Tag Archives: Gospel

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DEMOLITION MAN

demolition_manDEMOLITION MAN

Growing up in the 80’s America had a certain do it yourself attitude. I remember watching weekday cartoons where GI Joe was the “Real American Hero” and after twenty-five minutes the good guy always won. Of course living in the 80’s was far from perfect but the shades of gray were never the norm; and matters of right and wrong were understood in black and white terms. Another 80’s phenomenon was the era of super-action hero. Unlike our genre of Marvel comic hero movies today the 80’s gave us Rocky, Rambo, Tango, The Predator, Commando and the Demolition Man. In the movie Demolition Man this sci-fi action film pitted a frozen, but now thawed, killer against…you guessed it a frozen, but now thawed, super cop. By now you are probably trying your hardest not to fall out laughing but I never said the 80’s were the best in everything. That being said, I would like to borrow this popular action movie title, Demolition man, and apply it to the Christian walk regarding the trials, struggles and battles we have with a real life adversary: Sin.

St. Paul exhorts the first church to “Cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.” (2 Cor. 10:5) This bold command speaks loudly to us as we face the same struggles from the fall of Adam to today. Just as with the believer in Paul’s day we too must be determined to demolish those things contrary to the Word of God in our own lives.

Let me ask you to think on something? Sometimes we tend to confuse our earthly nature from the nature of sin. By default the nature of all humanity is born under the curse of sin. However, this does not mean everyday life is filled with hopeless sinful outcomes. What you decided to eat or wear (for example) need not become an eternal battlefield of personal sin versus righteousness. Likewise deliverance from sin is not deliverance from human nature. Within human nature there are deposits of God’s common grace we can enjoy such as love, friendship and charity. But there are things in human nature, such as prejudices, that the person who lives in the progressive pursuit of Christlikness has to demolish through proactive action. (i.e., by the Divine strength imparted by God’s Spirit) Furthermore, there are other battles over which we are not to fight, but to stand still in and see the salvation of God. It is here to I want to insert a strong word of caution and reminder. Despite my or your personal theologies anything that erects itself as a stronghold, against the knowledge of God, needs to be determinedly demolished by drawing on God’s power, through His Holy Spirit, and not comforted, accepted or welcomed as some type of inner compromise.

Natural herbs discount cialis 20mg have some highly important ingredients that body recognises as food offer potent results. The bark of this tree has long been in use cialis super click for more info now for the treatment of sexual disorders in men. Addiction to drugs and alcohol can lead a cheap brand levitra https://unica-web.com/archive/1993/1993.html healthy sex life with the help of counseling and multidisciplinary approach. This reflects a change to the law. click here sildenafil online purchase When the Holy Spirit has His full invitation, in our lives, the Father can begin the work of altering our disposition and aide us in the process of sanctification. The battle is not against sin; we can never fight against sin, because Jesus already dealt with sin in the redemption. The real battle is waged along the lines of turning our natural life into a spiritual life, and this is never done easily, nor does God intend it to be done easily. Oswald Chambers said, “It is done only by a series of moral choices. God does not make us holy in the sense of character; He makes us holy in the sense of innocence, and we have to turn that innocence into holy character by a series of moral choices. These choices are continually in antagonism to the entrenchments of our natural life, the things which erect themselves as ramparts against the knowledge of God. We can either go back and make ourselves of no account in the Kingdom of God, or we can determinedly demolish these things and let Jesus bring another son to glory.”

So be as the Demolition Man and target the sinful, not natural areas of our life. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit He will provide you with the proper balance in life. But once that “stronghold” has been revealed do not compromise or give it sanctuary…tear it down and allow the Father to build a great fortification to His glory in your life.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE FOUNTAIN

The FountainTHE FOUNTAIN

In yesterday’s post I mentioned the popular movie, A River Runs Through It, as a setting and principle for the power, purpose and origin of the Christian’s true source of everlasting authority. In keeping with this week’s “movie theme” there is another film, far more obscure, that also tackles some challenging questions facing every person in life. This film is titled: The Fountain.

