Christian Fellowship
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7
Vol. 19, No. 6 June 2010
I wonder what will be next in this mixed up world. There is such pain and doubt. How can we make it and survive such change? The answer is simple: Jesus Christ in all of my life. I don’t know how people make it without such a covering. I don’t know how people make it without repentance. If the world is changing so radically, then I had better keep up. And that comes by allowing the influence of the power of Christ in me. Without His power I don’t have enough strength to endure. The enemy is putting the pressure on the Church. God is allowing it to see who can rise to the occasion and push back the darkness and live in the Divine Life and Light of Christ. It is more than salvation. It is life eternal.
The Lord has been the first of our life when we came to Him. Now we must allow Him to be the last of our life, bringing us through the most terrible times the world has ever known. Rev 1:8 “‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,’ saith the Lord, ‘which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.’” This is repeated four times in the Book of Revelation. He wants us to know that He will finish this good work in us and not leave us to destruction. You will get through these times. You will be refreshed at the right time. You will endure to the end. But you must keep the faith. Heb 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised…” )
Psa 91:5-9 (KJV) “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation…”
In Christ,
Pr. Steve
A True Vision
Joel 2:1-2 (KJV ) “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (2) A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.”
As he preaches the first sermon, Peter reveals to us that this prophecy is for the church. It is a revelation of the last day’s army of God. Today, we need a vision from the Lord. A true vision of the Lord will always point to the Day of the Lord. Much of what we hear brings only confusion and is coming from the false prophet. The true vision of the Lord will point to the Day of the Lord, and it will bring us understanding of how to live during this terrible and awesome day. One of the things that will reveal a true vision is the preaching the Kingdom of God coming to the earth. This is now starting to happen on a wider scale than previously was preached. It will give you the necessary strength to continue to press into the things of the Lord. John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles all preached the “Kingdom of God is at hand” filling the whole earth.
There are two elements of the Kingdom that always reveal truth. First is the mystery of “Christ in us.” This truth is now transitioning us within. That is the inner kingdom of God. Most of what Jesus preached, even though He was preaching the coming Kingdom, was made up of parables about the inner Kingdom. They cannot be understood except through the living Spirit of God who guides us. The inner kingdom must be formed and brought into being before the outer kingdom is revealed. This is very painful to our natural man. It causes grief and sorrow, but it is the work of Christ being developed within. [God has been revealing to us what is not of Him. For example, people who have to have their own way, people who are easily offended, people who are high one day and low the next day are living out of the Ada- damic nature.] If you recognize what is carnal and seek to be changed, the Kingdom of God is being developed within. The Spirit of God does not have highs and lows, is not easily offended, and does not have to have His way!
If you are one who is easily offended, you need to change the way you think – don’t believe people are out to get you and hurt you. Think the best of people. Adam, the carnal man, thinks the worst about others. Adam is moody and finds ways to excuse why he doesn’t want to fellowship with other believers. He will find an excuse not to come to church often. He will criticize the church and the pastor. [There isn’t much left that offends me any longer. A person can take only so much and either he jumps ship or he learns how to handle it.] It is time to allow the image of Christ to rule us! No matter how much Adam hates it, let Christ rule. The change is not about feeling good. It is about obedience. And the change is not automatic. Until you acknowledge what is wrong and you want it out of your life, nothing will change. The process is called repentance and renouncing. {If you are offended by anyone right now – let it go; repent for holding on to it and begin to let the love of God flow through that situation.}
The reason this transition is so difficult for all of us is that it is supernatural. It is not natural. The end result of the Kingdom of God in an individual’s life is becoming the will of God in the earth. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth…” comes from obeying the laws of the Kingdom. They are found in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat.5). That is the way God wants His people to live. But first, Christ has to be formed in us – these laws all have to do with relationships: forgiving, going the extra mile, not being offended in persecution. And before this thing is over, that is the way the church will be. He is beginning with a remnant before the Kingdom hits the whole earth.
