Paul Washer on Matt 7:13-27
This is a Shockingly Powerful & Biblical message
preached to about 5,000 youth in a day when youth
are appealed to through shallow and worldly means.
At one point in this sermon the 5,000 Youth are
clapping and yelling BUT THEN the preacher makes
a comment that CHANGES THE WHOLE ATMOSPHERE TO
WHERE YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP... As you
can imagine, the preacher was never invited back.
We believe the whole sermon will be a blessing
to many souls. For more info about Paul Washer
go to www.heartcrymissionary.com
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
(Mat 7:13-27)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Once save always saved?
A layman’s point of view
Most preachers of cheap grace or antinomianism (Greek: ‘anti’ or against - 'nomos' meaning law; which is to disregard the need for the 10 commandments or moral laws of God or under no obligation to regard the moral laws of God) usually preached along the lines of 'Once Saved Always Saved'. They attribute this to Apostle Paul with regard to his teaching on Grace and on Christian liberty (Gal 2:4). I.E. they say that Christians are no longer under the requirements of the law or saying that God doesn’t require anything from the people He send His only begotten Son to die to save. This is also to say that Christians don’t need to grow toward the level of holy or righteous living because once a person accepts Christ he or she is automatically holy or righteous. One recent popular verse is as follows……
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2Co 5:21)
This is to say that Jesus bore ALL our sins therefore we receive the gift of righteousness. So the conclusion is that we are no longer condemned by the law because Jesus took the full punishment for sin for us that we might be made right before God. Rightly so! In preceding verse, Paul reminds us that we Christ ambassadors, meaning we are to represent Him correctly. If God is Holy, therefore we should represent our Holy God. We know that righteousness is a gift of God by His grace, but keep in mind that a gift has to be firstly received. The condition of receiving the gift of righteousness, I believe is on the condition that we are willing to let go of the past sin life. The previous sin life and the new creation life in Christ can’t mix as much as oil and water can’t.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (Rom 6:14-15)
Therefore if we continue to live under the bondage of sin, Paul strongly says ‘God forbid’. For we are no longer under the dominion of sin but under the Lordship of Christ! We no longer live under the law that condemns us but it becomes liberty to us. Liberty doesn’t confine us the way we think, but liberty not to sin as well as liberty to forgive, be meek, bless our persecutors, pure in heart, etc as Jesus outlined for us in Matt 5. We need to look at liberty the way Jesus sees it, not what we perceive liberty to gratify the flesh.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (Jas 2:12)
This means that we are free from the curse of the law but judged by the law of liberty which is not a law of external constraint but of internal freedom to love, forgive, etc. For example Jesus taught us that He came not to do away with the law to fulfill it (Matt 5:17) and subsequently go on to expound that He is not looking at the external but internal. For example with regard to adultery in Matt 5:28 goes another level deeper from the committing the physical act of adultery to conceiving it in the heart. If we have true liberty in Christ then we are free from the even committing adultery in the heart. This seems to be almost impossible. But what is impossible with man is possible with God. That is why the promise of the Holy Spirit is the key to being true citizens of the Kingdom of God. I believe that the Lord is reminding us that we can’t deal with flesh and sin; we need the baptism of fire which only He can baptize us with to set our internal to liberty. If our internal is liberated than the external will be free (Matt 3:11). The more we submit to Christ and allow the Fire of Heaven touch our inert the greater the freedom. David understood this by saying in Psa 51:6 that we need to be truthful inside in the dealing with sin.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal 5:13)
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (1Pe 2:16)
Liberty is not to be abused and ties in with serving God. Moses told pharaoh to let His people go to serve Him. We ought to serve God with ‘clean hands’. If our service to God is motivated by love (not recognition) than we know that the self has taken second seat and others considered better than ourselves. This is where our struggle begins on our pilgrimage to complete liberty. How much of self have to die, firstly in that Christ increase (John 3:30) and secondly to serve other in love.
What is Calvinism?
Much of the ‘once saved, always saved’ thinking have been attributed to John Calvin. He was a theologian during the era of the Protestant Reformation about the same time as Martin Luther in the fifteen hundreds.
John Calvin was a very logical man and gave much thought into the understanding of salvation and came up with the acronym TULIP.The Five Points of Calvinism in acrostic form
+ T :Total Depravity : Everyone is born in enslaved in sin, being lovers of self than lovers of God.
+ U :Unconditional election : Our salvation is purely by God’s mercy, not because we choose salvation.
+ L :Limited atonement : Salvation applies to those who God has elected to be saved by His grace. This is against the teaching of universalism which says that eventually everyone will be saved because of God’s grace…. Not true teaching, since we know that salvation is by faith (Eph 2:8,9)
+ I :Irresistible grace : Salvation is God’s grace alone. This also means that the Holy Spirit overcomes all resistance (unbelief, etc) to convict individuals of sin, realizing that Salvation is the saving Grace of God.
+ P :Perserverance of the saints : This is also known as ‘eternal security’. Take note that the title ‘saints’ in the Bible is given to those who are holy or set apart by God. Some evangelicals advocate say that Christians remain ‘saved’ despite apostasy, unrepentant of sin and continually participate in habitual sin. But traditional Calvinist would dispute that in the first place did true salvation actually too place.
The antinomian may take the Perseverance of the saints as the supporting point for ‘once saved always saved’. This is of course generally true that once one put their trust in Christ, there is the assurance of salvation and eternal life with God. Once there is the complete trust in Christ, God will ensure He preserves us in the faith. John Calvin is right with regard to Perseverance of the saints as given to us in John 10:28-29, Phil 1:6, 1 Pet 1:5, and Jer 32:40.
However, we can’t neglect the call of the Apostle to ‘Fight the Good Fight’ which is to endure till we reach Heaven’s gates.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1Ti 6:12)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2Ti 4:7)
The crown of finishing is to ‘lay hold on eternal life’ as our crown or prize or victory. To fight means to require effort on our behalf. Why? I believe because it takes effort to pry the past life away just as the Israelites that left Egypt led by Moses but Egypt didn’t leave their hearts (Acts 7:30). 1 Cor 10:1-11 also reminds that it’s not about starting well, but ending well is just as important. Therefore we can’t say that we are ‘heaven-bound’ but continue or even return to a life of sin. Grace is not cheap and leaves no room for carnal Christianity which is by and large popularly taught in many churches today. Grace caused the Father to send His only Begotten Son and Grace caused the Son of God His life (and everything - remember that He died in shame bearing the sin of the world!)
The Bible is clear about enduring to the end (the term by Jesus in Revelation is ‘Over-comers’) as necessary for final salvation as per Matt 24:13, Mark 13:13, Matt 10:22, 2 Tim 2:11-13, and 1 Cor 15:1-2.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (Jas 1:12)
We are warned not to give up, only those who over-come shall receive the crown of life (http://pursuinghispresence.blogspot.com/2007/11/crown-behold-i-come-quickly-hold-that.html).
We also have a responsibility to be our brother’s keeper that we will together endure till we meet Christ face to face. It is our responsibility to love others as we love ourselves.
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (Jas 5:19-20)
A layman’s point of view
Most preachers of cheap grace or antinomianism (Greek: ‘anti’ or against - 'nomos' meaning law; which is to disregard the need for the 10 commandments or moral laws of God or under no obligation to regard the moral laws of God) usually preached along the lines of 'Once Saved Always Saved'. They attribute this to Apostle Paul with regard to his teaching on Grace and on Christian liberty (Gal 2:4). I.E. they say that Christians are no longer under the requirements of the law or saying that God doesn’t require anything from the people He send His only begotten Son to die to save. This is also to say that Christians don’t need to grow toward the level of holy or righteous living because once a person accepts Christ he or she is automatically holy or righteous. One recent popular verse is as follows……
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2Co 5:21)
This is to say that Jesus bore ALL our sins therefore we receive the gift of righteousness. So the conclusion is that we are no longer condemned by the law because Jesus took the full punishment for sin for us that we might be made right before God. Rightly so! In preceding verse, Paul reminds us that we Christ ambassadors, meaning we are to represent Him correctly. If God is Holy, therefore we should represent our Holy God. We know that righteousness is a gift of God by His grace, but keep in mind that a gift has to be firstly received. The condition of receiving the gift of righteousness, I believe is on the condition that we are willing to let go of the past sin life. The previous sin life and the new creation life in Christ can’t mix as much as oil and water can’t.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (Rom 6:14-15)
Therefore if we continue to live under the bondage of sin, Paul strongly says ‘God forbid’. For we are no longer under the dominion of sin but under the Lordship of Christ! We no longer live under the law that condemns us but it becomes liberty to us. Liberty doesn’t confine us the way we think, but liberty not to sin as well as liberty to forgive, be meek, bless our persecutors, pure in heart, etc as Jesus outlined for us in Matt 5. We need to look at liberty the way Jesus sees it, not what we perceive liberty to gratify the flesh.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (Jas 2:12)
This means that we are free from the curse of the law but judged by the law of liberty which is not a law of external constraint but of internal freedom to love, forgive, etc. For example Jesus taught us that He came not to do away with the law to fulfill it (Matt 5:17) and subsequently go on to expound that He is not looking at the external but internal. For example with regard to adultery in Matt 5:28 goes another level deeper from the committing the physical act of adultery to conceiving it in the heart. If we have true liberty in Christ then we are free from the even committing adultery in the heart. This seems to be almost impossible. But what is impossible with man is possible with God. That is why the promise of the Holy Spirit is the key to being true citizens of the Kingdom of God. I believe that the Lord is reminding us that we can’t deal with flesh and sin; we need the baptism of fire which only He can baptize us with to set our internal to liberty. If our internal is liberated than the external will be free (Matt 3:11). The more we submit to Christ and allow the Fire of Heaven touch our inert the greater the freedom. David understood this by saying in Psa 51:6 that we need to be truthful inside in the dealing with sin.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal 5:13)
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (1Pe 2:16)
Liberty is not to be abused and ties in with serving God. Moses told pharaoh to let His people go to serve Him. We ought to serve God with ‘clean hands’. If our service to God is motivated by love (not recognition) than we know that the self has taken second seat and others considered better than ourselves. This is where our struggle begins on our pilgrimage to complete liberty. How much of self have to die, firstly in that Christ increase (John 3:30) and secondly to serve other in love.
What is Calvinism?
Much of the ‘once saved, always saved’ thinking have been attributed to John Calvin. He was a theologian during the era of the Protestant Reformation about the same time as Martin Luther in the fifteen hundreds.
John Calvin was a very logical man and gave much thought into the understanding of salvation and came up with the acronym TULIP.The Five Points of Calvinism in acrostic form
+ T :Total Depravity : Everyone is born in enslaved in sin, being lovers of self than lovers of God.
+ U :Unconditional election : Our salvation is purely by God’s mercy, not because we choose salvation.
+ L :Limited atonement : Salvation applies to those who God has elected to be saved by His grace. This is against the teaching of universalism which says that eventually everyone will be saved because of God’s grace…. Not true teaching, since we know that salvation is by faith (Eph 2:8,9)
+ I :Irresistible grace : Salvation is God’s grace alone. This also means that the Holy Spirit overcomes all resistance (unbelief, etc) to convict individuals of sin, realizing that Salvation is the saving Grace of God.
+ P :Perserverance of the saints : This is also known as ‘eternal security’. Take note that the title ‘saints’ in the Bible is given to those who are holy or set apart by God. Some evangelicals advocate say that Christians remain ‘saved’ despite apostasy, unrepentant of sin and continually participate in habitual sin. But traditional Calvinist would dispute that in the first place did true salvation actually too place.
The antinomian may take the Perseverance of the saints as the supporting point for ‘once saved always saved’. This is of course generally true that once one put their trust in Christ, there is the assurance of salvation and eternal life with God. Once there is the complete trust in Christ, God will ensure He preserves us in the faith. John Calvin is right with regard to Perseverance of the saints as given to us in John 10:28-29, Phil 1:6, 1 Pet 1:5, and Jer 32:40.
However, we can’t neglect the call of the Apostle to ‘Fight the Good Fight’ which is to endure till we reach Heaven’s gates.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1Ti 6:12)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2Ti 4:7)
The crown of finishing is to ‘lay hold on eternal life’ as our crown or prize or victory. To fight means to require effort on our behalf. Why? I believe because it takes effort to pry the past life away just as the Israelites that left Egypt led by Moses but Egypt didn’t leave their hearts (Acts 7:30). 1 Cor 10:1-11 also reminds that it’s not about starting well, but ending well is just as important. Therefore we can’t say that we are ‘heaven-bound’ but continue or even return to a life of sin. Grace is not cheap and leaves no room for carnal Christianity which is by and large popularly taught in many churches today. Grace caused the Father to send His only Begotten Son and Grace caused the Son of God His life (and everything - remember that He died in shame bearing the sin of the world!)
The Bible is clear about enduring to the end (the term by Jesus in Revelation is ‘Over-comers’) as necessary for final salvation as per Matt 24:13, Mark 13:13, Matt 10:22, 2 Tim 2:11-13, and 1 Cor 15:1-2.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (Jas 1:12)
We are warned not to give up, only those who over-come shall receive the crown of life (http://pursuinghispresence.blogspot.com/2007/11/crown-behold-i-come-quickly-hold-that.html).
We also have a responsibility to be our brother’s keeper that we will together endure till we meet Christ face to face. It is our responsibility to love others as we love ourselves.
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (Jas 5:19-20)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Finishing Well – December 2007 Monthly Message from the ALERT Cadet Major
Paul, during the reciting of his testimony to the Jews in Acts 13, had these words to say about King David in verse 36, "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…”. I’ve been meditating on this verse and would like to share with you some insights as they relate to raising our children and our sons in particular.
First, David had to serve the purpose of God with his life. God had placed David on this earth with a particular set of gifts, talents, and abilities. David was to use these gifts to their fullest to accomplish the purpose of God. During David’s time that purpose was to have a nation wholly set apart to God, as an example to the world. God would then use this example to bring men to faith and an understanding of Himself. During our current time, Matthew 28:19-20, the so-called “Great Commission,” gives us the purpose of God. I am to train my children to be proclaimers of the gospel, disciplers of men, and proper providers, or keepers at home, for their family. What I do at home in my training must be in concert with God’s purpose for them and the specifics of how they will live that out.
Next, David served the purpose of God in his own generation, or during the time appointed for him to live. Psalm 90:10 tells us that we will each have 70 years to live, or if we are strong, 80 years. This means that time is a valuable asset, more so than money, and I must teach my children that time is not be squandered or wasted, but rather invested. I cringe each time I hear that my children, or others, are just “hanging out” somewhere. Rather, I desire to see them invest their time in developing skills, talents, or abilities that will help them to accomplish God’s purpose in their lives. Or, I desire to see them investing time in a relationship with another person so that both can accomplish the purpose of God in their lives. How do I teach this? The only true way is by modeling it before them in my own life. I also hold them accountable for the use of their time in much the same way as they are accountable for their money. It has been said that if you want to know what is important to a man look at his calendar and in his banking statement!