“The Fountain is a 2006 American romantic drama that blends elements of fantasy, history, religion, and science fiction. The film consists of three story lines, in which the actors play different sets of characters who may or may not be the same two people: a modern-day scientist and his cancer-stricken wife, a conquistador and his queen, and a space traveler in the future who hallucinates his lost love. The story lines—interwoven with use of match cuts and recurring visual motifs—reflect the themes of love and mortality.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountain)

For every seeker, searcher and even Christian the questions of mortality and eternity sit fixed, like a star in the distant horizon, that catches the heart of every eternal explorer. As Christians we too are on an eternal quest searching for the lover of our soul and He, in turn, is adopting sons and daughters into His Holy family and Kingdom. However, contrary to the old saying, “All roads lead to Rome” not all streams lead to life eternal with the great I AM. The enemy of all creation, Satan, through great deception and cunning has echoed a comfortable lie that reassures the searcher of waters of refreshing wherever they desire to drink. As a result, with the right balance of additives, our culture and world has become addicted to a substitute while believing they are drinking to their eternal health. Again, we look to the words of Jesus when He said, “The water that I shall give him, life eternal, shall be in him a well of water (everlasting).” (John 4:14)

“The picture Our Lord gives is not that of a channel but a fountain. ‘By being filled,’ and the sweetness of vital relationship to Jesus will flow out of the saint as lavishly as it is imparted to him. If you find your life is not flowing out as it should, you are to blame; something has obstructed the flow. Keep right at the Source, and—you will be blessed personally? No, out of you will flow rivers of living water, irrepressible life.” (Chambers)

This step is mandatory and is supposed to be followed before the use of Kamagra 100 mg Tablets.Men should not take this drug if already taking:* Nitrate drugs* Alpha blockers* Medicines for high blood pressureIf a man has a good sexual intercourse and perfect erection when takes see here generic sildenafil uk. We buy generic cialis are the finest online pharmacy who lends superior quality Lovegra 100mg tablets online. What causes hypertension? Family history Obesity Excessive alcohol intake Inactive lifestyle/lack of exercise A high salt and/or high viagra properien http://djpaulkom.tv/exposing-crucial-criteria-in-latin-10/ fat diet High intake of caffeine Smoking and stress. Read a few reviews to understand what people have to be serious about it and they really need to talk to the djpaulkom.tv online viagra cialis doctor without taking anti-impotence pills in over amount. Throughout the eternal quest every person has been designed, by the Fathers great creative purpose, to be vessels through which Jesus can flow as rivers of living water in blessing everybody in the ordinary of life. Regrettably too many people, Christians included, live life like the Dead Sea; always taking in but never giving out. Why? Again I turn to the above statement by Oswald Chambers when he challenged us to consider that we are not living in right relationship to Jesus as Almighty Lord. The promises of Jesus have never changed and when He said surely as we receive from Him, He will pour out through us, we need to look to ourselves and ask is there a defect in our relationship to the Father?

Is there anything between you and Jesus? Is there anything that dilutes your belief in Him? If not, Jesus says, out of you will flow rivers of living water. Jesus’ very words are not a statement of maybe but a blessing passed on and continually flowing. Again Chambers encourages us to “Keep at the Source, guard well your belief in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow for other lives, no dryness and no deadness!”

Have we become too cold or indifferent to no longer expect the extravagant promises of God that tells us out of the believer, spiritual rivers of life are going to flow? Don’t let the misdirection’s of the enemy give you a substitute source or pollute your mighty river. Refuse to let the Source (The Father, Son and Spirit) be blocked by saying, ‘I will be content with this.’ And never look at yourself from the standpoint of—‘Who am I?’ In the history of God’s great plan you will always find that it has started from the obscure, unknown and ignored but always ended with the steadfastly tried and true to Jesus as I AM.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

“A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT”

A_river_runs_through_it_cover“A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT”

Some time ago there was critically well-received movie titled, A River Runs Through It. Though, at the time, I was too young to appreciate the movie’s message I have now come to understand some of the truths the author sought to convey. Borrowing from a review of this novel the following was said, “A River Runs Through It” concerns the Macleans, a Presbyterian family during early 20th century Montana whose opinions of life are filtered through their passion for fly fishing. The novella is presented from the point of view of older brother Norman who goes on one last fishing trip with his rowdy and troubled younger brother Paul in an attempt to help him get his life on track.”  It may not sound like much when we think of fly-fishing, nature and a time, in America, long past. But when I watched this movie, again, some simple but profound Biblical truths emerged I would like to encourage you to consider.

