Is the Church  Hospital?

By Larry R. Lasiter

Satan’s most effective lies are those that sound true. There’s a philosophical argument going around in this postmodern period that the Church is a "hospital." Being a hospital then you should expect to find every type of "sinful disease" including immortality, adultery, addictions, criminal activity, etc. And that’s the true Church and if that offends you then you are self-righteous and should stay away.

There are plenty of Bible examples of this being a false concept-the first that came to my mind was in 1 Corinthians 5 where the Apostle tells the Church it’s not good that they are tolerating a man practicing immorality and they should put him out because "a little leaven will spread and leaven the whole Church."

The Spirit also reminded me of Paul saying that these sinful acts should not even be named among the Church.In Chapter 6 the Apostle wrote that those who practice sin will not inherit the Kingdom of God. "Adultery", "fornication", "homosexuals" and "drunkards’ are among the sins mentioned. Paul goes on to say "Such were some of you, but you were washed. . .sanctified. . .and justified."

But let’s examine this false philosophical teaching by using simple philosophical logic. If you had a life threatening sickness that would require treatment in a hospital-which hospital would you choose to trust with your life? Would you consider a hospital that was filled with sick people who weren’t being nursed to health? One that had a poor record of success. Of course you would not. You would conclude that something is very wrong. That the doctors, nurses and technicians in that hospital are not doing their job in helping people to good health.

If you were there to get healthy then it wouldn’t satisfy you if they merely treated you with kind words as they comforted you in your sickness. You would want more than having your emotional state being tenderly stroked while the disease that is killing you is silently neglected.

Sermon Notes: 9-6-2014

COMFORT OR TRUTH?

1. Most "Christians" today live as though they do not believe that False Teachers exist - or if they do exist they are very few and come in the likeness of Charles Manson, Jim Jones or David Koresh. Many associate False Prophets and False Teachers with Churches that mainstream Christianity labels as "cults" such as Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and Scientology. But the Bible prophesies that False Prophets and Teachers will be MANY not FEW.

2. False Prophets/Teachers are successful because they tell people what they want to hear. They will make you feel good about God’s love, but will rarely talk about sin and the Judgment to come. As we read in Matthew chapters 7 and 24, False teachers are associated with lawlessness.

3. False Teachers will teach others to disregard parts of the Bible that disagree with our culture’s accepted lifestyle. Rather than teach true doctrines which have the power to change people and even cultures, they allow culture to dictate and shape their doctrines. They are usually infected with humanism-placing the happiness and desires of man over holiness and the will of God.

4. False Teachers will take Scripture out of context and will use philosophy to explain away the truth of God. They are successful because they know that is what their congregation wants to hear. Many Pastors are hired by a Church Board. The Pastor understands that he is being paid to preach what they hired him to preach and if he strays from the Church comfort zone he will be replaced. The goal is Church growth in numbers, not Spiritual growth in truth and in Christ.

5. The vast majority of people worship the way they do for one simple reason-TRADITION. People rarely study the Bible or question the faith they were raised in. Few ever take the time to honestly seek God’s truth and then follow it regardless of what it may cost. It is understood that any variation from the Church comfort zone may cause problems with family and friends.

6. Many Christians do not think purity of faith and doctrine is important. Therefore, they find a "comfortable Church" rather than a Church who teaches and upholds the truth. If the preacher looks and sounds good, and the teachings are comforting rather than demanding they’re on board.

7. The Church of God must be on guard against False Teachers who exchange God’s truth for lies and deception. The Church is built by Christ to be the Pillar and Foundation of the truth. Those who will not receive a love of the truth will ultimately perish

The Video of this Sermon "Comfort or Truth? 9-6-2014" can be found under Sermons at our Web Site

Genesis 6 - Did Fallen Angels Take Wives?

