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Showing posts from December, 2008

Foundations of the Spirit-Filled Life - A Preview

Have you ever wondered what it takes to do some of the things that the apostles did? Do you want to be closer to God, witness signs and wonders? The book of Acts, chapter 2 gives us all the information we need to know. Here are seven steps to becoming a Christian who walks in the ways of the first century Christians. How we take these steps is as personal and unique as we are, and ultimately up to the depth of relationship we have with the Lord Jesus. Entering into the process of sanctification we find seven foundational steps for living the spirit-filled life. If we reject anyone of these, we will not be able to live in power and purity, nor sense the assurance of salvation, or effectivly perform whatever ministry God has called us to. -1 Salvation through faith in Jesus – Acts 2:41(a) ā€œThen those who gladly received his word.ā€ Getting to this step, for some, can be quite a long process, but Romans 10:9-10 is the bar that we must meet. We need to confess Jesus with our lips and receiv...

Testimonies - The Cardboard Kind

This morning I received a comment on an old blog. It was regarding this video I found some time ago on YouTube. It's been viewed more than 3 million times, and I think it's worth viewing again. Revelation 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. LINK TO VIDEO

Gifts - A Great Time to Receive

This blog is not about Christmas, even though it was just yesterday that we enjoyed family, friends, food, more food and gifts! Today's blog is aimed at the believer. It may be beneficial for leaders, but it is for the average Christian wondering what they might do to serve God in a Supernatural way. For many years, I heave heard that spiritual gifts were contained in three passages of the Bible. 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11 and Romans 12. I am going to gracefully disagree with lumping them all together. I believe that each list has a distinct purpose in serving God, and the Body of Christ. For this blog, I am going to focus on just the ones listed here: 1 Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom , to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to...

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

As I sit here in my little office, I can see a few feet of snow out the window. My teenagers are on their way to celebrate Jesus' birthday. My shopping is done, and I ran a few errands for my wife too. I have all the ingredients for my hor d'ourves. The Christmas cards just arrived thanks to Fed-Ex. We'll be calling them New Year's cards. I am thinking about what church will be like tonight - it's a new place. I am looking forward to a Merry Christmas. Every year I take some time off at Christmas because I really enjoy the season. I hear the excitement in my kids voices about the gifts they hope to receive. My youngest wanted to sit on Santa's lap-- "You know Dad," she said, "the real Santa is the one where you work." In doing a little shopping, I heard parents just as excited to give their children a gift... so much so, as I walk the aisles of department stores and ride mall escalators, I often hear "This will be an early Christmas gift...

Real Faith - Following the Voice of God

What is it that you need to know about faith to experience it every day? Where is the power of God that moves mountains and shatters the cedars of Lebanon? If Christianity is the only way to Heaven, then what is the power to make it so? According to Jesus, the power of the resurrection has broken the power of death and all we need to do, is receive it. The truth is that there is only one way, a narrow road-- like putting the camel though the eye of a needle. But faith is so much more then receiving a free gift from God, or spouting a sinners payer, that is just the first step. Real faith is the power to experience the kingdom of God here on earth! Why? Jesus said it is at hand! The problem is that everyone has an opinion about it... Do you hear a lot about politics, faith and religion? I do. Possibly it is just the folks that I am in contact with lately, but I am bit tired of hearing about who is on the right and who is on the left-- who crossed the aisle - who's conservative and w...

The Demonic Part IV - The Joy of Ministry

If you have been following these last few blogs , you can see that God is at work against the powers of darkness, while He makes it possible for us to participate. As a Christian I never would have picked many of the circumstances that I have been in where God has used me. I would have preferred some much neater, and less stressful situations. Something like Sunday school teacher, nursery worker or vacuuming the sanctuary. But that is just not me. I am looking for the types of meetings where God is at work, it is not always entirely predictable, and there is some sort of anointing -- a song, a word or a prophesy. I have a lot of other things that I would rather do with my time then sit and listen to what I can hear on the radio. I am looking for a relationship with my Lord. As the last part of my series on the the demonic and the wiles of the devil. Some times the life of a minister can become routine; even a part-time one. I admit that I was kind of board of teaching home groups, mess...