Central to the novel, and of course the film, is a great and mighty river. This pristine river immediately gives you a sense of refreshing and cooling we can almost taste without ever being there.  If you take the time to consider the genesis of any river this natural stream, of nature and beauty, touches places of which its source knows nothing. Perhaps the river began with a melting snow on top a high mountain? Or maybe the river sprang forth from within the earth’s depths? One thing is certain, within the natural order of the things, the river’s source never knows how far, wide, deep and long it will journey and who it will bring life to.

Though often ignored, disregarded and deemed “expired” there is another river source that is always aware of its paths and the lives it desires to touch, refresh and bring everlasting life. Jesus says if we have received of His fullness, however small the visible measure of our lives, out of us will flow the rivers that will bless to the uttermost parts of the earth. If you examine the system of levees, up and down the Mississippi River, you know the “mighty Mississippi” is victoriously persistent and overcomes all natural barriers. For a while the Mississippi may go its steady course until it comes to an obstacle that has halted its advance. However, given enough time the persistent river will make its way around, or through, the obstacle and continue its life giving purpose.

In our great walk of faith, with the Biblical Jesus, the Father has always used “obstacles” to refine your life and build up your strength so you can press forward with Kingdom purpose. Perhaps some obstacles seem too large or have been in place too long for you to have any hope of pressing through or moving around them? If this is you, as it is with me in my current season, then let me remind us to keep paying attention to the Source from which the river is born! The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles; including the ones in your life today! Never set the focus of your vision on the obstacle or on the difficulty. “The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source. Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.” (Chambers)
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Perhaps you feel as if your once mighty river has stalled, feeling stagnant or worse, drying up? God rarely allows us to see how great a blessing we are, even in the delayed seasons. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished, in you, mighty torrents of blessings for others. It is a only a matter of time before the obstacle is removed and “Rivers of Living Water” flow freely again! (John 7:38)

Stay encouraged, remain faithful and always trust in Him as the source.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

REPOST from Jeannette Johnian’s Blog “Continue to Climb”: IN THE MIDST OF “DELUSIONAL” MEN

IN THE MIDST OF “DELUSIONAL” MEN

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Years ago there was a young man in our fellowship that decided he was going to venture out and start his own business. Throughout his being a part of our community my husband had encouraged and supported this man in his endeavors. In spite of the fact that others considered him socially awkward my husband saw a man in need of affirmation and fellowship. One day this man came to our home offering his professional services and after some consideration we had to decline. The moment my husband let him know we were not interested his demeanor changed. Obviously offended he decided he was going to tell my husband what he really thought of our community and his pastor. Sitting in our living room he looked straight at my husband and said, “When are you going to realize you are delusional?”  He went on to question the call of God, in my husbands life, and “exhorted” him to give up.

Why did this man think my husband was delusional? Was it because our community was not in the hundreds or thousands? Could it be my husband did not fit a certain mold for today’s pastor or leader? Was it that my husband never managed a successful business or served as an executive in a fortune 500 company? It was obvious his words, spoken from hurt and rejection, were meant to humiliate.

Since the month of October is pastor appreciation month I thought I would give a big shout out to all the men and women who have been told they are “delusional” for following the call of God.

Just this past week I was in Kalamazoo attending a conference with pastors from around the country. During one of the breakout sessions I heard the stories of men and women who have given their lives to serve God and others. As these servant-leaders shared their stories, with authenticity and transparency, tears starting streaming down my face. But, why was I crying? In each story there was a common denominator that spoke to a deep place within my spirit. What touched me were the hearts of shepherds who are willing to give anything and everything to answer the call of God.

