lord to deal with specific areas of our lives and then prune those areas if we want our lives to grow and remain strong and healthy.
It is time to let the Lord prune (cut away) anything that is not of Him and to allow Him to bring the water of His Word into our lives so that we may have the healing, and the fruit that will sustain us and others to come forth. Do not wait for the winds of destruction to come and blow them out of us. The Lord is gentle to cut the areas out, but the wind can be harsh. The healing comes much faster when we allow Him to prune us instead of allowing destruction to take it out.
I felt such urgency in what the Lord was showing me. Let us allow the Lord to deal with these areas in our lives quickly so that we can move forth in victory and take it to others who need this watering before they are too weak to stand against the winds of destruction.

-Crystal

Negative Or Positive

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
—–
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matt 11:28-20)
—–
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
—–
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Cor. 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
___
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
—–
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Phil 4:13)
—–
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Cor.9:8)
—–
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
—–
You say: "I can't forgive myself”
God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
—–
You say: "I can't manage.”
God says: I will supply all your needs (Phil 4:19)
—–
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7)
—–
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
—–
You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
—–
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Cor 1:30)
—–
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5)

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 2008

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

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

Vol. 17, No. 10 October 2008

Sometimes I think I have the worse job in the world. And then sometimes I think I have the best. I guess it is all in how you look at life. It changes as God continues to stay involved in all I am and all I do. This thing about continually acknowledging Him in all I do really is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don’t feel stupid any longer. I don’t feel like I am going through life hardly making it. I have a confidence that what I do makes a difference and that God is pleased with me. Now that does not come overnight. It comes by continually seeking His face and letting Him rule. The more He rules, the freer I become and the more joy that comes forth.
The Lord has been very gracious to me. I have lost much that I used to have, but the Lord has replaced it all with the eternal things that make the difference. This level of maturity in the Spirit makes me walk on air. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still have my moments, but they sure don’t last as long. God’s ways are the only way that bring us into His perfect order of life. And I am one that is glad I said yes to the Lord!
“FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!”
In Christ,