Lastly, David fell asleep, or died. There is a God-appointed time for me, and each of us, to die. Hebrews 9:27 tells me that, “…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” Hence, I will die, unless Jesus returns during my lifetime. Death is not something to be feared, but rather an end to my time and purpose on this earth. Notice again what Paul said about David, “…after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, (he) fell asleep…”. I can rest in this knowing that I am “bulletproof” until I have accomplished the purpose of God in my generation. I must also instill this same way of living and thinking in my children. They are to go 100% into each activity with no fears of dying “before their time,” as some would put it. This does not mean they are to do foolish things to test God, but rather, after being convinced that a certain thing is the purpose of God for them in their generation, they are to do it with their whole heart - no reservations and no regrets. How best to teach this? Again, the answer is to model it before them in the decisions I make and the projects I take on.
I want to finish well. Given that I have 70 or 80 years to live (God willing), and 51 of them are already gone, I am in the latter days of my time on this earth. All the time up to now has been preparation for the work God has for me to do. It is certainly not a time to “retire” or take a rest. Retirement is not in the Scriptures. I see many of the aged saints and apostles continuing on with their ministry right up to their deaths. I desire to do the same, and I have asked my family to keep me accountable. I must continue to grow, develop, and serve as God gives me strength, energy, and creativity.
As you plan activities to develop your children, help them to understand about King David and the purposes in his life. He wanted to build a great temple for God to dwell in as I Chronicles 28 records, but God said no, he would not build it (because he was a man of war and bloodshed). Perhaps you as a father may have great dreams for yourself, but it will be your children who accomplish them. For me, I desire to do a great work to assist fathers in raising their sons (and daughters), and hence, I lead the ALERT Cadet ministry. However, it may be one of my sons or my daughter who turn this into a worldwide ministry with great impact. One thing I do know is that when God calls me home, I will have accomplished God’s purpose for me on this earth.
May God give you wisdom as you lead your families well.
In Christ,
Roger D. Farr
ALERT Cadet Commanding Officer and Program Director
Paul, during the reciting of his testimony to the Jews in Acts 13, had these words to say about King David in verse 36, "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…”. I’ve been meditating on this verse and would like to share with you some insights as they relate to raising our children and our sons in particular.
First, David had to serve the purpose of God with his life. God had placed David on this earth with a particular set of gifts, talents, and abilities. David was to use these gifts to their fullest to accomplish the purpose of God. During David’s time that purpose was to have a nation wholly set apart to God, as an example to the world. God would then use this example to bring men to faith and an understanding of Himself. During our current time, Matthew 28:19-20, the so-called “Great Commission,” gives us the purpose of God. I am to train my children to be proclaimers of the gospel, disciplers of men, and proper providers, or keepers at home, for their family. What I do at home in my training must be in concert with God’s purpose for them and the specifics of how they will live that out.
Next, David served the purpose of God in his own generation, or during the time appointed for him to live. Psalm 90:10 tells us that we will each have 70 years to live, or if we are strong, 80 years. This means that time is a valuable asset, more so than money, and I must teach my children that time is not be squandered or wasted, but rather invested. I cringe each time I hear that my children, or others, are just “hanging out” somewhere. Rather, I desire to see them invest their time in developing skills, talents, or abilities that will help them to accomplish God’s purpose in their lives. Or, I desire to see them investing time in a relationship with another person so that both can accomplish the purpose of God in their lives. How do I teach this? The only true way is by modeling it before them in my own life. I also hold them accountable for the use of their time in much the same way as they are accountable for their money. It has been said that if you want to know what is important to a man look at his calendar and in his banking statement!
Lastly, David fell asleep, or died. There is a God-appointed time for me, and each of us, to die. Hebrews 9:27 tells me that, “…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” Hence, I will die, unless Jesus returns during my lifetime. Death is not something to be feared, but rather an end to my time and purpose on this earth. Notice again what Paul said about David, “…after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, (he) fell asleep…”. I can rest in this knowing that I am “bulletproof” until I have accomplished the purpose of God in my generation. I must also instill this same way of living and thinking in my children. They are to go 100% into each activity with no fears of dying “before their time,” as some would put it. This does not mean they are to do foolish things to test God, but rather, after being convinced that a certain thing is the purpose of God for them in their generation, they are to do it with their whole heart - no reservations and no regrets. How best to teach this? Again, the answer is to model it before them in the decisions I make and the projects I take on.
I want to finish well. Given that I have 70 or 80 years to live (God willing), and 51 of them are already gone, I am in the latter days of my time on this earth. All the time up to now has been preparation for the work God has for me to do. It is certainly not a time to “retire” or take a rest. Retirement is not in the Scriptures. I see many of the aged saints and apostles continuing on with their ministry right up to their deaths. I desire to do the same, and I have asked my family to keep me accountable. I must continue to grow, develop, and serve as God gives me strength, energy, and creativity.
As you plan activities to develop your children, help them to understand about King David and the purposes in his life. He wanted to build a great temple for God to dwell in as I Chronicles 28 records, but God said no, he would not build it (because he was a man of war and bloodshed). Perhaps you as a father may have great dreams for yourself, but it will be your children who accomplish them. For me, I desire to do a great work to assist fathers in raising their sons (and daughters), and hence, I lead the ALERT Cadet ministry. However, it may be one of my sons or my daughter who turn this into a worldwide ministry with great impact. One thing I do know is that when God calls me home, I will have accomplished God’s purpose for me on this earth.
May God give you wisdom as you lead your families well.
In Christ,
Roger D. Farr
ALERT Cadet Commanding Officer and Program Director
Monday, November 26, 2007
Disasters quadruple over last 20 years: Oxfam
Experts tend to be 'clever' to explain disasters, but we ought to be aware of the times we are living in.
As long as we continue to live with the perspective of the men and women of faith that went before us, we will live circumspectly (Eph 5:15), not as fools but wisely. God has passed judgement on the world and given us the mandate NOT to hang on to the temporal and set our eyes on things above and on the crown awaiting us (Jas 1:12).
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
(Heb 11:13)
http://pursuinghispresence.blogspot.com/2007/10/famine-in-last-days-for-nation-shall.html
http://pursuinghispresence.blogspot.com/2007/09/earthquakes-in-last-days-for-nation.html
God bless,
KW
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071125/ts_nm/britain_climate_oxfam_dc;_ylt=AtCjhC.iGjFuUy87c6Pw55dZ.3QA
Disasters quadruple over last 20 years: Oxfam
Sun Nov 25, 2:50 PM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Weather-related disasters have quadrupled over the last two decades, a leading British charity said in a report published on Sunday.
From an average of 120 disasters a year in the early 1980s, there are now as many as 500, with Oxfam attributing the rise to unpredictable weather conditions cause by global warming.
"This year we have seen floods in South Asia, across the breadth of Africa and Mexico that have affected more than 250 million people," said Oxfam's director Barbara Stocking.
"This is no freak year. It follows a pattern of more frequent, more erratic, more unpredictable and more extreme weather events that are affecting more people.
The number of people affected by disasters has risen by 68 percent, from an average of 174 million a year between 1985 to 1994 to 254 million a year between 1995 to 2004.
"Action is needed now to prepare for more disasters otherwise humanitarian assistance will be overwhelmed and recent advances in human development will go into reverse," Stocking said.
Oxfam wants the UN conference on Climate Change in Bali in December to agree a mandate to negotiate a global deal to provide assistance to developing countries to cope with the impacts of climate change and reduce green house gas emissions.
(Reporting by John Sinnott, Editing by Elizabeth Piper)
Experts tend to be 'clever' to explain disasters, but we ought to be aware of the times we are living in.
As long as we continue to live with the perspective of the men and women of faith that went before us, we will live circumspectly (Eph 5:15), not as fools but wisely. God has passed judgement on the world and given us the mandate NOT to hang on to the temporal and set our eyes on things above and on the crown awaiting us (Jas 1:12).
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
(Heb 11:13)
http://pursuinghispresence.blogspot.com/2007/10/famine-in-last-days-for-nation-shall.html
http://pursuinghispresence.blogspot.com/2007/09/earthquakes-in-last-days-for-nation.html
God bless,
KW
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071125/ts_nm/britain_climate_oxfam_dc;_ylt=AtCjhC.iGjFuUy87c6Pw55dZ.3QA
Disasters quadruple over last 20 years: Oxfam
Sun Nov 25, 2:50 PM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Weather-related disasters have quadrupled over the last two decades, a leading British charity said in a report published on Sunday.
From an average of 120 disasters a year in the early 1980s, there are now as many as 500, with Oxfam attributing the rise to unpredictable weather conditions cause by global warming.
"This year we have seen floods in South Asia, across the breadth of Africa and Mexico that have affected more than 250 million people," said Oxfam's director Barbara Stocking.
"This is no freak year. It follows a pattern of more frequent, more erratic, more unpredictable and more extreme weather events that are affecting more people.
The number of people affected by disasters has risen by 68 percent, from an average of 174 million a year between 1985 to 1994 to 254 million a year between 1995 to 2004.
"Action is needed now to prepare for more disasters otherwise humanitarian assistance will be overwhelmed and recent advances in human development will go into reverse," Stocking said.
Oxfam wants the UN conference on Climate Change in Bali in December to agree a mandate to negotiate a global deal to provide assistance to developing countries to cope with the impacts of climate change and reduce green house gas emissions.
(Reporting by John Sinnott, Editing by Elizabeth Piper)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Crown
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
(Rev 3:11)
In the prior verse Jesus commends the church for keeping the Word of His patience. The word of His patience is the word that teaches us patience endurance. Not falling apart at the face of temptations (adversity) but He has a promise in store for the overcomer. Holding fast requires action on our behalf in this most holy faith.
To those who overcome He will make us a pillar in the temple (Rev 3:12). Pillars are important as they form the very thing that holds the structure together. Samson pushed the pillars of the temple of the Philistines and the whole temple collapse and scored his greatest victory over Israel’s enemy. Therefore pillars do play a very important role and God’s wants us to be a pillar, to be part of His eternal will and purposes. The temple Solomon built had two pillars named Boaz (‘in strength’, Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary) and Jachin (He will establish) that held the whole structure together. The promise to the overcomer is that God will establish us and put within us His strength. When God establish us we have sure foundation is in Christ that gives us a hope and a future. 2Ch 16:9a ‘For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him….’.
Paul beckons us to run the race (1 Cor 9:24) and to run with the prize in mind. For us it would be the crown of life (James 1:12). We don't run the race to complete the race only, but that we win for the crown. In life if we aim to complete what we set out to do, then we might lose the final aim: The crown.
For example if we aim to complete our job, then it's half done. Our goal is to please whom we are doing he task for and please our Lord Christ for we ultimately serve Him in all things (Col 3:23,24). This will certainly make a difference on our attitude towards our work.
So don't just aim for the finish line tape.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
(Pro 17:6)
As with families, aim for posterity (not prosperity). Same as whatever ministry we serve in. We aim for the next generation and the generation after. As God proclaims Himself as God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob….having the same Godly mind to see beyond the finish line tape…. See and aim at the crown beyond. We are blessed today because of Abraham. For Abraham looked for something beyond human eyes can comprehend, it was an eternal crown. So did the rest of the men and women of faith (Heb 11:13, 16), desiring the ‘better’ and wouldn’t settle for the good. For the good can be enemy of the better. The better carries a sense of eternity, the good is settling down for the ‘now’.
God will crown us with many things as we aim to please God, but the ultimate is still the crown of Eternal Life.
My pastor recently challenged the church on what are the goals we want to achieve. And after some thought this is what I came up with, beyond crossing the final timeline of my physical being:
1) To finally hear Jesus say 'Well done My good and faithful servant, welcome into My rest'
2) That my family will go along with me to Heaven!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Mat 5:3)
My son asked me this question about being poor in spirit. I am overjoyed to hear such a question from a 10 year old. May he grow up as Jesus did, in wisdom and in stature; by 12 years old may he be able to astonish the wise by his answers at the critical age of growing into manhood. I learned that in the Jewish culture there is not such thing as a teenager but at 12 or 13 the girl or boy grows into a woman or man taking responsibility for his own actions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_Mitzvah_and_Bat_Mitzvah). I don’t think our God who called Israel to be the light of the world since Abraham intended for such a thing as the teenage years. That could be the reason why there are so much issues of teenage pregnancy, mischief, rebellion and other behaviors that cause parents so much heartache these days. May be live God’s way to understand that we train our children in the way they should go and we will not lose them to the world (Prov 22:6).
The poor in spirit are those who realize that their spiritual need to be fulfilled by non other than God. Most people, even Christians seek fulfillment in things that can be grasps in the physical therefore a success of a man or woman is found in their physical wealth. But our God looks at the heart and not the exterior values. In fact there is blessed-ness or happiness about those who are needy or seek spiritual riches where moth and rust don't destroy. Seek heavenly treasure and not earthly ones, for the former will last for eternity (Matt 6:19,20). We know that we are in danger of laying up earthly treasures when we start to yearn for physical things. Psalms 73:12 warns us that it is often that the ungodly prosper in the world as oppose to Luke 6:20 where Jesus raised His eyes and said that the poor are blessed for they receive the Kingdom of God. I suspect that these verses are not popular with the prosperity gospel preachers. God gives us power for making wealthy (Ecc 5:19), but if we trust in our richest more than God than we are in serious trouble.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Pro 11:4
All of us today are considered rich as compared to the early church where most Christians were poor and some were even slaves who owned little or nothing at all. In our situation of living rich lives (good food on the table, change of clothes everyday, shelter, etc), we should remember that that we serve or worship a Living God and not riches (Matt 6:24). In other words, don’t be a slave of riches but as the Apostle Paul did to claim himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. This means that He knew and experienced the Lordship of Christ. We have to ask ourselves if He is Lord of our finances or not. Can we truthful say that we are more blessed to give than to receive?
Basically being poor means that we are in need. This is a good frame of mind (being poor in spirit) to be in need because this reflects our humility before God. For God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
James 2:5 talks about the poor being rich in faith. He is saying that we that are willing to be contented physically (willing to live with lesser things) in whatever circumstances, will have much to gain in faith. Heb 11:6 talks about the impossibility to please God without faith. For He will personally reward those who come to Him knowing that there is no other save God alone that can satisfy our needy spirit. Realizing that there is no other source of fulfillment is the key to receiving from God. But our part is to be diligent is seeking God.