Today we hear about the Kingdom being full of joy and victory and experiencing more of God. And the Adamic nature says “Yes.” But that is not the way it is. The change is supernatural. The joy, the victory and experiences of God are supernatural. When Christians don’t understand this truth, they will want to run and hide from the church. If their adamic nature can’t be happy and victorious and feel God, then they give up. We should be able to walk in forgiveness, go the extra mile and not be offended; but it takes the supernatural power of God to change us, and it takes Christ being formed in us for the change to last. IT TAKES GOD. Righteousness is always a question of strength and that strength comes only from God, not from will-power. IF WE WANT GOD TO HELP US, THEN WE MUST DO THE BEST WE CAN. Have you ever noticed that God takes over when we have done all we can? If we are careless, God will not help us. But if we do the best we can, God will be right there for us each and every time. The result has to do with righteous living. Sometimes we just can’t do what we want to do because it becomes too much for us. Sometimes we try to be nice, but it just doesn’t work. If you want to get to the place where it always works, realize it takes Christ. Adam does what He can. But in order to have the Kingdom worked out in us, Christ must be developed within us.
Once Christ is formed in His saints, then the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness to the earth. It will be a violent take-over. There will be much wailing and bitterness of soul and spirit. And that is what Joel 2 is talking about. The day of the Lord is coming; and if we have a healthy awareness of Christ in us, we will be prepared for anything that can happen. THAT UNDERSTANDING SHOULD CAUSE US TO REJOICE AND HAVE JOY WITHIN BECAUSE GOD TAKES CARE OF HIS OWN. It is not the excitement that causes us to rejoice. It is the supernatural awareness of what God is doing!
The church is talking about the coming of Jesus as if they aren’t going to be affected. They are giving out false ideas that keep people unprepared for tomorrow. They talk about the outer kingdom without preparing first the inner kingdom John 16:2 “…the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.”
“Blow the Trumpet in Zion.” That is what God wants today. While the church is trying to blow the trumpet in the world, God is blowing the trumpet in His church. The problem is not in the world, but in the church. The messages today are not about righteousness. They are false messages that do nothing spiritually or eternally. We are in the day of shipwrecked faith, itching ears, lovers of self, and lukewarm hearts. The churches are still holding on to those things that make people feel good in their flesh and calling it the Kingdom of God. [The one thing that you can count on as being God is an increase in worship to our King. DON’T LOSE IT…DON’T LOSE IT. Christ is at the door and He wants in to rule and reign.]
Now understand this: Wherever you have the high-praises of God, you must also have the two-edged sword. If you don’t, then error will enter into the door. The two must go together. If all we have is praise and worship without the power of the Gospel message, then the flesh will rule and overpower the Spirit. [While looking for change in this hour, do not neglect that which is necessary to produce the lasting change.] Music feeds the soul (mind, will & emotions) -- no matter what kind it is. If we use it to open our hearts, then the Word will feed the spirit of man. And the seed will fall on fertile soil.
Yes, there is an increase of worship today; but without the two-edged sword, demonic forces take over. We are supposed to execute judgment over the enemy – judgment that comes with the sword. Psalms 149 & 150 tell us to worship God with all there is. Only the Saints can do this (Psm.149:9).
When we look at Joel 2 and other scriptures including Revelation we cannot know what they mean until the Holy Spirit reveals them. “Blow a Trumpet…” A trumpet is the call to war. This is not a time to remain silent and wimpy. The King is coming. The outer Kingdom is before us. The inner Kingdom is being developed so the outer Kingdom can be revealed. That is a true vision of this day.
Although we wish these days were filled with joy and glee, the Bible tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Why can’t we work it out with great joy and dancing? Because it is dangerous! What is the danger? That we will miss the way! And why do we miss the way? Because we have a cunning adversary who deceives us. There is a false sense of inevitability because people won’t stay on the alert. And when you don’t, the enemy comes in. Every time you let down your guard, the enemy gets in. Be so cautious that you not allow yourself time to play in the world to see what you can get away with.
Tremble for the day of the Lord is coming. We get all excited, “Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming. What a wonderful day.” Yes, that is true, but you have to be living totally for God. If you are not, it will be a time of terror and who can abide it?