Pr. Steve

Bound To Jesus

Rev 18:3 “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.”
We are in the battle of our lives today. Most people do not want to accept this truth, but continue to ignore the reality of our generation. The war of the ages is on the horizon. And those who are discerning are seeing the lives of men being thrown away like garbage. This verse tells us that the souls of men are becoming merchandise. Without the discernment of the Spirit of God we are trash to the enemy and he wants to destroy us. The mystery of iniquity is maturing and if we do not bind ourselves to Jesus Christ – spirit, soul and body - we will pay a price that has never been thought possible. IT IS THE POWER OF AGREEMENT THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO WALK IN PEACE AND PROTECTION WITHOUT FEAR, IF THAT AGREEMENT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
Amo 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Husbands must be in agreement with wives. Children must be in agreement with those in authority over them. Workers must be in agreement with bosses. Church members must be in agreement with the Truth of God’s Word if we are to be victorious. [There was a time when everyone in the church had an assigned prayer partner. I don’t believe in that because there is much power when two people begin to pray – even if it is in the flesh. I want to pray with someone who will agree with the Spirit of God, not someone who will pray based on emotions, opinions or legalistic judgments.] We have to pray God’s will!
God has been in the process of healing us of our issues, our unmet needs and our unresolved anger. We are not to be co-dependent on the power of the flesh to feed our wounds. So we are learning how to let go of our experiences of life that bring us much pain, and are allowing Christ in us to change how we feel about them.
If you have not come to this place, then you need to pray some prayers of repentance for harboring ill thoughts that keep you from being healed emotionally and spiritually. And then bind yourself to the love of God with much mercy and reach out in agreement with someone in the Spirit for deliverance, knowing His grace is sufficient for you.
One of the major reasons the Lord wants us healed is so we can reach out and touch others in the power of the Spirit. Then we, like Jesus, will be touched by the feelings of our infirmities. If we are truly like Him, then why aren’t we touched with the feelings of people who are hurt? God has put us in contact with one another. We should be discerning their feelings, their hurts and their weaknesses so we can encourage and edify them until they are healed.
Why don’t we do that? Because we are not bound to Jesus! We are not allowing His Spirit to reach out to loose every stronghold that exists in those we love and know. It is not a matter of power. We have that. It is a matter of caring for them the way Jesus cares for us. If you have never experienced His freedom, His touch and His love, you can’t know this. But we have!!!
Psa 18:32-36 “[It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. (33) He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet], and setteth me upon my high places. (34) He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. (35) Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. (36) Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.”
Doesn’t this sound like someone who has experienced the power of God? It will take the church who is alive in Jesus Christ to reach out!
Jud 1:21-22 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22) And of some have compassion, making a difference:”
Here is a lie: “People don’t want to be helped.” How will you know if you don’t reach out and ask? We have been given the power of binding and loosing if we are in agreement with the Spirit of God. The reason people don’t want to be helped is that they are not in their right minds. Remember, the enemy is using their soul for merchandise. They are filled with confusion, guilt, unbelief, anger, depression, deception and any other form of torment that manipulates and controls the mind, will and emotions.
What is a right mind? How do you know if you have one?
· Acts 17:11 – receives the Word and its promises with all readiness
· Romans 7:25 – is ready to serve God by the law of the Spirit with a grateful heart
· Romans 12:2 – is a renewed mind capable of being changed
· 2 Cor. 8:12,19 – has a willing and ready mind to do God’s will
· 2 Timothy 1:7 – has a sound mind (disciplined, trained, self-controlled)
· Ephesians 4:23 – renewed = to be able to understand what God is saying & doing
· Phil.2:5 – the same mind (attitude) as Christ Jesus – one that is in unity with the Father
THIS IS WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT MIND. In this battle, we are continually fighting against our thoughts that weaken us. Let us remember what God’s Word says and realize that in this battle our minds are bound to Christ’s and His mind-set is that of STRENGTH and DETERMINATION. In order to walk in this strength, we have to be willing to give up our own wrong patterns of thinking and sinful attitudes.
2Co 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…”
Are you blind in your mind’s eye? Then it is only because you do not believe His report.
How do you help someone who is not receiving? Begin to bind them to Jesus so they can understand, so they can hear, so they can repent, so the blood of Jesus can cleanse them. Bind them to mercy and grace and forgiveness and the cross. Loose, crush, destroy the lies and deception that have them gripped in the powers of darkness that make merchandise of their souls.
2Ti 2:1-3 “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Who is willing to be committed to the Lord so that others can be set free? Who is willing to pray for the deliverance of those caught in the trap of Satanic and fleshly traps?
Although everyone experiences difficult times, we all face these challenges differently. But we know the power of praying by the Spirit of Truth so people can find relief, peace, faith, and grace to make choices to live for the Lord in this fullness of time.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE BOUND TO JESUS:
1. Put on the mind of Christ. When you do, the battle that begins to rage is a good sign.
2. Pray the blood of protection over the life you are praying for. Instead of a battle of the mind, you will begin to discover the power of the blood, a power that will stay with you.
3. Then you can bind your walk, your worship, your warfare, your work all to the Word of Truth to be strengthened with might by the power of the cross.
Mat 18:19 “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2007
Oct. 1: “Total and complete abandonment is what I have brought you to. In this you will experience My fullness like never before. All your questions and concerns will be answered with the awareness that I am ruling according to My Word to you. All is done according to My will.”
Oct. 4: “Continue to show Me as holy by simple obedience to My Word. You teach My Word and the rain will fall and the blessing of My refreshing will satisfy enough to bring people into My cleansing power. You are approved and filled with My blessing.”
Oct. 9: The seed of God’s Word will only remain when it is sown into a good and honest heart. This is the body of believers that will persevere through difficult and challenging times.
Oct. 11: The happiest people on earth are not the wealthy or prosperous but those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, the meek, the merciful, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the pure in heart and the peacemakers.
Oct. 18: “There is a prevailing peace that surrounds you. My presence is continually guiding you and comforting you in the beauty of holiness and purity. You shall have My Word in power and demonstration. The cross is with you and you follow Me where I am and in what I do. You seek Me for the will of our Father and it is being accomplished. The blessing is upon the people to teach and be trained in godliness for the glory to arise upon them and My light to shine.”
Oct. 27: Many judgments are taking place today. As believers we must be able to identify, clarify and even speak of them for people to respond. It is part of Trumpets. It will cause people to hate us when things come to pass, but it is God’s way from time to time.
Oct. 30: “You have been with Me in the high realms of glory. You have found rest and refreshing and continued to see the unrest in the people. Now you will come closer to them and experience first-hand once again the agony. You have grown in Me and are experiencing more without being moved. Continue to rejoice through it all and know I am just as close as ever. My decisions are with you to give you an expected end.”