I personally believe that richest of heaven are many but it begins with firstly believing that He is (the only existing One, no other source will we seek); secondly to be in the state of realization that we need to be satisfied spiritually as our aim; thirdly that we need faith that pleases Him and lastly to be humble before God and man (for the meek shall inherit the earth and gain peace, Psa 37:11). Our journey to spiritual riches starts with these as our first steps.
(Mat 5:3)
My son asked me this question about being poor in spirit. I am overjoyed to hear such a question from a 10 year old. May he grow up as Jesus did, in wisdom and in stature; by 12 years old may he be able to astonish the wise by his answers at the critical age of growing into manhood. I learned that in the Jewish culture there is not such thing as a teenager but at 12 or 13 the girl or boy grows into a woman or man taking responsibility for his own actions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_Mitzvah_and_Bat_Mitzvah). I don’t think our God who called Israel to be the light of the world since Abraham intended for such a thing as the teenage years. That could be the reason why there are so much issues of teenage pregnancy, mischief, rebellion and other behaviors that cause parents so much heartache these days. May be live God’s way to understand that we train our children in the way they should go and we will not lose them to the world (Prov 22:6).
The poor in spirit are those who realize that their spiritual need to be fulfilled by non other than God. Most people, even Christians seek fulfillment in things that can be grasps in the physical therefore a success of a man or woman is found in their physical wealth. But our God looks at the heart and not the exterior values. In fact there is blessed-ness or happiness about those who are needy or seek spiritual riches where moth and rust don't destroy. Seek heavenly treasure and not earthly ones, for the former will last for eternity (Matt 6:19,20). We know that we are in danger of laying up earthly treasures when we start to yearn for physical things. Psalms 73:12 warns us that it is often that the ungodly prosper in the world as oppose to Luke 6:20 where Jesus raised His eyes and said that the poor are blessed for they receive the Kingdom of God. I suspect that these verses are not popular with the prosperity gospel preachers. God gives us power for making wealthy (Ecc 5:19), but if we trust in our richest more than God than we are in serious trouble.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Pro 11:4
All of us today are considered rich as compared to the early church where most Christians were poor and some were even slaves who owned little or nothing at all. In our situation of living rich lives (good food on the table, change of clothes everyday, shelter, etc), we should remember that that we serve or worship a Living God and not riches (Matt 6:24). In other words, don’t be a slave of riches but as the Apostle Paul did to claim himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. This means that He knew and experienced the Lordship of Christ. We have to ask ourselves if He is Lord of our finances or not. Can we truthful say that we are more blessed to give than to receive?
Basically being poor means that we are in need. This is a good frame of mind (being poor in spirit) to be in need because this reflects our humility before God. For God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
James 2:5 talks about the poor being rich in faith. He is saying that we that are willing to be contented physically (willing to live with lesser things) in whatever circumstances, will have much to gain in faith. Heb 11:6 talks about the impossibility to please God without faith. For He will personally reward those who come to Him knowing that there is no other save God alone that can satisfy our needy spirit. Realizing that there is no other source of fulfillment is the key to receiving from God. But our part is to be diligent is seeking God.
I personally believe that richest of heaven are many but it begins with firstly believing that He is (the only existing One, no other source will we seek); secondly to be in the state of realization that we need to be satisfied spiritually as our aim; thirdly that we need faith that pleases Him and lastly to be humble before God and man (for the meek shall inherit the earth and gain peace, Psa 37:11). Our journey to spiritual riches starts with these as our first steps.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Remembering Christ
And when he had given thanks , he brake [it], and said , Take , eat : this is my body , which is broken for you : this do in remembrance of me .
1 Cor 11: 24
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is for our redemption. Redeeming us unto Himself. We are saved not for our self realization or some religions label as enlightenment. We are saved unto God that we might fulfill His plan and purpose.
In whom we have redemption through his blood , the forgiveness of sins , according to the riches of his grace ;
Eph 1: 7
And when he had given thanks , he brake [it], and said , Take , eat : this is my body , which is broken for you : this do in remembrance of me .
1 Cor 11: 24
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is for our redemption. Redeeming us unto Himself. We are saved not for our self realization or some religions label as enlightenment. We are saved unto God that we might fulfill His plan and purpose.
In whom we have redemption through his blood , the forgiveness of sins , according to the riches of his grace ;
Eph 1: 7
Paul reveals to us that in Eph 1: 4 that from the even before the foundation of the world God has a plan. This plan and purpose of God is that we would be made holy and blameless. To live life without the guilt of any accusing finger is true liberty. Especially that the devil himself is called the accuser of the brethren and tirelessly pointing his accusing finger at the ones God has called to Himself as holy and blameless (Rev 12:10).
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world , that we should be holy and without blame before him in love : Eph 1: 4
Paul goes on to say that we have the liberty without accusations founded in love. To be loved of God is powerful and gives us every reason to stand against any accusations and temptations. As Jesus was declared the Beloved of the Father at His baptism, He was ready for the realities of the wilderness of life in facing temptations and half truths. The devil was smart enough to use words 'if you are the Son of God', leaving out 'Beloved'. Because he knows that once we come to grips that we are holy and blameless and Be-Loved of God, there lies our victory.
The sacrifices of blood was a foreshadow of good things which Christ completed on the cross. The former sacrifices reminds us of sin but our partaking of the Holy Communion is to remember Christ.
But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year . For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins . Heb 10: 3,4
No longer do we remember sin because there no longer any participation in it. It is as though remembering Christ sacrifice upon the cross bring a distaste of sin. There is no sacrifice we can offer to God in service or even our very lives that will suffice and will constantly bring the remembrance of sin. For our best works are like filthy rags before God and will still remind us of our frailty with regard to sin.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple , and said unto him , Behold , thou art made whole : sin no more , lest a worse thing come unto thee . John 5: 14
Jesus word finds us. Indeed it's possible because of the power of the Word gives us the hope! Jesus similarly said to the converted prostitute that He doesn't condemn. What a joy and hope for us because the accusing finger of the accuser of the brethren lost it's power as did Job, Joseph, our Lord, Stephen and Paul. We enter into God's grace rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.
We enter into the new life of holiness with boldness. It takes boldness to live a holy life because the world will reject us as Jesus was rejected. Would we rather be rejected by the world than be rejected by Christ for being ashamed in living the holy life?
Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin . Having therefore , brethren , boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus , By a new and living way , which he hath consecrated for us , through the veil , that is to say , his flesh ; Heb 10: 18-20
What then ? shall we sin , because we are not under the law , but under grace ? God forbid . Rom 6: 15
Don't degrade the power of God's grace. But rather know it's power as though an anti-septic to sin.
The participation of the Holy Communion as often as we celebrate, should cause us to remember Christ our Redeemer, find sin distasteful in the light of Christ ultimate sacrifice and the boldness to live the holy life.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Famine in the last days
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
(Mat 24:7)
We should not be ignorant of things that must happen as Jesus warned us. If we have been warned by our Lord, what should be our response?
We must not be troubled (Matt 24:6). These events need to take place as the beginning of sorrows, meaning a birthing of a greater plan in God’s divine will. The end of the sinful world will come and there will be the establishment of the reign and rule of Christ. Eventually restoration will take place with the new heavens and new earth (Rev 21:1, 2). We will not be troubled if we look forward to the coming of Christ. If our lives are rooted deeply in the world and hope for better things in it we are destined to be troubled.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
(1Jn 2:15-17)
The dividing line of being troubled or not is in the focus of our love. We can't choose between the Father and the world. Why attach ourselves to the world and it’s systems that will eventually be replaced with the eternal. A lot of us probably don’t look forward to Jesus’ second coming because we think that we haven’t gained or reaped what we desire for from the world. But the price for gaining even the whole world will result in a forfeiting of our souls! Loving the world also forfeits us of an eternal hope. The way that we measure ourselves and others are mostly by what we have reaped from the world (what status in society we hold, how big a car or how grand a house or how large is our bank account). If we measure ourselves by the world's standards than when God's plumbline (Amos 7:7,8) is put against us, where will we stand.
If we continue to live in the love of the world, then we are famished spiritually. Our spirits are not fed and weak.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(Luk 2:40)
The evidence of being strong in spirit is the filling of Godly wisdom and God’s grace upon us. Jesus was able to astonish the teachers of His time with His deep understanding. This understanding was so great that He lived a life pleasing His Father and was publicly declared as His beloved Son. How much we desire man’s praises rather than God’s. How much we desire love and admiration from people rather than God's. The grace or favor of God was so wonderful upon His life and people around Him saw the evidence of it. Many desire treasures, but few desire the favor of God. That accounts for the famine in the spirit.
I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
(1Jn 2:14b)
We need the Word of God to abide (dwell, remain, in-grain) in us in order to be strong. Lest we end up in the same situation of the prodigal son in famine, degraded to the base and be in desperation; eventually living defeated lives.
I Sam 3 is a sad documentation of where the Word of God was hard to come by. But God found the boy Samuel Whom He could share His broken heart with. So there was famine of God’s Word, but God wants so much to speak what is in His heart. The same occurs today, with the same offering of worship and supposed church life but the life giving Word lack. I believe that together with physical famine, a spiritual one will exist side by side.
May God raise Samuels who are found faithful to listen to His heart where there is spiritual famine.
May we be like Josephs (Gen 41:55) who was strong in spirit against circumstances and immorality that in the time of spiritual famine we can offer to others the bread of life and hope.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
(Mat 24:7)
We should not be ignorant of things that must happen as Jesus warned us. If we have been warned by our Lord, what should be our response?
We must not be troubled (Matt 24:6). These events need to take place as the beginning of sorrows, meaning a birthing of a greater plan in God’s divine will. The end of the sinful world will come and there will be the establishment of the reign and rule of Christ. Eventually restoration will take place with the new heavens and new earth (Rev 21:1, 2). We will not be troubled if we look forward to the coming of Christ. If our lives are rooted deeply in the world and hope for better things in it we are destined to be troubled.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
(1Jn 2:15-17)
The dividing line of being troubled or not is in the focus of our love. We can't choose between the Father and the world. Why attach ourselves to the world and it’s systems that will eventually be replaced with the eternal. A lot of us probably don’t look forward to Jesus’ second coming because we think that we haven’t gained or reaped what we desire for from the world. But the price for gaining even the whole world will result in a forfeiting of our souls! Loving the world also forfeits us of an eternal hope. The way that we measure ourselves and others are mostly by what we have reaped from the world (what status in society we hold, how big a car or how grand a house or how large is our bank account). If we measure ourselves by the world's standards than when God's plumbline (Amos 7:7,8) is put against us, where will we stand.
If we continue to live in the love of the world, then we are famished spiritually. Our spirits are not fed and weak.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(Luk 2:40)
The evidence of being strong in spirit is the filling of Godly wisdom and God’s grace upon us. Jesus was able to astonish the teachers of His time with His deep understanding. This understanding was so great that He lived a life pleasing His Father and was publicly declared as His beloved Son. How much we desire man’s praises rather than God’s. How much we desire love and admiration from people rather than God's. The grace or favor of God was so wonderful upon His life and people around Him saw the evidence of it. Many desire treasures, but few desire the favor of God. That accounts for the famine in the spirit.
I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
(1Jn 2:14b)
We need the Word of God to abide (dwell, remain, in-grain) in us in order to be strong. Lest we end up in the same situation of the prodigal son in famine, degraded to the base and be in desperation; eventually living defeated lives.
I Sam 3 is a sad documentation of where the Word of God was hard to come by. But God found the boy Samuel Whom He could share His broken heart with. So there was famine of God’s Word, but God wants so much to speak what is in His heart. The same occurs today, with the same offering of worship and supposed church life but the life giving Word lack. I believe that together with physical famine, a spiritual one will exist side by side.
May God raise Samuels who are found faithful to listen to His heart where there is spiritual famine.
May we be like Josephs (Gen 41:55) who was strong in spirit against circumstances and immorality that in the time of spiritual famine we can offer to others the bread of life and hope.
In the event of physical famine, this is where we will trust God to feed us miraculously as He did for Elijah.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
(Psa 37:25)
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FACTBOX - Facts and figures on world's worst food crises
Reuters - Tuesday marks World Food Day, with aid workers warning that war, weather, disease and deepening poverty leave more people hungry and in need of food aid each year just as rising prices make feeding them more expensive.
Below are some global statistics on food shortages and aid and a summary of some of the world's current food crises.
-- 854 million people worldwide do not have enough to eat, more than the combined populations of the United States, Canada and the European Union.
People line up for free porridge distributed by a Christian group outside a church in Manila October 16, 2007. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), part of the United Nations, marked World Food Day on October 16. (REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo)
-- In the 1990s, global poverty dropped by 20 percent, as the number of hungry people increased by 18 million.
-- Every five seconds a child dies because of hunger.
-- One in four children in developing countries is underweight.
AFRICA
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO -- widespread shortages persist despite the end of Africa's most destructive civil war, with the U.N. unable to reach a third of the 300,000 people newly displaced by renewed fighting in the east.
ETHIOPIA -- as Ethiopia's government fights a counter-insurgency campaign in its ethnic Somali Ogaden region, rebels accuse the government of "man-made famine" and aid workers say delivery of food aid to 600,000 people is patchy at best. The Red Cross and aid group MSF have both been expelled from the region.
LESOTHO and SWAZILAND -- the two southern African kingdoms are suffering drought, soil erosion and some of the world's highest HIV rates and have suffered serious shortages every year this decade.
MALAWI and ZAMBIA -- having suffered years of repeated shortages from drought, the impact of HIV and deepening poverty, both countries have reported a surplus this year after better weather and improved access to inputs such as fertiliser.
SOMALIA -- ongoing conflict and the worst drought in years combined to restrict access to aid agencies and commercial supply of food, particularly after the closure of the main market in the capital Mogadishu. The U.N. says there have been 13 deaths at WFP food distributions this year and the number of incidents is rising. Maritime aid shipments run the risk of piracy.
SUDAN -- despite growing insecurity aid workers continue to feed some 4 million people in need of assistance in Darfur, as well as others affected by the now ended conflict in the south and recent flooding.
UGANDA -- widespread flooding in northern Uganda, home to people displaced by conflict, has led to WFP airdrops of food. Some 250,000 people in camps did not receive their September rations because of flooding.
WEST AFRICA -- after serious shortages in the Sahel in 2005, West Africa is seen as having had a good agricultural year but aid workers warn pockets of shortage remain in countries such as Niger, which remain vulnerable to massive crop failures.
ZIMBABWE -- drought, HIV, economic and agricultural collapse have hit harvests and the U.N. sees food aid needs rising from a current one million people to 4 million by the end of the year.