The Demonic Part III - On My Own and a Sleepless Night

My wife and I had been dating for four or five months. Let's just say that our spiritual experiences at the time were different. Mine were more the type of thing that you can read about on this blog. Hers were more like most normal folks. I don't consider my experiences in the main stream of Christianity, but I think they should be. It is also true that those that know me, never ever uses the word "normal" to describe me. Be Sure to Read The Demonic Parts I and II. One evening I decided to make the trek to visit my friends from ministry school out in western Massachusetts. Our classmate that had normally hosted these reunions had since moved to the Midwest. Therefore; a friend-of-a-friend agreed to host our little gathering of Jesus lovers. I decided to invite my new girlfriend and see if she would enjoy it. After all, in our few short months together she had already survived my my mother's funeral, my 25th high school reunion where one of my drunken classmates of...

The Demonic Part II - My Turn to Play

The last night I ministered in Brazil (See The Demonic Part I ), wrapping up about 20 days of continuous meetings, pastor's luncheons, TV appearances, personal meetings, encouraging missionaries, and occasional street ministry, I was in the MontƩ Hebron church in Curitiba. The pastors there had been very instrumental in helping me put together this dizzying itinerary. Their church had about 200 members, and many of them were there at the meeting. My friend and interpreter preached and ended with an alter call at which nearly 40 people got saved! I was asked to come to the platform and say a few words. The pastor's wife interpreted for me, and I began to minister individually. After about 20 minutes, we ended the meeting with an opportunity for folks to come forward to the alter for the laying on of hands, which is common in Brazil. As I went down the line, we prayed for about 40 or 50 people. After 20 days and probably 18,000 one-on-one ministry encounters, you would have thoug...

The Demonic Part I - Curses, Oppression and Possession

The Bible says, "And Samuel turned to go and he [Saul] seized the hem of his robe and it tore. And Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it your fellow who is better than you." 1 Samuel 15:17-28 On the road to his demise, Saul does little to turn from the fate prophesied by Samuel. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that has a familiar spirit at Endor. 1 Samuel 28:7-197 Saul soon dies, and the kingdom is left to his successor. Saul knowingly sinned, contacting the witch. Why? Because he was afraid God wouldn't come though. The point, is not his fear, or that prophecy is a vehicle for the will of God. No, it is that his encounter with the witch was sin and directly contributed to his death. And as a side note, he believed in both God's ability to be supernatural as well as in...

A Lesson in Christian-ese

The doors swings open to the foyer area of your local church. There are posters for upcoming events, freshly brewing coffee, kids running here and there, and folks donning name tags with bulletins in hand. "Have you met Rich?," says one greeter to a long time church member. "Hi, I am John, pleased to meet you, Rich. Do you live nearby?" "Yes, I have been in town most of my life," Rich says. "How did you find out about our church today," says that greeter (knowing that the pastor is going to want to know if the new web site is worth the hundreds paid.). Rich, replies, "I have driven by it a thousand times. I remember when this building was a factory, and then a sandwich shop and deli; since gone out of business." Hoping that Rich is in good hands with the greeter, John gestures that he needs to get going, "nice to meet you." he says. Extending a quick handshake, as he heads for the door. The greeter replies to both, "I hop...

The Lost Art of Significance

My family and I have been in a bit of a transition lately-- well the last two years. In the process of moving to a new town, starting a new job, attending a new church, trying to meet new neighbors, sitting in stop-and-go traffic, avoiding bigger malls, missing the ocean and hoping to hear His voice, I have noticed something important about life-- my life anyway-- and possibly yours. The word that best describes the missing puzzle piece is significance, and what that means in daily life. In the search for significance and meaning in this world, I have been taught that it comes from Jesus. God loves ME, and therefore; I am significant. That is good news. But just as one contemplates their eternal home, there is a bit of a disconnect because we are not there yet. As precious as the thought of Heaven is, we still have to live out our days on earth; amidst evil, all while our earthly body deteriorates. What is it that makes life worth life living anyway? The well trained Christian says, ...