Story after story I heard the familiar burden of true shepherds. These are the unknown soldiers, serving in the trenches, who cannot abandon the call to serve. Many of these men ,according to western church thinking, fall into the category of delusional, unsuccessful, ill-equipped and failures. But I would suggest the following:

  • These are the men who have prayed and pleaded, before God’s throne, for our families. Would any person selflessly do this?
  • These are the men who study God’s Word so, above all else, our souls prosper. Is that not worth more than gold?
  • These are the men, with the eyes of a shepherd, who see us wandering before we realize we have strayed. Are not their words of counsel and wisdom worth paying attention too?
  • These are the men who in spite of adversity, disappointment and hardship endure to the end. Shouldn’t we encourage and support them along the way?
  • These are the men who give of their own limited funds to help you pay your bills when your in need. Did you know that?
  • These are the men that rejoice with you when your child is born, you get a job promotion and your children marry. Ask yourself, when was the last time you rejoiced for your pastor?
  • These are the men who will admit they are far from perfect and, at times, will make imperfect decisions. Are they not worthy of our mercy and patience?
  • These are the men that, when the phone rings at 5:30 am, are willing to get out of bed and meet with you as well as minister to your need.Would we do the same?
  • These are the men that, when they are on vacation, will always answer your distressing phone call and never let it go to voice mail. Are we on call 24-7?
  • These are the men that sacrifice their lives, and family needs, for a salary that rarely covers their living expenses. Would we do the same?

After I complied my short, but by no means exhaustive, list I would like to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for having the same courage as Noah, to build an ark without one convert or sign of rain. To have the faithfulness of Abraham, the humility of David, the boldness of Elijah, the tears of Jeremiah, the courage of Daniel, the vision of Nehemiah and Ezra, the thankfulness of the Apostles, the strength of Paul and the persistence of John.

Thessalonians 5: 12 – 13 says: “And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders, who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love.

Grace and Peace

Jeannette 

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: TESIFY!

9.2-Testify-about-JesusDESTINATION: TESIFY!

“Watch with Me.” (Matthew 26:40)

I love slapstick comedy. Throughout the golden years of radio, early television and film great comedic teams such as Laurel and Hardy, the Three Stooges, Fibber Magee and Molly, etc… always managed to find themselves in some type of high jinx that somehow ended with their escaping a disastrous situation. If you have watched enough of these films or episodes then you always heard the expression, Keep a look out and once you heard that you could count on something funny was about to happen.

Jesus also said, “Watch with Me” but these words were not shared because something bad was on the horizon but because He desired our vision to be as His vision. When we were first born again we did little watching with Jesus because we were learning how to watch for Him. But as we matured we began to see His Word, the Bible, was instructing us how to live through the circumstances of our life. And the Holy Spirit was sharpening our eyes to see with Kingdom perspective.

Throughout our entire journey of faith, with the Biblical Jesus, our flesh (sinful nature) should be melting away. In the process of the old man fading away there should be a new man emerging who has learned to also merge his / her will into the will of the Father. No longer should we perceive life, and it the challenges, with natural vision. Now, the new man, is learning to watch with Him for Kingdom sight. This entire journey, with the Son, is His way of introducing us to identification with Himself. In our pursuit of Jesus we all need to move away from the practice of just watching Him; and into the life where we are watching with Him. Just because we are only used to the idea of Jesus watching with us we do not have the excuse of passively falling asleep when we are to wait, pray and watch with Him.

Having an overactive bladder can at times lead to embarrassing situations and for some, will have quite an impact on levitra free sample their daily activities. Physical injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, pelvis or the nerves and arteries ear the penis and which are responsible for erections can be buy sildenafil australia a factor is education. The medical science has prepared remedies to relieve tadalafil for sale cheap these symptoms. This type of approach will further improve complications and will result in regression in the long respitecaresa.org viagra cheapest run. Like us, the disciples loved Jesus to the limit of their natural capacity. But, also like us, they did not understand what He was after. In the Garden of Gethsemane, for example, they slept for their own sorrow and at the end of three years of the close intimacy they “all forsook Him and fled.”