By Larry R. Lasiter

There has been much speculation about the meaning of this passage in Genesis Chapter 6.Some teach that fallen angels took on the form of flesh and had sexual relations with women producing a race of giants called the Nephilim. The proponents of this view state oral tradition and the advent of mythology to support the teaching. In this brief article I will use only the text of this passage itself, and will be quoting from the New American Standard Version which is considered the most literal translation in print.

Because the "sons of God" took for themselves the "daughters of men" God limited man's days to 120 years and said "My spirit shall not strive with man forever." Men had lived to be much older prior to this judgment, notice also, the judgment had to do with God's spirit abiding in man

We find there that the "sons of God" took wives from the "daughters of men." The important question here is, who are the "sons of God?" Are they demons, fallen angels taking the form of flesh? Would God call evil, fallen spirits "sons of God?"

Some say that Satan was one of the "sons of God" referred to in Job 1:6. But the passage says that when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord that Satan "also came among them." Satan came "among them"- "them" referring to the "sons of God." This is not saying that Satan is a son of God but that he appeared "among" the sons of God like a tare might appear among the wheat.

Like faithful men, angels are sometimes called sons of God in Scripture as we see in Job 38:7 but it is not angels being referred to in Verse 2. Notice also that these sons of God "chose" for "themselves" certain "daughters of men."

We see here that because the "sons of God" took for themselves the "daughters of men" God limited man's days to 120 years and said "My spirit shall not strive with man forever." Men had lived to be much older prior to this judgment, notice also, the judgment had to do with God's spirit abiding in man. In the previous chapter we find that Methuselah lived to be 969 years old. We must ask the question, "if the sons of God were fallen angels, why was the judgment against "man?"

Romans 8 tells us twice that only those who possess the indwelling of the holy spirit are the "sons of God." Although the holy spirit was poured out on Pentecost in 31AD, there have always been faithful men and women whom God had given His spirit to.

In Psalm 51 we find King David praying that God would not take His holy spirit from him. Jesus called Abel righteous. (Matthew 23:35) In Genesis 5 we find that Enoch "walked with God" and God took him. Notice also the time line of the great cloud of witnesses so eloquently spoken of in Hebrews 11, almost all lived prior to the coming of Christ.

I might mention that nowhere in the Bible does it say that there was a Book of Enoch. Jude wrote that "Enoch prophesied" that fallen angels left their "abode" which was earth to follow Satan to war in Heaven. God had placed Satan and his angels on the earth as their abode. But they rebelled and ascended to Heaven in attempt to take God’s Throne.

All Prophets prophesied but very few wrote their prophecies on a scroll. Certainly the "Book of Enoch" making rounds today was not written by the Enoch of Genesis. Enoch lived and was translated before the flood. If he had written a book of prophecies God would have necessarily preserved it by having Noah take it aboard the ark. And if He had gone to such lengths to preserve the book then He would surely have had it included in the writings of the Old Testament.

Also, I have read the so-called "Book of Enoch" and found it to be unscriptural on many counts -"people already judged and in Hell" and "400 foot giants" -remember Enoch lived before the Genesis 6 account and before the ensuing flood.

The present canonization of the Old Testament that we have today is the fifth translation and canonization. God chose Ezra and the "Great Assembly" to perform the task of preserving His Word. 120 of the greatest Jewish Scholars who have ever lived. Faithful Ezra was in charge, but there were a number of prophets of the Bible included in this task. So if we were to question these anointed and appointed men we would have to question everything that is written in the Old Testament we have today. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.

Notice that because "sons of God" took "daughters of men for wives", God said that He "saw that the wickedness of man was great." That "every intent" of man's heart was evil." And that God was even sorry that He had made man

Now back to the topic at hand. Jesus told His disciples "Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed." I believe He was referring to the faithful who lived before He came as the Savior. These Faithful servants could not look back to Calvary as we can, but had to look forward to the cross and believe that God would someday redeem them from their sins.