ASIA
AFGHANISTAN -- despite ongoing conflict, Afghanistan has seen its best grain harvest in years.
NORTH KOREA -- still recovering from a devastating famine in the 1990s, North Korea this year suffered floods that damaged nearly a sixth of arable land. WFP is providing flood emergency food rations to 215,000 people.
SRI LANKA -- the resumption of civil war in 2006 restricted both commercial food deliveries and aid flows particularly to rebel Tamil Tiger areas in the north and east. The government-held northern Jaffna enclave has been effectively cut off for over a year, with rising prices and malnutrition rates.
MIDDLE EAST
IRAQ - food distribution in Iraq is difficult due to widespread violence, and AID agencies find it hard to reach the 2 million displaced within Iraq. Another 2 million people have fled mainly to neighbouring Syria and Jordan.
PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES -- some 2 million Palestinians receive food aid either from WFP or from the United Nations Refugee and Works Agency, which works with Palestinian refugees. Food aid has been allowed through Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip since the takeover by Islamist group Hamas. With Gaza unable to export, food stalls are unusually well-stocked but with the economy collapsing many are too poor to buy.
LATIN AMERICA
COLOMBIA -- with years of war giving Colombia one of the highest rates of displacement in the world, WFP feeds half a million people displaced by conflict.
SOURCES: United Nations World Food Programme, UNRWA, Reuters
"It is Not for Kings"
October 2007 Message from the Major Farr, Alert Cadet
Gentlemen,
Proverbs 31 is often thought of as the checklist for a godly woman. This is true for Proverbs 31:10-31, but tucked in verses 1-9 are the words of a wise mother to her son, the king.
Solomon did not write Proverbs 31, but rather King Lemuel recorded the words his mother taught him. Look at what the king remembers, "Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."
In my family we often talk about what a king is and does. I do this to prepare my children for future leadership positions, as God leads. King Lemuel's mother gave him three things to not do and three things to do. Let's look at them in detail.
King Lemuel was to not give his strength to women, nor drink wine, nor pervert justice. The first two represent activities that have the potential to destroy men and render them fruitless for God. In one hour a man can be reduced to a loaf of bread in a relationship with a woman who is not his wife as Proverbs 6:26 tells us. Fathers, it is imperative that we prepare our young men for the wiles of women who are bent on evil. I've found the first few chapters of Proverbs to be a very good introduction to this topic.
In the same way, wine and strong drink was to be avoided lest the king forget the law, or think he was above it. Having come from a family where my father was an alcoholic, I can personally attest to the issues created by strong drink. A king must constantly be above reproach and set the example, under the law. Nothing degrades a king's leadership faster than when he, himself, does not follow the rules he has set!
Kings also have the responsibility to not pervert justice. This is the usual result when a king is under the influence of strong drink. When the foolish are punished and the righteous rewarded, then a king further establishes his kingdom. If he does the opposite, then he will not long remain in power. God has effective ways to take care of foolish young men and foolish kings.
Now that we have looked at what not to do, the Scripture gives us clear things that a king (or future one) is to do. First, they are to open their mouths and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. While this may literally mean those who cannot speak, it also means those who have no forum to speak, such that those in authority will hear them and take action. The king must be physically amongst the people he rules so the he personally understand their needs and is ready to take appropriate action. The king cannot always sit in an ivory tower, or on the top floor of an office building, and rule effectively!
The second thing a king must do is judge righteously. When a king does this his kingdom is established, and the people rejoice as Proverbs 29:2 tells us, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." A king learns to judge righteously by reading and understanding the Scriptures. In fact, a requirement of Israel's kings was to copy, by hand, the Scriptures as Deuteronomy 17:18 says, "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:" Dads, it is imperative that you and your son spend time in God's word to learn wisdom and how to judge righteously.
Lastly, the king was to plead the cause of the poor and needy. Why? Let me suggest it was so that the king would not forget that many of those in his kingdom did not live the lifestyle afforded to him as king. It kept the king in touch with the needs of the people whom he served. Christ modeled this for us as well during His time on this earth. As my children grew up, I sought to have them work with and amongst children, and adults, who did not have the tangible possessions they had. In fact, we also had a yearly de-cluttering of our home and personally gave the items to families we knew were in need. Pleading the cause of the poor and needy, and doing something about it, is truly the mark of a king!
There you have it, wise words from a king's mother to you and me on how to raise a king, or future leader. Take these and apply them to your life and to the lives of your sons. And remember, the next time someone quotes Proverbs 31 as the standard for young ladies, think to yourself that it also contains wisdom on raising a future king!
May God have the glory for the work He is doing in our lives and the lives of our sons.
In Christ,
Roger D. Farr
ALERT Cadet Commanding Officer and Program Director
October 2007 Message from the Major Farr, Alert Cadet
Gentlemen,
Proverbs 31 is often thought of as the checklist for a godly woman. This is true for Proverbs 31:10-31, but tucked in verses 1-9 are the words of a wise mother to her son, the king.
Solomon did not write Proverbs 31, but rather King Lemuel recorded the words his mother taught him. Look at what the king remembers, "Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."
In my family we often talk about what a king is and does. I do this to prepare my children for future leadership positions, as God leads. King Lemuel's mother gave him three things to not do and three things to do. Let's look at them in detail.
King Lemuel was to not give his strength to women, nor drink wine, nor pervert justice. The first two represent activities that have the potential to destroy men and render them fruitless for God. In one hour a man can be reduced to a loaf of bread in a relationship with a woman who is not his wife as Proverbs 6:26 tells us. Fathers, it is imperative that we prepare our young men for the wiles of women who are bent on evil. I've found the first few chapters of Proverbs to be a very good introduction to this topic.
In the same way, wine and strong drink was to be avoided lest the king forget the law, or think he was above it. Having come from a family where my father was an alcoholic, I can personally attest to the issues created by strong drink. A king must constantly be above reproach and set the example, under the law. Nothing degrades a king's leadership faster than when he, himself, does not follow the rules he has set!
Kings also have the responsibility to not pervert justice. This is the usual result when a king is under the influence of strong drink. When the foolish are punished and the righteous rewarded, then a king further establishes his kingdom. If he does the opposite, then he will not long remain in power. God has effective ways to take care of foolish young men and foolish kings.
Now that we have looked at what not to do, the Scripture gives us clear things that a king (or future one) is to do. First, they are to open their mouths and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. While this may literally mean those who cannot speak, it also means those who have no forum to speak, such that those in authority will hear them and take action. The king must be physically amongst the people he rules so the he personally understand their needs and is ready to take appropriate action. The king cannot always sit in an ivory tower, or on the top floor of an office building, and rule effectively!
The second thing a king must do is judge righteously. When a king does this his kingdom is established, and the people rejoice as Proverbs 29:2 tells us, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." A king learns to judge righteously by reading and understanding the Scriptures. In fact, a requirement of Israel's kings was to copy, by hand, the Scriptures as Deuteronomy 17:18 says, "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:" Dads, it is imperative that you and your son spend time in God's word to learn wisdom and how to judge righteously.
Lastly, the king was to plead the cause of the poor and needy. Why? Let me suggest it was so that the king would not forget that many of those in his kingdom did not live the lifestyle afforded to him as king. It kept the king in touch with the needs of the people whom he served. Christ modeled this for us as well during His time on this earth. As my children grew up, I sought to have them work with and amongst children, and adults, who did not have the tangible possessions they had. In fact, we also had a yearly de-cluttering of our home and personally gave the items to families we knew were in need. Pleading the cause of the poor and needy, and doing something about it, is truly the mark of a king!
There you have it, wise words from a king's mother to you and me on how to raise a king, or future leader. Take these and apply them to your life and to the lives of your sons. And remember, the next time someone quotes Proverbs 31 as the standard for young ladies, think to yourself that it also contains wisdom on raising a future king!
May God have the glory for the work He is doing in our lives and the lives of our sons.
In Christ,
Roger D. Farr
ALERT Cadet Commanding Officer and Program Director
Friday, October 12, 2007
Let me die….
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
(Jdg 16:30)
These are the last words of Samson as a prayer to God. Having lived life as a Nazarite abstaining from wine and leaving his hair grow long. He was supposed to live a separated life unto the Lord. Though he was mighty in deeds but was weak in character. He couldn’t resist temptation of loose women.
This man’s life had 19% of the book of Judges written about his ministry. Most pictures we see of Samson were of a strong man, but in order to be extraordinary he must have been looked very ordinary with extraordinary strength. God uses the ordinary to show how extraordinary He is, that is why I think that he didn’t look like any super human being. The Jews during that time were probably small in stature which is why they were continually bullied. They had to know and know deep within that God was on their side and that He was the source of their victory. God shows us strength in our weakness.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
(Psa 51:10)
David was similarly weak when it comes to women and in his confession he cried out to God to give him a new heart not a renewed heart. It has to be a creative power of the Almighty to make such a change in our lives. His cry was also for a ‘right sprit’ which is a firm or steadfast spirit. When there is steadfastness in spirit, we can resist sin. This also requires the power of the Almighty to put it there.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Rom 8:1)
Sadly the second half of this verse to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit is grossly left out in the NIV.
The evidence of a strong, firm or steadfast spirit in us is the obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is the key to resist the flesh and it’s temptations that destroy us and our families. Proverbs constantly warn us about women that can destroy us and the lives of our families. Instead of walking after the flesh, the right thing to do is to carry the cross daily and following Jesus (Luke 9:23).
Can one even comprehend that pain in Samson working the grinding wheel day in, day out, knowing that his true destiny was to deliver his people from oppression? Wearing the chains that cut into his skin, the agony of pondering about what he has missed out in living out God’s will for his life. The latter pain must have been much greater. Having been blinded b y his captors, it was likely loosing the ability even to shed tears. Truly such pain of failure that no one can comprehend.
Finally, coming to an end of himself prayed the most powerful prayer in his entire life. In one moment of dying, killing more than he ever slew in his lifetime. God honored Samson by having his name listed in Hebrews 11 amongst the great heroes of faith. I believe that it was this final moment of his life that earned him this honor. In all the ‘great’ deeds of Samson’s life, he lived struggling with sin and the impact was small in comparison to the final moment when he cried ‘..let me die…’.
And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
(Jdg 16:30)
These are the last words of Samson as a prayer to God. Having lived life as a Nazarite abstaining from wine and leaving his hair grow long. He was supposed to live a separated life unto the Lord. Though he was mighty in deeds but was weak in character. He couldn’t resist temptation of loose women.
This man’s life had 19% of the book of Judges written about his ministry. Most pictures we see of Samson were of a strong man, but in order to be extraordinary he must have been looked very ordinary with extraordinary strength. God uses the ordinary to show how extraordinary He is, that is why I think that he didn’t look like any super human being. The Jews during that time were probably small in stature which is why they were continually bullied. They had to know and know deep within that God was on their side and that He was the source of their victory. God shows us strength in our weakness.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
(Psa 51:10)
David was similarly weak when it comes to women and in his confession he cried out to God to give him a new heart not a renewed heart. It has to be a creative power of the Almighty to make such a change in our lives. His cry was also for a ‘right sprit’ which is a firm or steadfast spirit. When there is steadfastness in spirit, we can resist sin. This also requires the power of the Almighty to put it there.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Rom 8:1)
Sadly the second half of this verse to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit is grossly left out in the NIV.
The evidence of a strong, firm or steadfast spirit in us is the obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is the key to resist the flesh and it’s temptations that destroy us and our families. Proverbs constantly warn us about women that can destroy us and the lives of our families. Instead of walking after the flesh, the right thing to do is to carry the cross daily and following Jesus (Luke 9:23).
Can one even comprehend that pain in Samson working the grinding wheel day in, day out, knowing that his true destiny was to deliver his people from oppression? Wearing the chains that cut into his skin, the agony of pondering about what he has missed out in living out God’s will for his life. The latter pain must have been much greater. Having been blinded b y his captors, it was likely loosing the ability even to shed tears. Truly such pain of failure that no one can comprehend.
Finally, coming to an end of himself prayed the most powerful prayer in his entire life. In one moment of dying, killing more than he ever slew in his lifetime. God honored Samson by having his name listed in Hebrews 11 amongst the great heroes of faith. I believe that it was this final moment of his life that earned him this honor. In all the ‘great’ deeds of Samson’s life, he lived struggling with sin and the impact was small in comparison to the final moment when he cried ‘..let me die…’.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Creativity
Adapted from IBLP's 'The Power of true success. How to build character in your life'
Definition: Creativity is cultivating wise thoughts, prudent words and skillful actions to carry out God's will
1. Root word
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his [own] image , in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Created: Bara; form, shape, fashion
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Formed: Yatsar; squeezing into shape, as with a potter forming a clay vessel
2. Importance of Creativity
A. Evidence of God working in our lives
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works , which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them .
- We are God's handiwork, not just physically but more so spiritually. As God being the Potter and we being clay. The beauty of the handiwork is dependent on how much we yield to God, not so much on us
- We are created for Good Works. Not saved by good works but rather saved for it. Our salvation is God's creation (2 Cor 5:17), old passed away and all things in our life becoming new.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind , that ye may prove what [is] that good , and acceptable , and perfect , will of God .
- It is beyond just changing our minds but renewing it!
- We know how the much effect the creative power of God working in us by how much we don't conform to the patterns of this world (ideas, values that are contrary to the ways of the Spirit, Rom 8:1)
B. The Father is glorified
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father which is in heaven .
First Westminster Confession states that the chief aim of man is to glorify God
1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink , or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God .
3. What is the source of creativity?
A. Creativity is activated by thought as God determined in the counsel of His will to create whole of creation, provide a Redeemer and establish good works for believers to follow
1 Pet 1:19, 20, Eph 1:4, Titus 2 and Eph 2:10
B. Our creativity if not based on Scripture, the results would produce selfishness or evil. Therefore we need a renewed mind (Rom 12:2).
C. Creativity is energized when thoughts are expressed in words
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light : and there was light .
Prov 18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- God warns us that every word we speak must be carefully chosen before we speak
4. How can I increase my creativity?
A. Know the Source of creativity
Prov 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence , and find out knowledge of witty inventions .
B. Ask the Creator for wisdom
Jam 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom , let him ask of God , that giveth to all [men] liberally , and upbraideth not ; and it shall be given him .
C. Ask in faith
Jam 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering . For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
D. Even cry to our Creator for Wisdom
Prov 3:3-6 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge , [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding ; If thou seekest her as silver , and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures ; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD , and find the knowledge of God . For the LORD giveth wisdom : out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding .
E. The ultimate source of wisdom is God's Word
Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth ; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night , that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous , and then thou shalt have good success .