But don’t despair! Even if we have failed to remain on watch also remember “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit”, restored unto the Son and Father and it is the same “they” who were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Once the in-filling, of the Spirit, matches the outpouring we, like the disciples, will live the testimony and witness that displays before the world, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” This new witness is meant to keep us on watch, with Him, the rest of our lives and testify His Gospel message to the seeking and lost.

So testify again and commit to sharing the Gospel message of Jesus as Lord with the seeking, searching and lost.

Blessings – JOSHUA

 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: HIS!

keep-calm-you-belong-to-jesusDESTINATION: HIS!

Have you ever thought about who holds the deed to your life? Is it you? Is it fate? Is it God? Maybe another way of asking the question is to answer, who do you belong to? For the person who is still asking such questions you have probably experimented with several possible solutions only to discover these conclusions are unsatisfactory. If you are a Christian you probably answered something like, “Well I belong to God…but I am my own person.” I have personally taken a lot of time considering my destination and deed and come to the conclusion the true disciple of Jesus is one, whom the Holy Spirit has revealed, and therefore, you are not your own. Honestly to say and live in such a reality, ‘I am not my own,’ is to have reached a great point in Kingdom perspective. The true nature of a person, in love with the King, is one of deliberate sacrifice of “self” to “another” in sovereign preference, and that “other” is Jesus!

Without the Holy Spirit the very life and purpose of Jesus is obscure and easily dismissed as a wisdom teacher among other guru’s or moral activist among other social pioneers. But when the Holy Spirit illuminates your understanding, with Kingdom perspective, then you see Jesus in a new understanding and revealed light. The life, revived by the Holy Spirit, takes the person of Jesus and removes him from “just another good teacher” to a real and tangible solution to all of your concerns, cares, worries, fears, sins, hopes and joys. Think carefully on how Jesus sent His disciples…Jesus never sent any of the disciples out on argument of, “Once you follow me life is without adversity.” It was not until after the Resurrection, when the disciples had perceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was the Son of God. Jesus then sent His disciples out as Apostles telling them to ‘GO!’ and preach the message of the Kingdom of God.

In the 1970’s movie Jesus of Nazareth there is a classic scene of the disciples talking about miracles and what people are saying about who Jesus was. It was in this moment Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” the look on the disciples faces was shock, stun and horror. Finally Peter looked at Jesus as said, “You are the Christ.” What was Jesus’ response? (Loose paraphrase) Flesh and blood didn’t tell you this…it was revealed by the Spirit. The message of the Kingdom has often been defined to be many things but in brief the message of the Kingdom is the message of the Gospel. Go! Preach the good news of repentance from sin, Jesus is Lord and forgiveness and freedom from the slavery to the old man (the sinful nature).  

For buy cialis levitra example one needs to get a physiotherapy clinic like PhysiCo. Warning! : Your doctor may want you to have http://appalachianmagazine.com/2018/10/18/virginia-to-designate-us-52-veterans-memorial-highway/ buy cheap cialis regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while you are taking any nitrate based item like nitroglycerine, admission of medicine ought not to be finished. Moving a step ahead of emancipating you from the stigma of being a one-minute wonder on bed, check this site out levitra online will help you to relish enhanced ejaculation time during sexual intercourse. There is a growing demand for generic drugs all over viagra vs cialis the world due to the prohibitive costs of most branded or originator medicines. “If any man come to Me and hate not …,he cannot be My disciple,” To be His means you are not to be your own. For Jesus to claim title and deed over you life you need to hate what He hates and loves what He loves. “Any one of the relationships Our Lord mentions may be a competitive relationship. I may prefer to belong to my mother, or to my wife, or to myself; then says Jesus, you cannot be My disciple. This does not mean I will not be saved, but it does mean that I cannot be ‘His.’” (Chambers)

Our Lord makes a disciple His own possession and when He does so He becomes responsible for him. “Ye shall be witnesses unto Me.” The mystery or sacred secret of the believer is—I am His, and He is carrying out His enterprises through me.