Let us consider for a moment that the "sons of God" in Genesis 6:2 were faithful men whom God had given the holy spirit to. Men who were not only born of men but born again of God,- marrying worldly women born only of men. Now let's see how the passage begins to shape up.

The Hebrew word translated as "strive" here literally means "rule in." Some ancient versions read "abide in" or "in his going astray he is flesh." The word "nevertheless" in verse 3 can mean "therefore" in Hebrew as well.

Putting this together let me paraphrase,- When the faithful sons of God,- righteous men possessing the holy spirit, saw that the women of the world were beautiful, they lusted after them, taking them as their wives, thus becoming "unequally yoked" together with unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 7)

They "chose" for "themselves" rather than letting God provide for them. In this they were quenching the spirit within them, which is why God said "My spirit shall not "strive", "rule in" or "abide in" man forever, for "in his going astray he is flesh," therefore I will limit his years on earth to 120. Notice that God is saying that His spirit could not stay in those who lusted after the flesh. This means that there were men who had the holy spirit abiding in them but fell away when they set their eyes and hearts on the flesh, in this case, women who were not born of the spirit.

"Nephilim" here is certainly the "mighty men,"- "men of renown." The Nephilim were a result of the unholy union of the sons of God with the daughters of men. Nephilim is taken from "Napal" meaning "to fall." But who are these who fell? Was it angels who had become demons at Lucifer's rebellion, or was it faithful men who fell away from God by going after fleshly desires?

Notice that God said that He "saw that the wickedness of man was great." That "every intent" of man's heart was evil. And that God was even sorry that He had made man.

Again, it is man whom God holds to blame. And it was to men that God's judgment was pronounced against. The same men who were once called the "sons of God."

"The Handle will Break!"

By Donald Turner

Our Lord loves us and gives us wonderful blessings. And they come in all shapes and sizes. One night my wife was preparing sloppy Joe's for dinner. She had made the sauce in the skillet and asked if I would take it off the table.

On my way to the stove the Lord spoke to me and told me that the handle on the skillet was going to break off! I was both surprised and puzzled, not only because I heard the Lord, but also because this was our good skillet.

But because I had heard the voice of the Lord I carefully lifted the skillet and moved it slightly off the stove. As I did the handle did break off.

If I had picked the skillet up as I normally would have, the hot, steaming Sloppy Joe mix would have poured all over my bare feet and my wife's bare legs! So I thank the Lord for His loving care and blessings.

The Christmas Question

"When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ You shall not behave thus toward the Lord your God, for every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done to their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it." Deuteronomy 12:29-32

In our first text we learn that God does not want His children to worship Him using the same customs that the pagan nations used to worship their gods - even saying that those customs are an abomination to Him.

Our second text has been interpreted by some as describing the Christmas tree and it’s decorations - some Bible translations use "tree" where the NAS that I quoted from uses "wood." But whether this Scripture is describing the Christmas tree or not does not take away from the point the Prophet is making - that God does not want us to "learn the way" the pagans worshiped their gods even saying that their customs are "delusion."

Our third text is one of many Scriptures that speak out against worship which involves the use of an evergreen tree. A "green" tree is a tree which remains green year round giving it the term "ever"green. The evergreen tree is an ancient symbol for wicked Nimrod who was a sworn enemy of God.

Our fourth text is an appeal from Jude, the brother of Jesus, who wanted to write a nice letter about our common salvation in Christ Jesus. However, the Holy Spirit compelled him to write that the Church must earnestly contend for the original Apostolic faith. We see that certain false teachers had infiltrated the Church and were teaching heresies which were contrary to the teachings of Jesus’ Apostles.

I am not writing this article to point out the pagan roots of the observance of Christmas and the customs associated with the holiday - for more on that you can read my booklet "Where Did We Get Christmas?" or just check any encyclopedia. However, I would like to include a short statement before going on to my main point.