Selah

"Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision."

-Puritan prayers

“When we become too glib in prayer we are most surely talking to ourselves."

- A. W. Tozer

"Some people read their Bible in Hebrew, some in Greek; I like to read mine in the Holy Ghost."

- Smith Wigglesworth

"Worship renews the spirit as sleep renews the body."

Loving God

Son 1:4 (KJV) “Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.”
The Song of Solomon has come to be known as the greatest song ever written. It is a song that is to be experienced rather than sung. That song begins with the discovery of how much God loves us, and it progresses with the many circumstances that God allows in our lives to cause us to know and love Him. God has demonstrated His love towards us by giving unto us the greatest parts of Himself, His Son and His Spirit; and although we cannot physically see them, they are always with those who will seek and serve Him. 1Jo 4:8-9 (KJV) “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (9) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
As we follow after the leading of God’s Spirit, by adhering to His words, we will grow in His love and have fellowship with Him. The most common temptation is to have God on human terms; that is to walk in the flesh while trying to add God in when we need Him. The very nature of the flesh, to get everything that it wants, results in evil and destruction. The very nature of Gods Spirit and His word is love, which brings forth life and blessings. It should be apparent that serving God is the total opposite of serving the flesh nature, but some people try to live as if the two are one. According to the word of God, it is obvious that the choice is actually between life and death.
Joh 14:21 (KJV) “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
We have the undeserved opportunity to know God and to grow into His loving nature, but the choice is ours. If we follow Him and keep His ways, forsaking our own, He will manifest Himself to us. Those manifestations are glorious as they keep us through every trial, every temptation, and every tribulation; and as they reveal that we are the sons of God.
Rom 8:18-19 (KJV) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Those who do not personally know God will be affected by the revelation of His sons and daughters. If you were to ask someone who has never been born again if he believes it is right to do wrong, he will tell you it is not, because the very words (right & wrong) themselves are total opposites. But just having this knowledge will not change this person’s nature. Each person needs to hear and see that loving God is the only way to true life.
Mat 5:14-16 (KJV) “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

-Kurt Thurston

Monday, September 1, 2008

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2008

Living Word

Christian Fellowship

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

Vol. 17, No. 9 September 2008

Most people cannot take much more of the politics in America. No one can be trusted and no one wants to tell the truth and get to the facts. We are in some troublesome times and judgment is at the door.
God has been very merciful to us. I really don’t know why He delays, but thank the Lord He does. If only God’s people would take a stand for truth, maybe the tides would turn.
I recently was in my devotions when I came across this verse: Zec 5:4 “I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.”
What is “it”? In verse 3 the Lord tells us it is a curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth. The thief and the liar are cursed and it is going to bring them down to nothing. Lord, please help us to speak truth and stop taking from others. When will we have enough? When will we care more about others than about ourselves?
I long to see God’s people prosper not like it is today where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, but rather, when we all have “everything in common.” When this happens people won’t have to work themselves until they drop. The weariness is overwhelming today. It is increasingly difficult to serve the Lord, to worship the Lord, and to give to the Lord because of the mental battles.
Please don’t forget what God’s Word tells us: Heb 6:10-12 “For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

God is Faithful!

Pr. Steve

The Blood: What Does It Do?

