Christian Fellowship
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7
Vol. 23 No. 8 August 2014
Are we following in the steps of Jesus who suffered for us so that we would endure the difficulties of life (1 Peter 2:21)?
I don’t think the majority of Christians understand how we are called to live our lives in Christ. There are few who are willing to follow Christ in suffering. Remember, Christ has left us an example that we should follow His footsteps. We have thrown these words and commands out of our repertory because we think Jesus did it all so we don’t have to experience what He went through. WRONG! Until we have learned to live as Jesus lived, then we are not ready for what lies ahead in this country.
Jesus was fully man when on the earth. He suffered throughout His life, yet without sin that He might show us the way to the Father. If Christ’s suffering and the cross is only something supernatural, then we will never be able to follow and imitate Christ to any degree. A great separation comes between the life of Christ and the life of the Christian when the relationship between them is only external!
The Church will remain in confusion until we faithfully begin to imitate the Lord and follow in His steps. Those who do so are the true disciples of the Lord.
In Christ,
Pr. Steve
What is Happening to Me Now?
Nah 1:2-3 (NIV) “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. (3) The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.”
This verse tells us that God is not indifferent to the things that happen to us and what we go through. He is jealous and protective of His own, His Bride, and will avenge Himself on those that rise up against them. But the problem is that God is slow with His responses – not just to His people, but toward the adversary as well.
When the enemy sweeps in and wreaks havoc among God’s people, God says, “I am not angry enough yet to do anything about it.” So it is our responsibility to keep crying out for mercy. With each assault, the Lord’s anger continues to mount.
We are going to experience the wrath of God very soon on this earth and it will be unbelievable. But until that time we need the blessing of the Lord. There are four kinds of waves in the Bible that we go through while we are crying out for justice.
· Wave of affliction
· Wave of righteousness
· Wave of depression
· Wave of restitution
These waves are a normal part of the journey. Calamity triggers these waves, and our souls are buffeted before God comes to the rescue.
1.WAVES OF AFFLICTION:
Psa 88:7 (NIV) “Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. Selah”
Psa 42:7 (NIV) “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”
When in a season of trial, it can seem as if the affliction crashes over your soul with wave after wave of breaking and crushing. You cry out to God but no relief comes. You know God is in control, but you also know that the enemy is involved, so you can conclude with the psalmist that the source of the trial is ultimately God. When these waves of affliction are pressing down on your soul, you feel the intensity of the refining process: Psa 66:10 (NIV) “For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.”
You are placed in a fiery furnace and wave upon wave overtakes you. The heat is unbearable while He searches every area of your heart and soul. He seems to be tearing you apart and destroying everything you have built over a lifetime. Nothing is off-limits to His search. After what feels like an eternity, He pulls you out of the fire and takes away the dross at the surface. You conclude that was the worst thing you have ever experienced and you are glad it is over. But then you hear – “That’s one, now back into the fire you go.” Seven times (Psm.12:6). When God tests you seven times over, He is not doing anything He hasn’t done with Himself. God does not utter anything that has not been tested seven times over. He will bring you through to a greater place with a seven-fold restitution that otherwise would not take place.
2.WAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – Waves of affliction can be pretty difficult. So let’s see what righteousness takes us through.
Isa 48:18 (NIV) “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
Righteousness is like the waves of the sea. Even though you have been seeking the Lord for a long time about your trouble, you have not let go of your righteousness and integrity. You continue to live in holiness and to exercise your daily life with kindness and mercy despite your pain levels. Although each act of kindness ascends the throne of God, it seems as if God is not hearing you. Nevertheless, you refuse to turn from righteousness or as Rev.19:8 says, “The righteous acts of the saints.”
How does God view these acts of righteousness? To Him they are like ocean breakers crashing on the shore. The fact is that your current distress does not move you from righteousness. Even though the waves of affliction keep pounding and pounding, you stand and respond with the kindness of God. Over and over, unceasingly throughout the day, your acts of righteousness are like waves of the sea that never stop.
Not only does your ceaseless cry appear before the Judge, but your ceaseless righteousness is a living memorial that mounts to heaven and witnesses your endless love and devotion to Him. No amount of darkness can stop your witness of righteous living. Determine never to surrender your righteousness.
3.WAVES OF DEPRESSION - Even though we respond properly to waves of righteousness, they often trigger waves of depression because of the afflictions. We are warned in scripture that the intensity of spiritual warfare increases in the last days (Rev.9&12 & 1 Tim.4:1). Be assured, there will be an increase in waves of depression. When a saint goes through seasons of intense trial and adversity, there are typically two responses. On the one hand, because we live in the Word and abide in Christ, we will experience profound insight into the purposes of God. On the other hand, because we are weak human beings who are still living in a body, we are susceptible to distress of soul and body. Adding to these miseries, the tormenting thoughts that the enemy throws at us produce the frailty of a soul that is greatly vexed and in extreme duress. Feelings of loneliness and depression arise, seeking to bury the soul in pain and agony. There is no one, single, all-inclusive answer for depression. We can only receive the necessary understanding when the Spirit of God directs us.
Since we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, we often confront principalities and powers with which we have to wrestle. When battling depression, we are literally face to face with our enemy – an experience comparable to breathing the stench of demons. One moment we feel as if our head is going to explode and the next we are aware of the grace of God empowering us to overcome.
We must come to the understanding that we are dealing with living creatures; otherwise, we will be barraged with hopelessness and despair. We need to come to the assurance that the greater the spiritual oppression causing a more intense battle, the more glorious the redemption God has in store for us.
Depression can suck every ounce of faith and hope from our spirit. It is evil and hideous. Where can we find help during this time?