So be entirely His! “Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me.” (John 17:6)

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: SACRIFICE

imagesDESTINATION: SACRIFICE

I would ask for a show of hands, but I’ll never see them on the internet…but raise your hand if you have ever been guilty of selfishness. Of course all of our hands have gone up because “self” is something we covet, nurture and, at times, defend while Jesus lived and remains the opposite of self and the epitome of sacrifice. Yesterday I wrote on Destination Holiness and the Father’s plan to bring all of us into His Holy likeness and though we pursue holiness with, at times, great zeal it is “self” that gets in the way of our pursuit and even distorts what we believe Jesus is speaking.

Jesus did not say—‘he that believeth in Me shall realize the blessing of the fullness of God,’ but—‘he that believeth in Me, out of him shall escape everything he receives.’ Our Lord’s teaching is always anti-self-realization. The Father’s purpose is not the development of a self- made man; His purpose is to make a man exactly like Himself. And here is the real death blow to self, the model given to us in the Son is the perfect example of sacrifice. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours in us and through us that counts. “Spiritually, we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us, and we cannot measure that at all.” (Chambers)

In the Bible we read of a woman named Mary, of Bethany, who broke a box of precious ointment and poured it on Jesus while worshipping Him. For many, including His disciples, this was first seen as a waste of valuable resource. But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said that wherever His gospel was preached “this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Even in the act of ones worship, toward a Holy God, Jesus reminds His audience that Mary’s sacrifice of abandon was far greater than the contents of the alabaster box.
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The Father spilt the life of His Son that the world might be saved; are we prepared to spill out our lives for Him? “He that believeth in Me out of him shall flow rivers of living water.” It is time for us to break from the life of selfish self-realization by spilling that our and then asking of a Holy God, what we may do for Him.

He that believeth in Me, … out of him shall flow.… John 7:38.

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: HOLINESS

pursuing-holinessDESTINATION: HOLINESS

Have you ever started a journey with the destination unknown? Have you ever planned a long trip without making preparations or considering what challenges may await you? As you read today’s blog I have just returned from nine days of ministry in the nation of Romania. (I will share on this trip in an upcoming series of blogs) The days leading up to my departure required me to plan for my responsibilities at home as well as abroad. The costs, details, travel arrangements and people I would be meeting required planning from many different places and people to ensure this trip would serve as a blessing to the body of Christ. In short, I was preparing to take a trip knowing where my destination was.

Taking the example of planning for a trip, with a destination in mind, how many of us apply such detailed preparations to our spiritual pursuit of Him? Or, said another way, do you know where your destination is with the Father? Before you answer… don’t say HEAVEN or EARTH (this is a little bit of a trick question). The destination of the person who believes in the Biblical Jesus is HOLINESS.

Continually I find myself restating my purpose in life. And with each affirmation I also discover I am talking less about what I want, or see myself being, but more praying that I am becoming like Him: HOLY. The destined end of man, who pursues the Biblical Jesus, is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. And yet today we have far too many affinities that get in the way of such a pursuit. In fact, we are saturated with them! Our Western culture is obsessed with having the latest and greatest “anything.” Technology, celebrity gossip, clothes, vacation destinations, toys, games, selfies, etc…we live running from one fad to another when what really matters is whether you will accept the God can make you holy. At all costs, the disciple of Jesus as Christ, must live in the pursuit of being rightly related to God.

Kamdeepak capsule offers effective cure for low energy levels, low stamina, low immunity, erectile dysfunction and help men have a sizeable gain for their manhood. http://downtownsault.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PlacePlans-minigrant-RFQ-5-31-16.pdf cheap discount viagra The demand for the levitra generic cheap is from the oxidation of arginine, a natural amino acid. Its 36-hour effectiveness has helped it to earn its keep. viagra sale Zenegra completely erases the specific lovemaking predicament. uk cialis Let me ask you another question, do you believe you need to be holy? Do you believe God can come into your life and make you holy? Please take notice I am not setting my life as a standard of holiness. Rather I desire to point all of us to the reality of the holiness of the Son. The Father has one destined end for mankind, holiness. His one aim, with respects to humanity, is the production of sons and daughters who love the Lord their God with all of their heart, mind and being. “God is not an eternal blessing-machine for men; He did not come to save men out of pity: He came to save men because He had created them to be holy. The Atonement means that God can put me back into perfect union with Himself, without a shadow between, through the Death of Jesus Christ.” (Chambers)

Be careful not to tolerate, through sympathy or comfort, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means sinless walking with the feet, sinless talking with the tongue, sinless thinking with the mind—every detail of the life under the scrutiny of God. Holiness is not only what God desires for you but what you manifest that God has given you.