The Lord is allowing you to make the choice. Give your all to serve God and you will have the time of your life. Or keep holding on to those things that you want to control and pray that God will have mercy on your soul. As you delight in His word and yield to His transforming work in your life, you will rejoice in knowing that God is well pleased with your actions and your attitudes.
-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 2009
Jun 8: “My people must fight. The battle is intense. All I ask of them is to use their weapons of warfare and the victory is theirs. I have given My Word to protect them and give them strength. You are preparing for a greater battle that I have warned about. If you cannot maintain victory now, what will happen in the greater battle? Be strong in the power of My might. I am with you no matter what, but you can avoid much needless pain by fighting against My enemies.”
Jun. 13: “Shake off the bondage that holds you down. The refreshing is coming. Your redemption is at hand. I shall speak and you shall declare My release.”
Jun. 16: No matter what befalls us, yet will I praise Him and triumph in His victory.
Jun. 22: “When the enemy comes to wear you out, you must resist him.”
Jun. 27: My help comes from the Lord. I look to the Lord and He will help me. He will protect me and shelter me from all harm. He will protect my coming and my going. (Psm. 121)
Freedom’s Call
What do we see when we really stop to think for a minute about the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Do we see the wonder-working power of the Word of God transforming us into the image of Christ? Or, do we see a saint struggling with sin, walking in frustration and besieged with doubt?
1Co 2:9-14 (KJV) “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.”
So many times people have resources that never get used and potential that is simply neglected. In the natural sense the conclusion could just be, “nothing gained, nothing lost”; but when it comes to spiritual matters, the issue is one of life and death. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is Joy, Peace, Goodness, Righteousness and Truth, as well as freedom from their opposites. But we must keep in mind that we have the free will to choose because God will not cause us to be robots. He knows that we grow stronger in the Spirit when we walk in the potential that He has provided for us. So we must set our hearts and minds to be obedient as He leads us into freedoms we could never know without Him.
Rom 8:1-15 (KJV) “[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (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. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
We have the potential to live in this magnificent freedom that Christ has purchased for us with His loving sacrifice. So pay attention to the things He is revealing to your born- again spirit. Live your life with a will to seek and find what God is doing in you and in the body of Christ. Avoid stagnant religiosity, and do whatever it takes to fellowship with Jesus every day as you discover His call to freedom.
Allow Yourself to be Open to Love
It is time to let the doors of hurt, pain, heartache, fear, and doubt to be closed. It is time to let the door of love to be opened once again. Yes, all of these seem to accompany love, but with love they can all be overcome. Loving can hurt so deeply you do not know if you can keep on going. Love can cause such pain that you feel you will never be able to move freely again. Love can crush the heart by the decisions that are made and words that are said; and love can cause us to worry and fret over the one we hold so close. When we suffer as a result of love, we doubt whether we can open the door to allow love into our lives again, but we CAN!
Yes, love can cause all that was mentioned above, but love can cause much greater things. Love brings forth freedom in our lives. It brings forth joy and peace. Love can conquer all of the negatives that keep us from loving again.
Jesus experienced the same thoughts and feelings of hurt, pain, heartache, fear, and doubt, but He was able to overcome them all.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)
He was beaten to near-death and then hung on the cross to die -- such pain!
His closest friends denied Him -- such heartache.
Fear of having to face the cross?
Yes, He knew it to be His Father’s will, but in the garden--such agony:
“Saying, ‘Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.’ And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:42-44).
He even had to experience doubt. Would His people change and turn to Him?
What brought Jesus through was the love of the Father which was poured out to Him and to His people. Love conquered all!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John. 3:16)
I Cor. 13 tells us about love:
“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.
We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete.
But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.” I Cor. 13: 1-13 (Msg.)
God’s truth reveals that without love you have nothing. Allow yourself to be open to love once again, for with love will come great freedom and healing.
Two Kinds of Grace
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
--Dietrich Bonheoffer,
The Cost of Discipleship
Kid’s Korner
A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand… “Daddy, what happened to him?” the son asked.
“He died and went to Heaven” the dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
“Did God throw him back down?”
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