Prosperous: Good, profitable, progress to God and man
Success: Prudent, circumspect, insight
Notice that the result is neither selfish nor evil but ultimately glories God!
Adapted from IBLP's 'The Power of true success. How to build character in your life'
Definition: Creativity is cultivating wise thoughts, prudent words and skillful actions to carry out God's will
1. Root word
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his [own] image , in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Created: Bara; form, shape, fashion
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Formed: Yatsar; squeezing into shape, as with a potter forming a clay vessel
2. Importance of Creativity
A. Evidence of God working in our lives
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works , which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them .
- We are God's handiwork, not just physically but more so spiritually. As God being the Potter and we being clay. The beauty of the handiwork is dependent on how much we yield to God, not so much on us
- We are created for Good Works. Not saved by good works but rather saved for it. Our salvation is God's creation (2 Cor 5:17), old passed away and all things in our life becoming new.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind , that ye may prove what [is] that good , and acceptable , and perfect , will of God .
- It is beyond just changing our minds but renewing it!
- We know how the much effect the creative power of God working in us by how much we don't conform to the patterns of this world (ideas, values that are contrary to the ways of the Spirit, Rom 8:1)
B. The Father is glorified
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men , that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father which is in heaven .
First Westminster Confession states that the chief aim of man is to glorify God
1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink , or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God .
3. What is the source of creativity?
A. Creativity is activated by thought as God determined in the counsel of His will to create whole of creation, provide a Redeemer and establish good works for believers to follow
1 Pet 1:19, 20, Eph 1:4, Titus 2 and Eph 2:10
B. Our creativity if not based on Scripture, the results would produce selfishness or evil. Therefore we need a renewed mind (Rom 12:2).
C. Creativity is energized when thoughts are expressed in words
Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light : and there was light .
Prov 18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- God warns us that every word we speak must be carefully chosen before we speak
4. How can I increase my creativity?
A. Know the Source of creativity
Prov 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence , and find out knowledge of witty inventions .
B. Ask the Creator for wisdom
Jam 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom , let him ask of God , that giveth to all [men] liberally , and upbraideth not ; and it shall be given him .
C. Ask in faith
Jam 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering . For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
D. Even cry to our Creator for Wisdom
Prov 3:3-6 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge , [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding ; If thou seekest her as silver , and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures ; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD , and find the knowledge of God . For the LORD giveth wisdom : out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding .
E. The ultimate source of wisdom is God's Word
Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth ; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night , that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous , and then thou shalt have good success .
Prosperous: Good, profitable, progress to God and man
Success: Prudent, circumspect, insight
Notice that the result is neither selfish nor evil but ultimately glories God!
Monday, September 24, 2007
30 Pieces of Silver
Exo 30:
32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant ; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver , and the ox shall be stoned .
The price of a slave or servant gored by an ox in restitution is 30 shekels or silver pieces. Strangely this is the only case when monetary compensation suffices instead of capital punishment for causing death of a person. Could it be that the religious system that murdered the Son of God found a loop hole to clear their blood guilty conscience? Or did the Almighty God, full of Wisdom and knowledge purposely give us this as a revealing our true worth?
Matt 26:
15 And said [unto them], What will ye give me , and I will deliver him unto you ? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver .
The cost of the price for the life of the Son of God was also 30 pieces of silver, the price for restitution of a slave gored by an animal. That is how much the religious system during Jesus time valued His life. I wonder how much we value the life of the Son of God in us or we devalue Him in our own ‘religious’ standards to merely being provider, protector, healer, etc? Could it be that the life we now live, we live for ourselves and not for the Son of God Who gave His life for us?
Rom 1:
1 Paul, a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
The antithetical Christian life is lived out as a slave of Jesus Christ, separated, not conform to the pattern of this world. We are slaves that don't have rights but experience the full impact of the Gospel of being dead to the old life and a new creation. This means a surrendered life of saying with all transparency to ‘let Thy will be done’. Our true liberty lies in being saved from slavery of the world and of the devil into the Mastery of Christ.
Heb 11:
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy :) they wandered in deserts , and [in] mountains , and [in] dens and caves of the earth .
The antithetical life, we will find out the hard-cold truth that we are not valued by the world or its religious system. If we are counted as worthy by the world, then the danger of being stained and counted as unworthy (Rev 3:4) is before us.
If as Christians we dare say that ‘…..Christ liveth in me… (Gal 2:20), what is the value of the life that we live? True value of life is found on our pilgrimage in discovering more and more of the worldly standards of life as dung (Phil 3:8). Are we willing to be valued at the cost of 30 pieces of silver?
Exo 30:
32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant ; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver , and the ox shall be stoned .
The price of a slave or servant gored by an ox in restitution is 30 shekels or silver pieces. Strangely this is the only case when monetary compensation suffices instead of capital punishment for causing death of a person. Could it be that the religious system that murdered the Son of God found a loop hole to clear their blood guilty conscience? Or did the Almighty God, full of Wisdom and knowledge purposely give us this as a revealing our true worth?
Matt 26:
15 And said [unto them], What will ye give me , and I will deliver him unto you ? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver .
The cost of the price for the life of the Son of God was also 30 pieces of silver, the price for restitution of a slave gored by an animal. That is how much the religious system during Jesus time valued His life. I wonder how much we value the life of the Son of God in us or we devalue Him in our own ‘religious’ standards to merely being provider, protector, healer, etc? Could it be that the life we now live, we live for ourselves and not for the Son of God Who gave His life for us?
Rom 1:
1 Paul, a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
The antithetical Christian life is lived out as a slave of Jesus Christ, separated, not conform to the pattern of this world. We are slaves that don't have rights but experience the full impact of the Gospel of being dead to the old life and a new creation. This means a surrendered life of saying with all transparency to ‘let Thy will be done’. Our true liberty lies in being saved from slavery of the world and of the devil into the Mastery of Christ.
Heb 11:
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy :) they wandered in deserts , and [in] mountains , and [in] dens and caves of the earth .
The antithetical life, we will find out the hard-cold truth that we are not valued by the world or its religious system. If we are counted as worthy by the world, then the danger of being stained and counted as unworthy (Rev 3:4) is before us.
If as Christians we dare say that ‘…..Christ liveth in me… (Gal 2:20), what is the value of the life that we live? True value of life is found on our pilgrimage in discovering more and more of the worldly standards of life as dung (Phil 3:8). Are we willing to be valued at the cost of 30 pieces of silver?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Folks,
I am not sure how you read the news. Do we read it as though it'll not happen to me? Or do we read it and feel God's grief.
The recent wickedness of rapes, murders, arson, cheating, bribe, corruption, etc appearing more and more in the last few years. What! These things were unheard of. The wave of wickedness is increasing.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/19/nation/18927373&sec=nation&focus=1
May we learn to stand before God and cry out for mercy lest judgement fall upon Malaysia.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
(Rom 1:28-32)
The way this verse was written is as though God has given up that is why 'He gave them over.......'. Please fast and pray that God will not overlook this nation. That the effectual fervent prayer of righteous men and women in our land will avail much to fight and triumph over forces of darkness that is driving many to deprave acts.
I am not sure how you read the news. Do we read it as though it'll not happen to me? Or do we read it and feel God's grief.
What stirs within our minds and hearts when we read of a 9 to 13 year old (as of now the identify of the girl has not been clear) that was raped, murdered, enduring such agony and pain unto death?
Are we so busy with ourselves and concerns that we don't see life as God would see it? Or we continue to live as in the days of Noah as though God isn't watching?The recent wickedness of rapes, murders, arson, cheating, bribe, corruption, etc appearing more and more in the last few years. What! These things were unheard of. The wave of wickedness is increasing.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/19/nation/18927373&sec=nation&focus=1
May we learn to stand before God and cry out for mercy lest judgement fall upon Malaysia.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
(Rom 1:28-32)
The way this verse was written is as though God has given up that is why 'He gave them over.......'. Please fast and pray that God will not overlook this nation. That the effectual fervent prayer of righteous men and women in our land will avail much to fight and triumph over forces of darkness that is driving many to deprave acts.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The turning of God’s grace into lewdness
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Jud 1:4)
The Epistle of Jude is generally titled as ‘Contending for the Faith’ as Jude wrote in Jude 1:3. In fact, he uses the word ‘content earnestly’, which indicates effort on the believer’s behalf to stand for their moral convictions or truthfulness of their God. We are then never to let our guard down as though in a situation of war.
The contention for the faith requires watchfulness of ‘certain’ men who managed to maneuver their way into acceptability in the church. As wolf in sheep’s clothing seeking to corrupt the Grace of our God, turning the heavenly value of His Grace into a common thing. It is as though there have been a downgrading of the standards of God’s grace and dragging it down to the level of lasciviousness or lewdness. It causes the grace that brought us salvation, out of darkness into His marvelous light; the deliverance from God’s wrath to be devalued to a license to sin (licentiousness). This is the spirit of the end times that Jesus talks about as lawlessness (Matt 24:12) or Antinomianism. This certain men bring with them a destructive teaching upon themselves and on those who follow their folly (2 Pet 2:1). There is no such thing as exemption from the morals of God; even Jesus declared that He came to fulfill the law and not to destroy it but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17).
The liberty that we obtained by God’s grace is the liberty NOT to sin. Once we were slaves to sin, but now am free! Once we were so wretched in sin that it cost God His only begotten Son and the Son of God His life to bring about propitiation for sin. Propitiation: meaning the placating of God’s wrath for sin by Jesus bearing the full brunt of it on the cross. Liberty in the eyes of the great apostles was to be free from the slavery of the devil into the mastery of Jesus Christ, thus calling themselves bond servants of Jesus Christ. It is in the Mastery of Christ upon our lives that we find true liberty.
Another point of liberty that we as believers have is the ability to forgive others as we have been forgiven. This is probably one of the biggest struggles that we will have in our pilgrimage. Jesus included forgiveness as one of the elements in the prayer He taught us in Matt 6, also because in forgiving others the Father will also forgive us. Being able to forgive removes the root of bitterness from our lives, which actually makes us more miserable than the person we can’t forgive.
Our liberty also gives us the possibility of being meek, pure in heart, as peacemakers, being poor in spirit, etc. These come with promises of being blessed of happiness. No longer will our pursuit of happiness be in vain, but our hope is sure.
When the grace of God is devalued to ‘common’ instead of heavenly there will be the denial of the Lordship of God upon our lives. Jude aptly puts it as ‘denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ’. The double mention of Lord is significance for us to consider seriously.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(Jud 1:19-21)
Jude gives us sound advice as to living in the last days in contending for our faith. We are encouraged to build ourselves us in the most holy faith. The prior verse tells us to separate ourselves from sensuality (gratification of the flesh) and live in the Spirit where there is no condemnation (Rom 8:1). Building a strong spirit requires feeding the spirit man by His Word. Feeding our flesh with things that gratify it will inevitably ‘grow’ the flesh which will eventually overcome the spirit life.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
(Joh 6:63)
Secondly, praying in the spirit is a continuous action. This means that our prayers have to be Holy Spirit influenced and guided. How else will we learn to pray that way unless we first have an ongoing growing relationship with our Father (for God is Spirit, John 4:24)?
Thirdly, keep ourselves in the love of God is not by our own strength. We stay in the position to be loved of God as Jesus did for 30 years and finally Heaven’s open and declared the love of the Father over the Son. The only hint of Jesus life in the 30 hidden years was the temple incident at the age of 12. That short section of Scripture gives tell us that He was about Father’s business, concerns and priorities (Luke 2:49).
Lastly, in looking for the Lord’s mercy unto eternal life for mercy is of God (1 Pet 2:10). We can’t earn God’s mercy. But the proof of having God’s mercy is when we are merciful (Matt 5:7). God always command us to show mercy to the fatherless and widows. How else can there be purity of our belief in God?
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(Jas 1:27)
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Jud 1:4)
The Epistle of Jude is generally titled as ‘Contending for the Faith’ as Jude wrote in Jude 1:3. In fact, he uses the word ‘content earnestly’, which indicates effort on the believer’s behalf to stand for their moral convictions or truthfulness of their God. We are then never to let our guard down as though in a situation of war.
The contention for the faith requires watchfulness of ‘certain’ men who managed to maneuver their way into acceptability in the church. As wolf in sheep’s clothing seeking to corrupt the Grace of our God, turning the heavenly value of His Grace into a common thing. It is as though there have been a downgrading of the standards of God’s grace and dragging it down to the level of lasciviousness or lewdness. It causes the grace that brought us salvation, out of darkness into His marvelous light; the deliverance from God’s wrath to be devalued to a license to sin (licentiousness). This is the spirit of the end times that Jesus talks about as lawlessness (Matt 24:12) or Antinomianism. This certain men bring with them a destructive teaching upon themselves and on those who follow their folly (2 Pet 2:1). There is no such thing as exemption from the morals of God; even Jesus declared that He came to fulfill the law and not to destroy it but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17).
The liberty that we obtained by God’s grace is the liberty NOT to sin. Once we were slaves to sin, but now am free! Once we were so wretched in sin that it cost God His only begotten Son and the Son of God His life to bring about propitiation for sin. Propitiation: meaning the placating of God’s wrath for sin by Jesus bearing the full brunt of it on the cross. Liberty in the eyes of the great apostles was to be free from the slavery of the devil into the mastery of Jesus Christ, thus calling themselves bond servants of Jesus Christ. It is in the Mastery of Christ upon our lives that we find true liberty.
Another point of liberty that we as believers have is the ability to forgive others as we have been forgiven. This is probably one of the biggest struggles that we will have in our pilgrimage. Jesus included forgiveness as one of the elements in the prayer He taught us in Matt 6, also because in forgiving others the Father will also forgive us. Being able to forgive removes the root of bitterness from our lives, which actually makes us more miserable than the person we can’t forgive.
Our liberty also gives us the possibility of being meek, pure in heart, as peacemakers, being poor in spirit, etc. These come with promises of being blessed of happiness. No longer will our pursuit of happiness be in vain, but our hope is sure.
When the grace of God is devalued to ‘common’ instead of heavenly there will be the denial of the Lordship of God upon our lives. Jude aptly puts it as ‘denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ’. The double mention of Lord is significance for us to consider seriously.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(Jud 1:19-21)
Jude gives us sound advice as to living in the last days in contending for our faith. We are encouraged to build ourselves us in the most holy faith. The prior verse tells us to separate ourselves from sensuality (gratification of the flesh) and live in the Spirit where there is no condemnation (Rom 8:1). Building a strong spirit requires feeding the spirit man by His Word. Feeding our flesh with things that gratify it will inevitably ‘grow’ the flesh which will eventually overcome the spirit life.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
(Joh 6:63)
Secondly, praying in the spirit is a continuous action. This means that our prayers have to be Holy Spirit influenced and guided. How else will we learn to pray that way unless we first have an ongoing growing relationship with our Father (for God is Spirit, John 4:24)?