The celebration of the Saturnalia during the winter solstice was to honor Dies Natalis Solis Invicti which means "the birthday of the unconquered sun." The earliest historic record of December 25 as a Christian holiday was in 354 AD. According to a Roman document written in that year Catholic Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses with it. Catholic leaders "succeeded" in "converting" to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians.

The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about the Saturnalia. To remedy this the Church leaders named December 25 to be Jesus’ birthday. The change was in name only as the new Catholic converts were allowed to observe the Saturnalia in the same decadent way - using the same pagan customs and practices. In return for ensuring massive observance of the "anniversary" of the "Savior’s birth" by assigning it to this resonate date, the Church agreed to allow the holiday to be celebrated more or less the way it has always been - with drunkenness, sexual indulgence, singing naked in the streets, etc.

I realize that Christmas, at least in America, is not observed like this today - I haven’t seen any naked carolers lately - but I felt that it was important that we understand when, how and why the Catholic Church introduced a "Christianized" Saturnalia festival to the Church.

(1.) The primary purpose of it’s introduction was not to follow an Apostolic teaching. (2.) The primary purpose of it’s introduction was to bring the pagan masses into the Church. (3.) The pagan practices and customs were permitted to entice them to join the Church. (4.) Jesus’ birth was assigned to December 25 because there was nothing "Christian" about the Saturnalia - and this date was already a holiday celebrating the birth of the unconquered sun-god which could easily be thought of as the "birth of the unconquered Son."

Those who celebrate His birth today say that they do so because they love Him and want to honor Him - yet, those closest to Him - those who actually wrote the accounts and details of His birth, didn’t celebrate His birth

One of the glaring problems with all of this is that none of it is true. The pagans were not truly converted from paganism to Christianity - December 25 is not the birth date of Jesus - Jesus cannot be honored using pagan customs, nor can God be worshiped in a lie because, -"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)

The Saturnalia is not the "Mass of Christ" (Christmas). And as most Protestants would affirm, the Roman Catholic Church had become apostate by this time and was not the "pillar" and "support" of the "truth" that the Church is called to be, -"I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:14-15)

In fact the Roman Church, with the power of the Empire behind it actively persecuted the scattered few who refused to join their ranks. The "support" is the foundation which all true teachings are built upon - Jesus Himself is the living Truth and the Chief Corner Stone - a Stone which the builders rejected "then" and most still reject "now."

Everything we know about the birth of Jesus we know because the Apostles recorded it in the Gospels. Gabriel the angel coming to Mary and telling her that she was going to bear the Son of God - the journey to Bethlehem where the child was born in a lowly manger - the angels announcing His birth to a group of shepherds in the fields - the Magi who traveled from the East to honor Him as a King - Herod’s plot to kill the child to preserve his own throne, etc. We know these historical facts because the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostles of Christ to record it in written form.

These men were specifically chosen by the Father to be the Apostles of Christ who were ordained to take the Gospel message and the teachings of Christ to the world, establishing congregations along the way, - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;" (Matt.28:19-20)

These men lived with Jesus during His ministry here and loved Him with all of their hearts. I must emphasize here that no one has ever loved Jesus more than His Apostles, and no one has ever desired to honor Him more than them. I say this because, of all their love for Jesus they did not celebrate His birth. One must wonder why.

Those who celebrate His birth today say that they do so because they love Him and want to honor Him - yet, those closest to Him - those who actually wrote the accounts and details of His birth, didn’t celebrate His birth. In fact, no one celebrated His birth for more than three hundred years after the Church began and even then the purpose was to "convert" pagans not to truly honor His birth - His "birth" was assigned to "Christianize" the pagan festival.

Even today, honest Bible students understand that the season, practices and customs associated with the observance of Christmas are not very "Christian." This is why we hear "let’s remember the reason for the season" and "let’s put Christ back in Christmas." Most Christians know that the practices and customs do not really point to or magnify Jesus, though many strain to make connections.