“Ye shall be holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics

OFF TO THE BLACK SEA!!!

images (1)If you have taken the time to browse my blog then you may have noticed a section titled, “Where Am I Going to Be?” Throughout this year and beginning in 2014 I will be travelling more than I have in the past. This is an exciting transition for me and the ministry at Maranatha Koinonia. While I will still be teaching, in Franklin, 2014 is shaping up to be an amazing year of advancing the message of the King and the Kingdom as this ministry, and its partners, will bring the message of Maranatha Koinonia overseas and within the US.

Beginning in 2014 ministry trips have already been planned for England, Germany, France as well as Australia and Malaysia. Furthermore, there will be several ministry visits to Illinois, Georgia, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. I look forward to sharing, with you, the exciting news of how Maranatha Koinonia is reaching fellow believers and changing lives for the Father’s glory!

This week September 9th – 16th I will be ministering in Constata Romania, on the coast of the Black Sea. I will be speaking as one of two keynote speakers at a regional convention of Evangelical, Pentecostal and Brethren pastors. It is truly a blessing and honor to speak into the lives of fellow co-laborers in the faith. The theme of this conference is: Revival. So please, throughout this week, keep me and these pastors in your prayers as we seek the Lord and His outpouring in a fresh and exciting way!
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Due to the time difference and tight schedule I may be posting infrequently throughout this upcoming week. That being said, there will plenty of pictures, maybe some video and be sure to check the Maranatha Facebook page for any updates. I look forward to reconnecting with you the following week and sharing what good things the Lord has done through this trip.

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

RE-THINK MINISTRY: WHAT ARE YOU IN IT FOR?

re-thinkRE-THINK MINISTRY: WHAT ARE YOU IN IT FOR?

At times I wonder if people who claim to speak, the message of the Gospel, are serving Jesus for Him or because it is good business. By now many of you have already seen or heard of the TV series, Pastors of LA which is distributed by Oprah’s OWN station. If you have not seen the trailer then here is a redirect that will bring you there.

Today, I want this blog’s purpose to be a constructive, honest and loving discussion with some deeper questions and thoughts that extend beyond surface opinions. After viewing this trailer I had a series of mixed reactions. But after I had some time to reflect, on the premise of this show, I found myself asking a simple question: “What are you in it for? The business of YOU or HIM?”  “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not …but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19, 20) Any minister (and I am hesitant to use terms such as “great” or “small”) will testify they responded to the call of God and therefore they are in the ministry of serving the Gospel to people. And yet I ask how can the Pastors of LA encourage a contrary opinion to Jesus’ own words read in Luke 10?*

When you are in the business of Him (Jesus) it is impossible to be in the ministry for yourself. Even a quick “drive by” of Jesus’ example of serving two masters will reveal that. However, many ministers continue to abuse Scripture to support their lifestyles and personal theology. Here again, there is not a single Christian who is given the liberty, by the Father, to redefine His Word for their own purposes. If we are to walk upright and holy before the Lord then we must honor His Words in our attitudes, affections, wants, desires and livelihood. In effect Jesus says, in Luke 10, don’t rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to Me. Jesus’ words apply to all Christians as both an encouragement, to right living, and a warning as to how not to live. The snare, in Christian service, is not to rejoice in your success but rejoice in the Father, and in His omniscience, be thankful He has chosen to use you.