Thirdly, keep ourselves in the love of God is not by our own strength. We stay in the position to be loved of God as Jesus did for 30 years and finally Heaven’s open and declared the love of the Father over the Son. The only hint of Jesus life in the 30 hidden years was the temple incident at the age of 12. That short section of Scripture gives tell us that He was about Father’s business, concerns and priorities (Luke 2:49).
Lastly, in looking for the Lord’s mercy unto eternal life for mercy is of God (1 Pet 2:10). We can’t earn God’s mercy. But the proof of having God’s mercy is when we are merciful (Matt 5:7). God always command us to show mercy to the fatherless and widows. How else can there be purity of our belief in God?
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(Jas 1:27)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Earthquakes in the last days
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
(Mat 24:7-8)
Have you ever wondered why of all the natural disasters Jesus said that earthquakes will happen in the last days? It was recorded faithfully for us in Matthew, Mark and Luke gospels. Bearing a warning to us who are now living in the last days. The signs are already written on the wall, do we heed or just brush aside as in the days of Noah when he preached righteousness and impending God's judgement but no one took note of. The nations of Israel and Judah shut the prophetic voice by asking them to say only things they wanted to hear, or messages that can be 'accepted' by the general public. Doesn't this ring in by a large majority of our churches. Of course the message of 'Peace, peace' and prosperity will bring in the numbers but how many will survive the end times without being deceived? Jesus Himself said that many are called, few are chosen.
Wed Sep 12, 11:48 AM ET (Reuters)
A powerful quake measuring 8.2 struck near Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday triggering tsunami warnings in Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka, officials said.
Here is a chronology of some earthquakes in recent years:
Dec 12, 1992 - INDONESIA - A magnitude 6.8 quake killed at least 2,200 people on a string of islands in the province of East Nusa Tenggara.
Sept 30, 1993 - INDIA - A series of quakes killed almost 10,000 people in western and southern India. The first tremor was of magnitude 6.4.
June 6, 1994 - COLOMBIA - A quake brought down buildings and triggered mudslides, killing about 1,000 people in the Paez River valley in southwestern Colombia.
Jan 17, 1995 - JAPAN - A magnitude 7.2 quake, the country's worst in half a century, rocks Kobe, killing 6,430 people.
May 28, 1995 - RUSSIA - Russia's worst earthquake, magnitude 7.5, kills 1,989 people in the oil-producing Far East.
Feb 28, 1997 - IRAN - A magnitude 5.5 quake kills about 1,000 people in northwestern Iran.
May 10, 1997 - IRAN - A magnitude 7.1 quake kills 1,560 people in rural areas of eastern Iran near the Afghan border.
Feb 4, 1998 - AFGHANISTAN - At least 4,500 people are killed in Takhar province in a quake of magnitude 6.1.
May 30, 1998 - AFGHANISTAN - A magnitude 6.9 quake kills up to 4,000 people in northern Takhar province.
July 17, 1998 - PAPUA NEW GUINEA - An undersea quake of magnitude 7.1 creates three tsunami waves, killing at least 2,100 people.
Aug 17, 1999 - TURKEY - More than 17,800 people are killed by a magnitude 7.4 quake.
Sept 21, 1999 - TAIWAN - At least 2,000 people are killed and hundreds of thousands made homeless by a magnitude 7.6 quake in central Taiwan.
Jan 26, 2001 - INDIA - An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 strikes the western state of Gujarat killing at least 19,700 people and causing damage in neighbouring Pakistan. The quake affected 15.9 million people in 7,904 villages.
March 26, 2002 - AFGHANISTAN - At least 1,500 people are killed when a series of quakes of between magnitude five and six strike northern Afghanistan
May 21, 2003 - ALGERIA - A magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes Algiers and nearby towns to the east, killing 2,251 and injuring 10,243.
Dec 26, 2003 - IRAN - A magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km (600 miles) southeast of Tehran. 30,948 were killed in the quake.
Dec 26, 2004 - ASIA - The number of dead and missing in an Asian earthquake and tsunami is almost 230,000. The wave crashed into Sri Lanka and India, drowning thousands and swamping tourist isles in Thailand and the Maldives. The quake measured 9.15 in magnitude.
March 28, 2005 - INDONESIA - Nearly 1,000 people are killed after a quake of magnitude 8.7 struck the coast of Sumatra.
Oct 8, 2005 - PAKISTAN - At least 73,000 people are killed by a 7.6 magnitude quake that struck about 95 km (60 miles) northeast of Islamabad. The quake also rocked Indian Kashmir, killing 1,244 there.
March 31, 2006 - IRAN - An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale hits the area of Doroud and Boroujerd in the western Lorestan province, killing at least 70 people.
March 6, 2007 - INDONESIA - A 6.4 magnitude quake and another measuring 6.3 in Sumatra kill more than 70 people.
July 16, 2007 - JAPAN - A 6.8 magnitude quake killed 10 people in northwestern Japan and shut the world's largest nuclear power plant.
Aug 15, 2007 - PERU - An 8.0 magnitude quake killed more than 500 people and destroyed about 34,000 homes on central coast.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
(Mat 24:7-8)
Have you ever wondered why of all the natural disasters Jesus said that earthquakes will happen in the last days? It was recorded faithfully for us in Matthew, Mark and Luke gospels. Bearing a warning to us who are now living in the last days. The signs are already written on the wall, do we heed or just brush aside as in the days of Noah when he preached righteousness and impending God's judgement but no one took note of. The nations of Israel and Judah shut the prophetic voice by asking them to say only things they wanted to hear, or messages that can be 'accepted' by the general public. Doesn't this ring in by a large majority of our churches. Of course the message of 'Peace, peace' and prosperity will bring in the numbers but how many will survive the end times without being deceived? Jesus Himself said that many are called, few are chosen.
There were 25 major earthquakes including yesterday's Sumatra earthquake averaging above one and half quakes per year. Is there an increase of this 'natural' phenomena?
But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
(Num 16:30)
The first mention of an earthquake is the earth opening up and swallowing Korah, his fellow conspirators and their families. The rebellion seems to be against Moses and his leadership but it provoked the Lord to anger and judgement. Moses is identified in the Bible with the law and rebelling against the law is then considered lawlessness. Jesus warned us in Matt 24:12 that lawlessness will abound and love of many will grow cold. If we look at Korah's rebellion and what Jesus' warning in Matt 24, in the last days one of the disasters would be earthquakes in diverse places, meaning earthquakes are signs of God's judgement for lawlessness.
The Taiwan earthquake almost shutdown the fiber optic link between Asia and the Americas. Guess what level of lawlessness is in the internet these days. Is God sending a message through the earthquake, or is it His divine
judgement.The recent case of a so-called ordained pastor of the homosexual church in Malaysia is another sign of lawlessness. If pastors don't teach the law (some reject the 10 Commandments) how will the body know what is good and acceptable to God? We can't reject the moral laws of God lest judgement come upon our land.
May we rise up as watchmen to pray that righteousness will exalt our nation that lawlessness will not abound in our land.
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CHRONOLOGY - Earthquakes worldwide in recent yearsWed Sep 12, 11:48 AM ET (Reuters)
A powerful quake measuring 8.2 struck near Indonesia's Sumatra island on Wednesday triggering tsunami warnings in Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka, officials said.
Here is a chronology of some earthquakes in recent years:
Dec 12, 1992 - INDONESIA - A magnitude 6.8 quake killed at least 2,200 people on a string of islands in the province of East Nusa Tenggara.
Sept 30, 1993 - INDIA - A series of quakes killed almost 10,000 people in western and southern India. The first tremor was of magnitude 6.4.
June 6, 1994 - COLOMBIA - A quake brought down buildings and triggered mudslides, killing about 1,000 people in the Paez River valley in southwestern Colombia.
Jan 17, 1995 - JAPAN - A magnitude 7.2 quake, the country's worst in half a century, rocks Kobe, killing 6,430 people.
May 28, 1995 - RUSSIA - Russia's worst earthquake, magnitude 7.5, kills 1,989 people in the oil-producing Far East.
Feb 28, 1997 - IRAN - A magnitude 5.5 quake kills about 1,000 people in northwestern Iran.
May 10, 1997 - IRAN - A magnitude 7.1 quake kills 1,560 people in rural areas of eastern Iran near the Afghan border.
Feb 4, 1998 - AFGHANISTAN - At least 4,500 people are killed in Takhar province in a quake of magnitude 6.1.
May 30, 1998 - AFGHANISTAN - A magnitude 6.9 quake kills up to 4,000 people in northern Takhar province.
July 17, 1998 - PAPUA NEW GUINEA - An undersea quake of magnitude 7.1 creates three tsunami waves, killing at least 2,100 people.
Aug 17, 1999 - TURKEY - More than 17,800 people are killed by a magnitude 7.4 quake.
Sept 21, 1999 - TAIWAN - At least 2,000 people are killed and hundreds of thousands made homeless by a magnitude 7.6 quake in central Taiwan.
Jan 26, 2001 - INDIA - An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 strikes the western state of Gujarat killing at least 19,700 people and causing damage in neighbouring Pakistan. The quake affected 15.9 million people in 7,904 villages.
March 26, 2002 - AFGHANISTAN - At least 1,500 people are killed when a series of quakes of between magnitude five and six strike northern Afghanistan
May 21, 2003 - ALGERIA - A magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes Algiers and nearby towns to the east, killing 2,251 and injuring 10,243.
Dec 26, 2003 - IRAN - A magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes the historic city of Bam, 1,000 km (600 miles) southeast of Tehran. 30,948 were killed in the quake.
Dec 26, 2004 - ASIA - The number of dead and missing in an Asian earthquake and tsunami is almost 230,000. The wave crashed into Sri Lanka and India, drowning thousands and swamping tourist isles in Thailand and the Maldives. The quake measured 9.15 in magnitude.
March 28, 2005 - INDONESIA - Nearly 1,000 people are killed after a quake of magnitude 8.7 struck the coast of Sumatra.
Oct 8, 2005 - PAKISTAN - At least 73,000 people are killed by a 7.6 magnitude quake that struck about 95 km (60 miles) northeast of Islamabad. The quake also rocked Indian Kashmir, killing 1,244 there.
March 31, 2006 - IRAN - An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale hits the area of Doroud and Boroujerd in the western Lorestan province, killing at least 70 people.
March 6, 2007 - INDONESIA - A 6.4 magnitude quake and another measuring 6.3 in Sumatra kill more than 70 people.
July 16, 2007 - JAPAN - A 6.8 magnitude quake killed 10 people in northwestern Japan and shut the world's largest nuclear power plant.
Aug 15, 2007 - PERU - An 8.0 magnitude quake killed more than 500 people and destroyed about 34,000 homes on central coast.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Asia-Pacific mental disorders increasing fast, expert says (AFP 12 Sep 2007)
Some of you may have heard Ps. Susan preached about this some years ago..... may we, as the church of Jesus Christ prepare ourselves against the flood of evil which is driving many into mental problems. If the Kingdom of God is about Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit, then this is the solution to keep our minds sane. That is why we need the Apostolic to prepare the church for what is ahead. Sadly, the Apostolic ministry has been brushed aside by majority of the 'modern day' church who settle for intellect and reasoning.
As the true Church of Jesus Christ who entered the narrow gate and walk along the difficult path, we will be salt and light the world. If we keep preaching, sharing and emphasizing on the external blessings of God, this is not the solution to mental or deep set time bombs.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
(Isa 26:3)
Those who crave after the external, don't have the Spirit. Those who have the Spirit will produce Fruit thereof (Gal 5:22-25) which are the ones that live crucified to the flesh. Life in the Spirit is one that doesn't live under condemnation but one of life and peace (Rom 8)! Crucifying the flesh takes a life time pilgrimage, as long we endeavor to walk that straight and narrow we will reach our final destination of Heavenly Mansions which Jesus said that He has gone ahead to prepare. Not reduction of the external as some perceive it to be, but the increase of the Christ as our self-life decrease (John 3:30). 'I must...', it's a matter of our will in order for the increase of Christ to take place.
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
(Jud 1:19)
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by Park Chan-Kyong Tue Sep 11, 1:50 AM ET
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea (AFP) - The incidence of mental health problems is rising rapidly in the Asia-Pacific, putting a major burden on individuals and societies, a World Health Organisation adviser said Tuesday.
"Mental and neurological disorders are a major issue in terms of the absolute number of patients and the diseases' burden," Wang Xiangdong, a mental health adviser, told AFP.
According to a WHO report, mental and neurological disorders in 2002 accounted for 17.6 percent of the total disease burden in the WHO's Western Pacific region, with depression alone responsible for more than six percent.
There were about 331,000 suicides in the region that year, the latest for which full data is available.
Worldwide, suicide accounts for 33 percent of all violent deaths among men and 57 percent among women, the WHO has said.
"They (mental and neurological disorders) create a major and unnecessary burden for individuals, communities and societies," the WHO's regional committee for the Western Pacific said in the report.
The committee is holding its annual meeting this week in South Korea's Jeju island.
Regional director Shigeru Omi, in a speech Monday, said the Western Pacific "continues to bear a disproportionate share of the world's suicide burden".
The report urges member states to note the "increasing trend of mental, behavioural, neurological and substance abuse".
It calls on member states to continue considering mental health as a priority "and to continue to increase political, financial, and technical commitment in order to address mental, behavioural and neurological diseases."
Wang said he believed the rise in the incidence of mental disease was faster than in other regions, but added it was not a priority for most member states.
The allocation for mental and neurological disorders is less than one percent of the total health budget in half of the countries and areas in the Western Pacific, according to the WHO.
A WHO survey conducted between 2001 and 2003 found that 76-85 percent of mental patients in less developed countries had received no treatment in the previous year, compared with 35-50 percent in developed countries.
"We cannot expect their health budgets to jump to match the disease's burden but clearly, one percent is not sufficient," Wang said.
He said many countries in the region lacked mental health policies or legislation. Many people believe mental disease is a remote risk until friends or family suddenly fall victim.
Social stigmas cause many people in the region not to seek help and make the problems worse, Wang said.
"Just like hypertension, you need full and continuous treatment for those diseases. Otherwise, you cannot prevent relapses. That's a very important point," he said.