Lev 17:11 “For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.”
How do we attempt to use the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus? Today the majority of believers are using the blood to avoid the judgment of God on our sins. We are using the blood as an alternative to being delivered from sin or as an alternative to righteous living or as a result of not coming into the image of Christ. DO YOU THINK THE LORD JESUS INTENDS FOR US TO USE HIS BLOOD AS A MEANS OF LIVING AN UNHOLY LIFE? Yet this is what is taking place in the body of Christ.
Think of it this way. Do we use soap to cover up our dirt or to wash it away? Similarly, is the blood supposed to cover our sins or remove them? When we fail to understand God’s Word we will manipulate the way we handle it. There is no biblical scripture that leads us to believe that the sin offering is one that covers or hides our actions from God. Rather, the blood of the sin offering is a redemption payment that cancels the debt we owe God because of our sin.
“The soul that sins shall die.” (Eze.18:20)
The blood of the cross appeases the wrath of God for our sin and pays the debt we owe. But it does not cover us so that God does not see our rebellious attitudes and actions.
Today we try to use the blood of the cross to hide our sins: (Ezekiel 8:12). I believe the Lord tells us in Rev.3:15 that He certainly does see what we have been doing: “I know what you are doing…” DON’T EVER USE THE BLOOD OF THE CROSS AS AN EXCUSE FOR EVIL WORKS.
Rom 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
What does this verse say to Christians? The contrast is between life and death – i.e. spiritual life and spiritual death. We are told specifically how the law of the Spirit of life sets us free from sinning. This is our redemption. Here, Paul tells us if we keep sinning according to our carnal nature we will die spiritually. The righteousness of Christ is ascribed to us only as long as we reject sin and live by the Spirit of God (Rom.8:4).
Some teach that God cannot see “through the blood.” If that is true, then it doesn’t matter how we live. If we commit adultery, then God doesn’t notice. If we lie, then God doesn’t notice. When we refuse to carry our cross and go off on our own agenda, God doesn’t see because “we are under the blood.” Stealing from God is considered an Old Testament concept, but even when you do, we are “covered under the blood. When we walk in disobedience and rebellion against the laws of God it doesn’t matter because He only sees us “through the blood.” We don’t need to be concerned about the Judgment seat because we are “under the blood of Christ.” Who in the world wouldn’t accept Christ on that basis? Yet that is the message of today.
The basis of the blood of Christ is to forgive us of our sins so we can be washed and cleansed from all unrighteousness and so we can be changed into godly people. His blood brings forth a righteous creation that God is looking for in the new covenant.
How are we washed in the blood? By confessing our sins and fiercely turning away from them with the help of God. We do this by remaining faithful to what and where God has called us.
It is completely true that because of the blood of Christ God keeps forgiving us. But this on the condition that we keep walking in the light and keep His commandments as revealed to us by His Word.
It is not true that God keeps on forgiving the sins of careless Christians who do not present their bodies as living sacrifices and who do not carry their cross and deny themselves.
Nowhere in scripture are we told that those who make a profession of faith in Christ are continually forgiven. In fact, as a result of worldliness, this nation is coming under condemnation. There is neither faithfulness nor fervency in prayer, no pushing ahead in God. There is, instead, a looking for a new word to heal without confessing our sins. People can’t escape being lied to by the enemy who convinces them they can live their own way.
In the Old Testament, Jews were forgiven as they offered animals. However, they did not live under the blood of animals. They were not covered by the blood of animals. We know that God did not see the Jews through the blood of animals because He brought severe punishment upon them when they disobeyed.
GOD SEES EVERY ONE OF OUR SINS AND REBELLIOUS ACTS AND HE IS CALLING US TO REPENT SO WE CAN LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE!
Today we don’t put the blood of the Passover on our door posts. We drink the blood of our Passover because the new covenant is an inner covenant. Every time we reject sin and accept the Lord’s direction we are given to eat His flesh and drink His blood. This is our resurrection. We are empowered by His Spirit – this is the oil that fills our inner man. If we live by the blood, then the Spirit of God makes us alive and ready at His coming.
We have become schizophrenic in our walk: Let’s throw out being changed into the image of Christ; the ten virgins; the parable of the talents; “I never knew you, depart from me you who do iniquity”; the great falling away; we can’t neglect our salvation because we are covered with the blood so what is there to neglect; there is no drawing back to destruction so why press forward; there is nothing to overcome, Christ did it all for us. Why pray? Why repent? Let’s just eat, drink and be merry because we have already confessed the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s just throw a party and drink kool-aid!!!
The blood of the cross is the center of our salvation, enabling us to walk before God without condemnation, provided we are obeying the law of the Spirit of Life and overcoming evil.
3-Things to adjust in our thinking:
We are not under the blood.
We are not covered by the blood.
God does see us through the blood.
What we need to be concerned with in this hour is to drive sin from us and become acceptable and honorable to our Lord. Don’t avoid unpleasant difficulties; let them drive you into Christ. Don’t flee from where the Lord has you; He is keeping you from spiritual harm. Don’t compromise your integrity just so you can have your own way for awhile. Don’t break God’s laws just so you can by happy and enjoy what the world has. We are in a war for our souls and the souls of mankind.
We have underestimated the enemy once again. It is not that Christians are trying to be wrong; it is that we have been deceived by an enemy that is very crafty. The spiritual pressures of our time leave no place for untested teachings and traditions. We must follow the Word of Truth and examine what we know. But you must decide for yourself if you believe that truth.
God is clearly identifying for us what it is we need and what it is we are to do to find Him. What does the blood do? It cleanses us from all sin and stain! If we can come to this belief, we will hold ourselves accountable before God and men. We will recognize the craftiness of Satan and flee from His devices.