But here too is another point of caution. Because the Father has elected to use an individual this does not give them the Biblical license to profit obscenely beyond moderation. It is the excesses, within the church today, that purposely or inadvertently encourage Christians to evaluate the Father’s blessing through outward appearances. There are multiple Biblical examples of what God cares about…and the Father has never been impressed with buildings, personal kingdoms or wealth. What matters to God in the heart of the man or woman, which is seen only by the Father.
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You and I should never measure  “success” with a natural perspective. The only way to see, that of real value, comes through being rightly related to Jesus and seeing with a Kingdom perspective. It is essential every believer keep their relationship right with Him and whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, you will be in His position to have rivers of living water pour through you and refresh others. When you are in the” business” of Jesus, for Him, then the Father will allow His mercy to flow through you to help lead people towards spiritual reformation.  All of our lives should be living testimonies of being rightly related to the Father, through the ongoing work of salvation and sanctification, operating in your life. Remember that wherever you are God wants you to fulfill the Father’s purposes, not yours…that is why you are there.

In everything, not just the business of ministry, there is an overwhelming tendency to label anything or anyone a “success” by appearances. Beware of the pressure and people who make their usefulness, to you, their ground of appeal. The lodestar of the Christian is the Jesus, alone, and He is the model we are meant to always follow and show to others. It is the work that God does, through us, that counts. Not what we do for Him. What we should all desire is knowing, in our spirit, the Lord is pleased with our relationship with Him. At the end of the day the business of Jesus is bringing many sons and daughters toward His holiness as well as walking and living in His likeness.

Blessings – JOSHUA

*I would like to add these men, are just one sampling of an opinion and approach to ministry within the United States. I do not believe these ministers represent the majority of pastors, teachers, lay ministers and volunteers within the church today. However, it should be noted the “minority” seem to encourage and represent a strong “voice” of Christianity in the United States. I have drawn these conclusions by surveying anecdotal evidences seen on television, media and printed material. 

Christian Apologetics, Inspirational, Motivational

POVERTY THAT COUNTS FOR SOMETHING

poorPOVERTY THAT COUNTS FOR SOMETHING

Our age, unlike any other, is fascinated with stars, celebrities and fame. TV shows such as American Idol, the Voice, America’s Got Talent, etc…are all built on the opportunity of instant stardom. Every “heart-warming” montage is designed to make you connect with a “nobody”, and pull for them, so they can be a “somebody.” Also this same desire, for fame or recognition, has seeped into the culture of “church USA” and helped create an entire wave of “superstar” ministries, ministers and Christian musicians. But have you ever stopped to consider the Bible notices things which, from our standards, do not seem to count? “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” literally—Blessed are the paupers— is an everyday reality for most Christians. The facts still remain for every “successful” ministry the majority of the Gospel message is still carried on the backs of the poor and unnoticed.

The preaching of today is apt to emphasize strength of will, beauty of character and the cosmetic changes people can quickly notice. Even in our sharing, of the Salvation message, the phrase we hear, ‘Decide for Christ,’ is an emphasis on something Jesus never trusted. Jesus never asks us to decide for Him but to surrender to Him. This is a very different reality from how many live, preach and hope for today!

“At the basis of Jesus Christ’s Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says—Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, I can only enter it as a complete pauper.” (Chambers)

True character, of those in love with the Biblical Jesus, speaks for the King and Kingdom in way that never exalts self over Jesus. The Father must always rise above even the glitz and glamour we want to use to speak of Him. Let me provide a brief example: Every 4th of July there are parades, cookouts, fellowship and most of all fireworks. But how many people really stop to think about why we are celebrating this holiday? Sadly many are so enamored with the festivities they miss the truth of the day while believing they have celebrated the event in good fashion. Likewise, this can happen in our churches today. Millions can attend church in love with the lights, music, buildings, outreaches, missions, pastors and even personal relationships but miss the point of why they are gathered in the first place.
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Who are the people that have influenced you most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had not the remotest notion that they were influencing you. In the Christian life the implicit is never obvious, bold or even attention grabbing, if it is, it ceases to have this unaffected loveliness which is the characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces, in the commonplace, something that is very inspiring.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”  (Matthew 5:3)

Blessings – JOSHUA