Friday, September 07, 2007
False Teachers in the last days
The book of 2 Peter teaches us that in the last days we need good virtues to be an overcomer and secondly the warning with regard to false teachers
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(2Pe 1:20-21)
Interpretation of Scripture not exclusive to an individual, otherwise they become Gnostics claiming that they are the only ones receiving divine revelation. There isn’t any new revelation; even Solomon says that there is nothing new under the sun. God is not Schizophrenia with regard to His Word, Commandments and promises. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). If there are teachings that the preacher claim as new revelation contrary to classical theology or doctrine, it is best to stay away from such a person. Daniel say God as the Ancient of days (Dan 7), never expect God to change to accommodate and decide to become relevant in today’s society. God’s plumb line never changed and neither did His moral standards and requirements. Who are we to correct the Almighty and test His eternal Wisdom?
Marks of false teachers
1. Blinded by human reasoning and greed. Seeking unrighteous gain, not just being money by stealing glory and honor from God by heaping upon themselves recognition from man.
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
(2Pe 2:15-16)
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
(Jud 1:11)
Not just following the error of Balaam but having the same spirit of Cain who walked out of the Presence of God to dwell in Nod, meaning being a wanderer. A wanderer is never satisfied and cannot find a firm footing. The true footing of our faith is when God builds us upon the Rock when the storms hit and winds blow, we will prevail as overcomers. Cain was also pioneered cities where much evil and injustice lurks. False teachers not just heap upon themselves earthly gain and recognition but also build to show their strength and ability. We have to remember that to prevail against the gates of hell; it has to be Christ that does the building and not us. Let us not measure our ministry or faith but the bigness of the outward, but being a spiritual giant.
2. Fleshly and destitute of the Spirit
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
(2Pe 2:17)
There will be deep spiritual dryness that God and people cannot draw from. There is no life in the spirit. As the fig tree that was cursed by Jesus due to lack of fruits, the fruits we are to bear are of the Spirit for God to harvest (Gal 5 and Eph 5). Any intimacy bear fruit as with a marriage, thus our intimacy with the Holy Spirit produces fruits of the Spirit. There is also a tempest that the Prince of Peace cannot calm because He does not dwell there in the first place. Such is reserved the horror darkness, need I elaborate further.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(Rom 8:1-2)
False teacher preach against commendation and rightly so because in Christ there is not condemnation. But the condition of not living in condemnation is when we don’t walk after the gratification of the flesh but after the Spirit. Basically there is an over emphasis on the side of grace which is the receiving benefits we don’t deserve. There is another side of grace not much talked about is the ability to overcome.
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
(Psa 105:10)
Preachers of grace hit out against the moral law of God or the 10 commandments because they see the condemnation aspect. However to the transformed (Jacob and Israel are the same person, but the latter being the one transformed) the law becomes a covenant of life. As with a marriage, to the unmarried it appears to be a condemnation or restriction in relationship to the married it becomes of covenant with blessings and intimacy.
3. 'Logical' and superficial
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
(2Pe 2:18)
False teaches emphasize ‘what can you and I get out of this’ teaching, may it be blessing, healing, prosperity, blessing, etc. It serves to gratify the flesh for the Kingdom of God is not about that but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Again this emphasis is on the inward not the outward.
4. Perversion of true liberty
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
(2Pe 2:19-22)
The cross brought us freedom from sin but into the mastery of our Lord Jesus Christ. Either we have the devil as the father (together with his lusts) or we have the Heavenly Father (John 8:44).
‘In the midst of their talk of liberty, these men are the vilest slaves; their own lusts gain a complete victory over them, and they are actually in bondage. When men are entangled, they are easily overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them. A state of apostacy is worse than a state of ignorance.’
Matthew Henry
The correct preaching
True teachers and preachers of the Word of God focus on righteousness because as Jesus says in Matt 24, in the end days there will be lawlessness and love of many will grow cold. Rejection of the moral law of God will definitely lead to lawlessness, people choosing to live according to what they perceive is right. Love growing cold because instead of loving God and others, there is the love for self and gratifying of it. That is why we need God’s righteousness and teaching of it, for the gratification of self is insatiable. Jesus promised that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness WILL be satisfied (Matt 5:6). How else can we live a fulfilled life unless we seek first righteousness of God? Why settle for anything else that is secondary? Right teaching preserves us from doom when the door of the 'Ark' is closed by the sovereign hand of God in the coming of great flood of evil. There have been preaching that is said to touch felt needs, the true work that God wants to do in us is beyond that. It is the touching the core of our lives and touch the roots and if necessary to uproot the unrighteousness so that righteousness can be planted instead. The former 'touching' can address human felt needs but also addresses issues of life superficially.
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
(2Pe 2:5)
The book of 2 Peter teaches us that in the last days we need good virtues to be an overcomer and secondly the warning with regard to false teachers
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(2Pe 1:20-21)
Interpretation of Scripture not exclusive to an individual, otherwise they become Gnostics claiming that they are the only ones receiving divine revelation. There isn’t any new revelation; even Solomon says that there is nothing new under the sun. God is not Schizophrenia with regard to His Word, Commandments and promises. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). If there are teachings that the preacher claim as new revelation contrary to classical theology or doctrine, it is best to stay away from such a person. Daniel say God as the Ancient of days (Dan 7), never expect God to change to accommodate and decide to become relevant in today’s society. God’s plumb line never changed and neither did His moral standards and requirements. Who are we to correct the Almighty and test His eternal Wisdom?
Marks of false teachers
1. Blinded by human reasoning and greed. Seeking unrighteous gain, not just being money by stealing glory and honor from God by heaping upon themselves recognition from man.
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
(2Pe 2:15-16)
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
(Jud 1:11)
Not just following the error of Balaam but having the same spirit of Cain who walked out of the Presence of God to dwell in Nod, meaning being a wanderer. A wanderer is never satisfied and cannot find a firm footing. The true footing of our faith is when God builds us upon the Rock when the storms hit and winds blow, we will prevail as overcomers. Cain was also pioneered cities where much evil and injustice lurks. False teachers not just heap upon themselves earthly gain and recognition but also build to show their strength and ability. We have to remember that to prevail against the gates of hell; it has to be Christ that does the building and not us. Let us not measure our ministry or faith but the bigness of the outward, but being a spiritual giant.
2. Fleshly and destitute of the Spirit
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
(2Pe 2:17)
There will be deep spiritual dryness that God and people cannot draw from. There is no life in the spirit. As the fig tree that was cursed by Jesus due to lack of fruits, the fruits we are to bear are of the Spirit for God to harvest (Gal 5 and Eph 5). Any intimacy bear fruit as with a marriage, thus our intimacy with the Holy Spirit produces fruits of the Spirit. There is also a tempest that the Prince of Peace cannot calm because He does not dwell there in the first place. Such is reserved the horror darkness, need I elaborate further.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(Rom 8:1-2)
False teacher preach against commendation and rightly so because in Christ there is not condemnation. But the condition of not living in condemnation is when we don’t walk after the gratification of the flesh but after the Spirit. Basically there is an over emphasis on the side of grace which is the receiving benefits we don’t deserve. There is another side of grace not much talked about is the ability to overcome.
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
(Psa 105:10)
Preachers of grace hit out against the moral law of God or the 10 commandments because they see the condemnation aspect. However to the transformed (Jacob and Israel are the same person, but the latter being the one transformed) the law becomes a covenant of life. As with a marriage, to the unmarried it appears to be a condemnation or restriction in relationship to the married it becomes of covenant with blessings and intimacy.
3. 'Logical' and superficial
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
(2Pe 2:18)
False teaches emphasize ‘what can you and I get out of this’ teaching, may it be blessing, healing, prosperity, blessing, etc. It serves to gratify the flesh for the Kingdom of God is not about that but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Again this emphasis is on the inward not the outward.
4. Perversion of true liberty
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
(2Pe 2:19-22)
The cross brought us freedom from sin but into the mastery of our Lord Jesus Christ. Either we have the devil as the father (together with his lusts) or we have the Heavenly Father (John 8:44).
‘In the midst of their talk of liberty, these men are the vilest slaves; their own lusts gain a complete victory over them, and they are actually in bondage. When men are entangled, they are easily overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them. A state of apostacy is worse than a state of ignorance.’
Matthew Henry
The correct preaching
True teachers and preachers of the Word of God focus on righteousness because as Jesus says in Matt 24, in the end days there will be lawlessness and love of many will grow cold. Rejection of the moral law of God will definitely lead to lawlessness, people choosing to live according to what they perceive is right. Love growing cold because instead of loving God and others, there is the love for self and gratifying of it. That is why we need God’s righteousness and teaching of it, for the gratification of self is insatiable. Jesus promised that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness WILL be satisfied (Matt 5:6). How else can we live a fulfilled life unless we seek first righteousness of God? Why settle for anything else that is secondary? Right teaching preserves us from doom when the door of the 'Ark' is closed by the sovereign hand of God in the coming of great flood of evil. There have been preaching that is said to touch felt needs, the true work that God wants to do in us is beyond that. It is the touching the core of our lives and touch the roots and if necessary to uproot the unrighteousness so that righteousness can be planted instead. The former 'touching' can address human felt needs but also addresses issues of life superficially.
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
(2Pe 2:5)
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The Overcomer that know their God - Ps. Susan Tang
The series was taught at the 21st National Prayer Advance organized by Ps. Jean Lim and the Glory Place Prayer House.
The notes were compile by me some additional comments. Ps. Susan allows circulation of the audio CD. If you chose to receive a copy of the messages kindly send me an email.Timely messages for the End Times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overcomer that knows God
Hos 6:
3 Then shall we know , [if] we follow (pursue) on to know the LORD
Micah 5:
5 And this [man] shall be the peace , when the Assyrian shall come into our land : and when he shall tread in our palaces , then shall we raise against him seven shepherds (clergy) , and eight principal (laity) men . 6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword , and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver [us] from the Assyrian , when he cometh into our land , and when he treadeth within our borders .
Principal - life poured out as a libation before God. Willingness to be entire His, not given to any thing or to others. Willingness to even die for the God whom he or she loves.
David was one recorded in Scripture that poured out the Lord. He saw the preciousness of the water which were gotten at the hazard of men's blood, much more we value the shed blood of our Saviour, not neglecting so great a salvation. So David poured out a precious water and not indulging it. Self has been removed.
And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
(2Sa 23:16)
Similarly Samuel (1Sam5), Jesus (Isa 53:12), Mary (Matt 26) and Paul (2 Tim 4:6) who were willingly poured their lives out unto God. Not unto a ministry (as powerful as they had) nor unto people nor unto things, but unto the Lord. What are we pouring our live unto these days? Our church? Our families? Our children (He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Mat 10:37)). Our careers? Our selves? Martin Luther identified that the greater enemy is not the devil but self. Can we say of our lives that the life we now live we life by faith in the Son of God?
2 Tim 4:6
6 For I am now ready to be offered (poured out) , and the time of my departure is at hand .
Greatest strategy against the enemy in the end times are life poured out to God. God requires a faithfulness until death. Lives lived before God, not men nor ministry.
Building of a life poured unto the Lord
The bride revealed in Revelation; John beheld a city built by God (Babylon was built by man). Let God build into me. Men build things of gold & precious items, wood, hay, stubble (1 Cor 3:12) which men see value in. Cain was the first city builder. When Christ builds, the gates of hell cannot prevail. When men builds floods can come and destroy.
Rev 21:
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues , and talked with me , saying , Come hither , I will shew thee the bride , the Lamb's wife . 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain , and shewed me that great city , the holy Jerusalem , descending out of heaven from God ,
Jesus said that the floods have to come to test the 2 houses. On sand is fast, on rock takes a long time. Before the flood both houses are the same, different foundation. Praise God that Jesus builds His church that the gates of hell can't prevail. Who builds into our lives? Will our lives stand the floods? What is our foundation? Is it upon the Rock?
Jesus building us mostly will be in the mundane things of life. Slow but builds goodly character.
Building an overcomer is the same. It is the building in Christ and Him crucified. Those who will drink the same cup that Jesus drank. However the disciples were not the 'right' stock, but as we yield to Christ daily in due time we will rise to the occasion to drink the cup all the way to Calvary. The infused life of Christ begin with daily yielding. Then the resurrection power will take full force.
The poured out life beating back the flood of evil
Normally a father wouldn't curse a son. Ham's character aligned to his destiny as Noah knew. Cursed to be servant of servants.
Ham was cursed because of delight in nakedness, for God hates nakedness. Ham and Canaan did something to Noah, because he realized it. One of Ham's descendants was Nimrod known for sensuality and incest.
Culture of nakedness crept into the church. This is because of deficit in the knowledge of God.
In fact God warns that He will allow the disobedience to be stripped naked.
Even God don't want altars on high ground to not reveal nakedness.
Exo 20:
25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone , thou shalt not build it of hewn stone : for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. 26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar , that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
Nakedness is form of God's judgment, make shameful.
Hosea 2:
3 Lest I strip her naked , and set her as in the day that she was born , and make her as a wilderness , and set her like a dry land , and slay her with thirst .
A demon possessed were naked in the Bible.
Demonic culture (another gospel) has 4 features: materialism, sensuality, infidelity and atheism.
Sensuality creeping into the church in various forms arousing the flesh in the form of worship and 'what-can-I-get-out-of-God' attitude. Every blessing is to fed the insatiable flesh life.
Homosexuality, semi-nakedness are marks of beast. How has the church stood against this flood of evil in Malaysia lately? What stand have we taken to fight back this demonic culture.
Divorce is begining to be rampant in churches today.
It takes the 7 shepherds and 8 principle men to beat back the Assyrians (descendants of Ham).
Poured out lives are hidden from men's eyes
Elijah made the mistake of looking for God in the external, dramatic, atmosphere (earthquake, wind, fire). God rebuked him in a still small voice. We have quiet down to hear, inward disposition to hear. We need to develop a spiritual ear to hear.
Our values and priorities bespeak our vision and mission. Jesus says His meat to do the will of God, where is our nourishment. If we are at the place of God's will we will feel inner satisfaction. Same with Cain leaving the presence of God and became an insatiable wanderer.
1 Kings 19.
The still small voice shook Elijah up!
Elijah and Elisha was said stood before God. Samuel ministered before God. Therefore we can live without secret sin and don't impress anyone!
Hosea speaks of the spirit of harlotry, infidelity in the church
The whore is contaminated Christianity deceiving great peoples, theologians, etc. Sin of Jeroboam. Counterfeit worship. Religion of convenience and compromise.
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials , and talked with me , saying unto me , Come hither ; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters : 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication , and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication . 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness : and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast , full of names of blasphemy , having seven heads and ten horns . 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour , and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls , having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication : 5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written , MYSTERY , BABYLON THE GREAT , THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH . 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints , and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus : and when I saw her , I wondered with great admiration . 7 And the angel said unto me , Wherefore didst thou marvel ? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman , and of the beast that carrieth her , which hath the seven heads and ten horns .