-Pr. Steve

. . . My calling as a pastor

Pastor’s Journal 2007
Sep. 3: “I will be treated as holy by those who are near to Me.”
Sep. 4: “You have looked down long enough, stop being fearful of what is beneath your feet. Look up and behold My Glory and you will soar with Me.”
Sep. 14: Sometimes we don’t recognize how much stress we endure when it mounts a little at a time, day after day. Our bodies endure much pain and suffering and who knows the damage, but then something breaks and we come back into the awesome rest and peace and contentment of Your presence and joy. Thank You for this glory. May it increase more and more until we are consumed with Your majesty in all things all the time.
Sep. 15: Obedience not only shows a walk of faith but it also shows the holiness of God. Remember the waters of Meribah? Moses could not go into Canaan land because he did not show God’s holiness in his actions.
Sep. 18: “Hide in Me and take refuge. As the darkness passes over, you are safe in Me. I have you in My hand and the enemy cannot touch you. Keep yourself in My holiness for the enemy seeks whom he may devour, but those who are in Me are safe. Holiness is the key.”
Sep. 20: “You are not waiting alone. I am waiting with you.”
Sep. 22: “Keep looking up. When you are downcast you feel defeat and not able to endure, but when you look up to Me and keep watching, you can rise up and soar in the realm of My Glory and goodness.”
Sep. 23: “You are coming into a new season. This season will be one of understanding and an increase of wisdom to know what to do and how to do it according to what I am doing in My Kingdom. It will increase your stature in Me, enabling you to be strengthened with a spiritual might to be victorious and stronger in the work I am giving you to do.”
Sep. 25: “Endurance is the exercise that enables you to go through more than you think you are able to go through. It makes you stronger in relying upon Me.”

Are You Listening?

Many Christians still insist that they cannot hear from God. The big question really is: “Are you listening?” Maybe understanding some of the ways that God speaks will help. Here are a few:
1. Through prayer.
2. Through the Bible.
3. Through the right books, other types of literature, and multimedia.
4. Through wise counsel (other people).
5. Through circumstances and opportunities.
6. Through fellowship.
7. Through prophecy.
8. Through visionary leadings (including visions).
9. Through dreams.
10. Through inner peace.
11. Through fasting.
12. Through testimonies (past experiences - ours and others’).
13. Through inborn (natural) abilities or gifts and personality attributes.
14. Through new-birth (spiritual) gifts.
15. Through an authoritative voice.
16. Through an inner voice and affirmation.
Even when we do hear from God there is also a need to gain the proper interpretation and understanding of what we hear. In fact that is the greatest difference between hearing and really listening. We must not assume anything. We must pray for understanding. We must not throw away what we hear because we cannot receive it at that instant. Remember this: God’s ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. We must also be aware that our hearing impediments are not always a result of our humanity; many times we cannot receive the things God is saying because our hearts have not been kept in the right condition.
Mat 13:19-23 (KJV) “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. (23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
We can, and will, bear that fruit if we are willing to hear God and seek to gain the understanding of His will for our lives. The new life that is found in following Christ is a life of obedience to a new Master. The old life that we lived, as well as our being subject to natural desires and thus our being made slaves to sin, must be taken to the cross daily.
Rom 6:16-19 (KJV) “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (19) I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”
Listen now! The things that we hear God speak to us will increase our faith, but if we are disobedient and walk in unbelief, we will not bring forth the fruit of the faith that we foolishly abandon. Are you listening?

-Kurt Thurston

Selah

“In the Irish Revival of 1859, people became so weak that they could not get back to their homes. Men and women would fall by the wayside and would be found hours later pleading with God to save their souls. They felt that they were slipping into hell and that nothing else in life mattered but to get right with God. To them eternity meant everything. Nothing else was of any consequence. They felt that if God did not have mercy on them and save them, they were doomed for all time to come.”

-Oswald Smith

“In every generation the number of the righteous is small. Be sure you are among them.”

-AW Tozer

“The self-righteous never apologize.”

-Leonard Ravenhill