Jas 1:5-8 (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (6) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
You must recognize if you are double-minded at a time like this. You are not double-minded if you set your eyes on the Lord and refuse to look to any other source to save you. As the winds of depression blow strongly in your soul, you may feel as if the waves are overtaking you. But if you have made Him your only source, you qualify to receive the wisdom you ask for.
This is the point at which you get the strength to get into the boat. Instead of letting the waves overtake you, you ride them out and harness the power of the wind to beat the storm. Be led into the Word of God and prayer to compass you about with hope and light. In this way you are following Christ’s example:
Luk 22:44 (NIV) “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
When Jesus was hurting, he prayed all the more intensely. So when I am depressed, I redouble my commitment to prayer and meditating on the word. The cure for depression is to seek the Lord until He gives a living Word that breaks open the clouds and releases confidence.
4.WAVES OF RESTITUTION – First come the waves of adversity whereby the enemy rips you off. Second, you respond with waves of righteousness, during which you keep going in Christ no matter what. Third, you encounter the waves of depression which make you feel as if you are going to crash; but, instead. you harness the power of God until breakthrough comes. Now you receive God’s waves of vindication, salvation deliverance and honor. It takes a long time before God is angry enough at your adversary; but when He reaches that point, restitution will visit your life in wave after wave of glory and honor and vengeance: Pro 6:30-31 (NIV) “Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. (31) Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.”
How does God answer those seven seasons of refinement and purification? By giving seven seasons of restitution for you. This is your sevenfold return for what the thief stole. The restitution will visit you again and again. And God’s glory will increasingly manifest.
-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 2013
Aug. 2: What does a man do when he loses everything? If he is a godly man he puts his trust in God. He keeps God first in his life, believing that God is in control of all the details. God allowed it; therefore, God will take care of it. Well, this test will prove whether the Lord is first in your life. I have been tested and Jesus is Lord of it all. I have never experienced such Divine Love like I have this year. Much loss has revealed my first love like never before. His Presence and anointing are fulfilling. He satisfies with peace and assurance. My witness is becoming clearer and His direction is sure. Thanks be to God who causes me to triumph. When I am weak, He is strong. When I am alone, His presence is known. I will continually put my trust in Him. He is faithful to finish His work in me.
Aug. 9: You have done more for me than I could conceive. You have brought me through deep waters and fiery trials. You have given me peace like a river and Your Presence guides me. May I never be put to shame as I live for You alone above all else. You rule my heart and fill my soul with Jesus. I abide in Him and He lives in me. I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of my testimony, and my life is worth nothing except for Christ and what He makes it! I will live a holy life for Him.
Aug. 12: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Pro 14:34)
Aug. 14: You can groan, but you can’t grumble!
Aug. 15: Call on Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you!
Aug. 20: “ADVANCE”
Aug. 21: Conforming to the image of Christ takes a lot of time. It takes continual prayer and fellowship with Him. Our communion must be sacrificial to come to this place of His likeness. Talk to Jesus all the time.
Aug. 24: Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I keep thy word. The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. (Psm 119:67, 69)
Aug. 29: UNSCATHED – You will come through without injury.
Aug. 30: Great peace have they who love thy law and nothing shall offend them. (Psm 119:165)
Ready for the Harvest?
John 4:35-36 (KJV) “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (36) And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”
It is time for the body of Christ to open her eyes to the truth about the condition of the harvest. Please take heed, Church. Take a good look upon the fields! Don’t settle for sight only, but rather take the time to listen to the Lord for every situation. We do not need training or gimmicks; we just need to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ enough to share Him with other people. Try looking at the fields this way: The fields are the multitudes of souls that are meandering aimlessly through life without Jesus Christ. While some of them may appear to have all that they need, others may look as if they have nothing; but both groups are going through life without Christ. All they have and all that they have ever embraced is the result of willingly giving themselves over to anything and everything that this world has to offer.
Mar 16:15-18 (KJV) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Why do we assume that the people that we see around us every day are not ready to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What kind of signs are we expecting to see that would cause us to reach out to people that we normally would just pass by every day? Church, the biggest deal-breaker is the choices that we are making. We just simply choose not to bring in the harvest -- even when we have heard and/or read in the Bible that Jesus wants us to bring in the harvest, and He even commands us to do so.
In the words of Charles H. Spurgeon, “You know that this is the general feeling at present in the Christian Church—not to expect any great things now, but to be waiting and watching for something or other which may one of these days, in the order of Providence, ‘turn up.’ Meanwhile, it is true that death does not cease to slay! Meanwhile, it is a fact that our cemeteries and graveyards are being crowded, and that multitudes are perishing for lack of knowledge. Meanwhile, it is most true that error stalks like a pestilence through the land. It is true that, as yet, Christ does not see of the travail of His soul, and that few are the travelers who go through the strait gate; but these good people seem indifferent to the perishing millions, and only say, “There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest.”
I think it to be interesting that the Lord has put this message upon my heart to share with you exactly four months before the natural harvest is to be here this year. We must realize by now, with all of the signs of the times that we are in the last times. So why would we continue to wait when we should be fulfilling the great commission that Christ has given us? And why would we continue to miss out on the wages that are given to those of us who choose to go into the harvest? And why would we forfeit the fruit of eternal life that is gathered by the sowers as well as the reapers of that harvest? Church, we have both the obligation of asking ourselves these questions and the obligation of giving God the answers.
-Kurt Thurston
Next course from Christian Life Educators Network - Richmond Center:
Training for Reigning: Life of David by: Dr. Ronald E. Cottle
This is a study of principles of leadership and training based upon the calling, training, and rule of David. Special emphasis is placed upon David’s life and the classrooms of preparation he had to pass through. Also considered are David’s call, his anointing, his character, and faithfulness to God.
September 4-6, 2014