Don't be mezmerized by excellent external! False church make martyrs.
God favor Simeon and Anna's who hid themselves from public eyes and ministered before God as watchman.
Hos 6:
5 Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets ; I have slain them by the words of my mouth : and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth . 6 For I desired mercy , and not sacrifice ; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings . 7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant : there have they dealt treacherously against me.
We should learn that God's heart can be broken, desiring mercy over judgment.
Hos 4:
1 Hear the word of the LORD , ye children of Israel : for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land , because [there is] no truth , nor mercy , nor knowledge of God in the land . 2 By swearing , and lying , and killing , and stealing , and committing adultery , they break out , and blood toucheth blood .
People who break out having no restrain, only the cross can restrain us. Annoiting alone can't restrain us which accounts for many 'annoited' individuals falling into the flesh of adultery and excesses.
The value of the land devalue because of the peoples sins. We have to add value to our land by fighting off the flood of evil.
Hos 4:
3 Therefore shall the land mourn , and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish , with the beasts of the field , and with the fowls of heaven ; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away .
Minds of children taken up by others and not God. News can say that 1 in 5 children have mental problems.
Hos 4:
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge : because thou hast rejected knowledge , I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God , I will also forget thy children .
45% of men in UK hooked on pornography, even honorable men. In order to curb teenage pregnancy, oral sex taught in schools.
It's God's people, not the pagans. Sadly God have allowed to even extend hell.
Isa 5:
13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity , because [they have] no knowledge : and their honourable men [are] famished , and their multitude dried up with thirst . 14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself , and opened her mouth without measure : and their glory , and their multitude , and their pomp , and he that rejoiceth , shall descend into it.
Why is cross life important
The cross life causes us lose appetite for sin.
The cross life is a crucified life. Devils know if we the cross life. The incident with the 7 sons of Sceva showed it. Of course they knew Jesus who was crucified, Paul was identified with Christ as being crucified with Him.
Gal 2:
20 I am crucified with Christ : nevertheless I live ; yet not I , but Christ liveth in me : and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God , who loved me , and gave himself for me . 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God : for if righteousness [come] by the law , then Christ is dead in vain .
False teaching on grace leads to a self conscious life. It wrongly describes the law.
The law is to us is a covenant. Same as marriage covenant, it's no longer a law if the man die to other women.
Psa 105:
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob (unchanged) for a law , [and] to Israel (transformed) [for] an everlasting covenant :
The day the that the Jacob life is in us it becomes law that condemns, to a Israel it's a covenant. Same person! But God forms a Isreal to realize the covenant. The covenant brings life!
Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob , and he that formed thee, O Israel ,
The cross is how we deal with problems. The problem in the last days is lovers of self (improvement, image, love self) which Jesus ask us to die to. Self needs the restraining power of the cross. Let God form us through the cross to become His price.
The people who think of the cross as stupidity, they belong to the perishing order. We find power when we die to ourselves.
1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness ; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God .
The Son of God received riches, honor and glory by being slain on the cross. The Jacob man even cheated his father and brother as short cut. Breakthrough only comes as transaction at the cross. No other short cut.
Slain to receive! The cross slays the self. God don't trust Jacobs only Isreals.
Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice , Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power , and riches , and wisdom , and strength , and honour , and glory , and blessing .
The cross helps us to jam the brakes on sin, which empowers us to behave even privately. The cross is power against demons! Devils know our lives.
True knowledge of God comes through the cross
Having a relationship with self produces selfishness, self pity, self righteousness, etc. Don't have relationship with self. Adam and Eve after the fall began to look at self instead of looking upward.
Even marriages need the cross to prevent divorce. How to prevail life, ministry etc is only the cross? How to handle life without facing death?
If we are rejected, lonely, spat at, etc learn to identify with Jesus who lived through it. Only the cross can put distinction from the world and nobleness in the church. Today's Israel is apostate because of lacking the cross and God's dealing isn't complete. When Israel is driven out, will we house the Jews in those days? God will judge us for that.
The Apostlic pattern is the cross. What made Paul cry? Many are not enemies of Jesus, but of the cross. The church that want a cross-less Jesus. Paul's example is being crucified with Christ.
Phil 3:17 Brethren , be followers together of me , and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample . 18 (For many walk , of whom I have told you often , and now tell you even weeping , [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ :
There will be a resurgence of the days of Noah. Be prepared through the cross that when the doors close by the Hands of God, we will be in the protected side of the door.
The series was taught at the 21st National Prayer Advance organized by Ps. Jean Lim and the Glory Place Prayer House.
The notes were compile by me some additional comments. Ps. Susan allows circulation of the audio CD. If you chose to receive a copy of the messages kindly send me an email.Timely messages for the End Times.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overcomer that knows God
Hos 6:
3 Then shall we know , [if] we follow (pursue) on to know the LORD
Micah 5:
5 And this [man] shall be the peace , when the Assyrian shall come into our land : and when he shall tread in our palaces , then shall we raise against him seven shepherds (clergy) , and eight principal (laity) men . 6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword , and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver [us] from the Assyrian , when he cometh into our land , and when he treadeth within our borders .
Principal - life poured out as a libation before God. Willingness to be entire His, not given to any thing or to others. Willingness to even die for the God whom he or she loves.
God is raising up overcomers among the clergy as well as the laity and the gap is closing between the two. These are the ones that will stand against the onslaught of evil in the last days.
People who poured out their lives unto the GodDavid was one recorded in Scripture that poured out the Lord. He saw the preciousness of the water which were gotten at the hazard of men's blood, much more we value the shed blood of our Saviour, not neglecting so great a salvation. So David poured out a precious water and not indulging it. Self has been removed.
And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
(2Sa 23:16)
Similarly Samuel (1Sam5), Jesus (Isa 53:12), Mary (Matt 26) and Paul (2 Tim 4:6) who were willingly poured their lives out unto God. Not unto a ministry (as powerful as they had) nor unto people nor unto things, but unto the Lord. What are we pouring our live unto these days? Our church? Our families? Our children (He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Mat 10:37)). Our careers? Our selves? Martin Luther identified that the greater enemy is not the devil but self. Can we say of our lives that the life we now live we life by faith in the Son of God?
2 Tim 4:6
6 For I am now ready to be offered (poured out) , and the time of my departure is at hand .
Greatest strategy against the enemy in the end times are life poured out to God. God requires a faithfulness until death. Lives lived before God, not men nor ministry.
Building of a life poured unto the Lord
The bride revealed in Revelation; John beheld a city built by God (Babylon was built by man). Let God build into me. Men build things of gold & precious items, wood, hay, stubble (1 Cor 3:12) which men see value in. Cain was the first city builder. When Christ builds, the gates of hell cannot prevail. When men builds floods can come and destroy.
Rev 21:
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues , and talked with me , saying , Come hither , I will shew thee the bride , the Lamb's wife . 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain , and shewed me that great city , the holy Jerusalem , descending out of heaven from God ,
Jesus said that the floods have to come to test the 2 houses. On sand is fast, on rock takes a long time. Before the flood both houses are the same, different foundation. Praise God that Jesus builds His church that the gates of hell can't prevail. Who builds into our lives? Will our lives stand the floods? What is our foundation? Is it upon the Rock?
Jesus building us mostly will be in the mundane things of life. Slow but builds goodly character.
Building an overcomer is the same. It is the building in Christ and Him crucified. Those who will drink the same cup that Jesus drank. However the disciples were not the 'right' stock, but as we yield to Christ daily in due time we will rise to the occasion to drink the cup all the way to Calvary. The infused life of Christ begin with daily yielding. Then the resurrection power will take full force.
The poured out life beating back the flood of evil
Normally a father wouldn't curse a son. Ham's character aligned to his destiny as Noah knew. Cursed to be servant of servants.
Ham was cursed because of delight in nakedness, for God hates nakedness. Ham and Canaan did something to Noah, because he realized it. One of Ham's descendants was Nimrod known for sensuality and incest.
Culture of nakedness crept into the church. This is because of deficit in the knowledge of God.
In fact God warns that He will allow the disobedience to be stripped naked.
Even God don't want altars on high ground to not reveal nakedness.
Exo 20:
25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone , thou shalt not build it of hewn stone : for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. 26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar , that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
Nakedness is form of God's judgment, make shameful.
Hosea 2:
3 Lest I strip her naked , and set her as in the day that she was born , and make her as a wilderness , and set her like a dry land , and slay her with thirst .
A demon possessed were naked in the Bible.
Demonic culture (another gospel) has 4 features: materialism, sensuality, infidelity and atheism.
Sensuality creeping into the church in various forms arousing the flesh in the form of worship and 'what-can-I-get-out-of-God' attitude. Every blessing is to fed the insatiable flesh life.
Homosexuality, semi-nakedness are marks of beast. How has the church stood against this flood of evil in Malaysia lately? What stand have we taken to fight back this demonic culture.
Divorce is begining to be rampant in churches today.
It takes the 7 shepherds and 8 principle men to beat back the Assyrians (descendants of Ham).
Poured out lives are hidden from men's eyes
Elijah made the mistake of looking for God in the external, dramatic, atmosphere (earthquake, wind, fire). God rebuked him in a still small voice. We have quiet down to hear, inward disposition to hear. We need to develop a spiritual ear to hear.
Our values and priorities bespeak our vision and mission. Jesus says His meat to do the will of God, where is our nourishment. If we are at the place of God's will we will feel inner satisfaction. Same with Cain leaving the presence of God and became an insatiable wanderer.
1 Kings 19.
The still small voice shook Elijah up!
Elijah and Elisha was said stood before God. Samuel ministered before God. Therefore we can live without secret sin and don't impress anyone!
Hosea speaks of the spirit of harlotry, infidelity in the church
The whore is contaminated Christianity deceiving great peoples, theologians, etc. Sin of Jeroboam. Counterfeit worship. Religion of convenience and compromise.
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials , and talked with me , saying unto me , Come hither ; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters : 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication , and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication . 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness : and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast , full of names of blasphemy , having seven heads and ten horns . 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour , and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls , having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication : 5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written , MYSTERY , BABYLON THE GREAT , THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH . 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints , and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus : and when I saw her , I wondered with great admiration . 7 And the angel said unto me , Wherefore didst thou marvel ? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman , and of the beast that carrieth her , which hath the seven heads and ten horns .
Don't be mezmerized by excellent external! False church make martyrs.
God favor Simeon and Anna's who hid themselves from public eyes and ministered before God as watchman.
Hos 6:
5 Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets ; I have slain them by the words of my mouth : and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth . 6 For I desired mercy , and not sacrifice ; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings . 7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant : there have they dealt treacherously against me.
We should learn that God's heart can be broken, desiring mercy over judgment.
Hos 4:
1 Hear the word of the LORD , ye children of Israel : for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land , because [there is] no truth , nor mercy , nor knowledge of God in the land . 2 By swearing , and lying , and killing , and stealing , and committing adultery , they break out , and blood toucheth blood .
People who break out having no restrain, only the cross can restrain us. Annoiting alone can't restrain us which accounts for many 'annoited' individuals falling into the flesh of adultery and excesses.
The value of the land devalue because of the peoples sins. We have to add value to our land by fighting off the flood of evil.
Hos 4:
3 Therefore shall the land mourn , and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish , with the beasts of the field , and with the fowls of heaven ; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away .
Minds of children taken up by others and not God. News can say that 1 in 5 children have mental problems.
Hos 4:
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge : because thou hast rejected knowledge , I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God , I will also forget thy children .
45% of men in UK hooked on pornography, even honorable men. In order to curb teenage pregnancy, oral sex taught in schools.
It's God's people, not the pagans. Sadly God have allowed to even extend hell.
Isa 5:
13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity , because [they have] no knowledge : and their honourable men [are] famished , and their multitude dried up with thirst . 14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself , and opened her mouth without measure : and their glory , and their multitude , and their pomp , and he that rejoiceth , shall descend into it.
Why is cross life important
The cross life causes us lose appetite for sin.
The cross life is a crucified life. Devils know if we the cross life. The incident with the 7 sons of Sceva showed it. Of course they knew Jesus who was crucified, Paul was identified with Christ as being crucified with Him.
Gal 2:
20 I am crucified with Christ : nevertheless I live ; yet not I , but Christ liveth in me : and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God , who loved me , and gave himself for me . 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God : for if righteousness [come] by the law , then Christ is dead in vain .
False teaching on grace leads to a self conscious life. It wrongly describes the law.
The law is to us is a covenant. Same as marriage covenant, it's no longer a law if the man die to other women.
Psa 105:
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob (unchanged) for a law , [and] to Israel (transformed) [for] an everlasting covenant :
The day the that the Jacob life is in us it becomes law that condemns, to a Israel it's a covenant. Same person! But God forms a Isreal to realize the covenant. The covenant brings life!
Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob , and he that formed thee, O Israel ,
The cross is how we deal with problems. The problem in the last days is lovers of self (improvement, image, love self) which Jesus ask us to die to. Self needs the restraining power of the cross. Let God form us through the cross to become His price.
The people who think of the cross as stupidity, they belong to the perishing order. We find power when we die to ourselves.
1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness ; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God .
The Son of God received riches, honor and glory by being slain on the cross. The Jacob man even cheated his father and brother as short cut. Breakthrough only comes as transaction at the cross. No other short cut.
Slain to receive! The cross slays the self. God don't trust Jacobs only Isreals.
Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice , Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power , and riches , and wisdom , and strength , and honour , and glory , and blessing .
The cross helps us to jam the brakes on sin, which empowers us to behave even privately. The cross is power against demons! Devils know our lives.
True knowledge of God comes through the cross
Having a relationship with self produces selfishness, self pity, self righteousness, etc. Don't have relationship with self. Adam and Eve after the fall began to look at self instead of looking upward.
Even marriages need the cross to prevent divorce. How to prevail life, ministry etc is only the cross? How to handle life without facing death?
If we are rejected, lonely, spat at, etc learn to identify with Jesus who lived through it. Only the cross can put distinction from the world and nobleness in the church. Today's Israel is apostate because of lacking the cross and God's dealing isn't complete. When Israel is driven out, will we house the Jews in those days? God will judge us for that.
The Apostlic pattern is the cross. What made Paul cry? Many are not enemies of Jesus, but of the cross. The church that want a cross-less Jesus. Paul's example is being crucified with Christ.
Phil 3:17 Brethren , be followers together of me , and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample . 18 (For many walk , of whom I have told you often , and now tell you even weeping , [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ :
There will be a resurgence of the days of Noah. Be prepared through the cross that when the doors close by the Hands of God, we will be in the protected side of the door.
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