When you compare the Passover observance with Christmas observance it becomes painfully evident. Jesus told His followers to keep the Passover and instructed them in how to do it. The Passover is observed on the anniversary of the very day that Jesus was crucified. The wine represents Jesus’ Blood which was shed for our redemption and the bread represents His Body beaten for our healing and crucified for the penalty of our sins. Jesus introduced foot washing to teach His followers to be and remain humble servants of one another. And regarding the Passover, Jesus said, -"Do this in remembrance of Me."

The practices and customs in Christmas observance cannot be so easily connected to Jesus. The winter solstice, December 25 -the practice of bringing an evergreen tree into your house and decorating it lavishly -placing gifts under a tree - the hanging of the mistletoe - the burning of the yule log - a time for family - stringing your house with lights - hanging stockings - a jolly old elf named Santa who brings gifts to the good children of the world - a flying sleigh pulled by flying reindeer - Yule Tide season - twelve days of Christmas, etc.

You may consider Christmas observance as harmless fun, but it really is a difficult stretch to make the case that all the fun stuff you are doing for yourself and your family is primarily to honor Jesus - which is why Christians constantly tell each other -"Don’t forget the reason for the season!"But honestly, isn’t the reason today basically the same as it was when the Roman Church introduced it - as a way of "Christianizing" the things people are already doing or want to do?

I know that some Christians who do not celebrate Christmas use Scriptures in which God forbids adding or taking away from anything that He has commanded - but we should be careful to not be so strict in our application of that fact. Hanukkah and Purim which are not named among God’s appointed times but were added later, were observed by Jesus and His Apostles. Of course these were not considered "Holy Days" but as national commemorations relating to Israel. In America we have similar commemorations in Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

Personally, I am convinced that today’s Christmas observance is nothing but a more morally acceptable Saturnalia with the name of Christ attached to it. I am sure in my own mind that God hates the customs used in the observance of Christmas and that He is not pleased or honored by the practice.

* Many people are not open to the question about whether they should celebrate Christmas because they are already entangled in it. What about family members? And my kids would scream bloody murder! Remember this, your children are a gift from God -they actually belong to Him. And what you teach your children will set them firmly on the foundation of truth or on the lies of shifting sand. What you instill in their lives will bring blessings or curses. The best thing you can do for your children is to raise them to be obedient to God’s truth.

But what if someone celebrated the birth of Jesus in a completely different way and on a date which is not associated with the birth of a pagan god - would that be wrong - could that honor the Lord? The thought that would go through my mind is "why didn’t the Apostles commemorate the birth of Jesus?"

All I know about the event is what they recorded for me but they received it face to face and directly from the Lord. Even so, they never observed the day of His birth. They loved Him with all of their heart and desired to please and honor Him - yet they never observed the day of His birth. They had the authority to bind whatever they were moved to on earth and were promised that it would be bound in heaven - yet they never observed the birth of Jesus.

I sometimes wonder, did the subject ever come up? Surely it must have - I mean, it is the event when God came in human form as a tiny baby - an event announced by a star in the heavens and the singing of angels - yet the Apostles never observed His birth. One may argue that the Apostles didn’t give a command to not celebrate Jesus’ birth - that may be true, but sometimes silence can be deafening.

My Blessing

By Jeni (Lasiter) Lewis

I was blessed on July 18, 2000. This day was four days after I was baptized and received the holy spirit. I had come home for a 20 minute lunch break from work. My older sister had already received her blessing, so I was not surprised when I walked in the door and everyone told me my Dad was waiting for me upstairs.

We knelt together and through his tears, Dad gave me the words from the Lord. I was blessed with 'peace, prosperity, and health'. And God also said "'as the heart is to the body, so shall she be to my people' thus saith the Lord." He also said I will touch His people through my hands, and that I am highly esteemed. He had me put my fingertips together to feel my pulse in them. Also, Dad was told to pour the vial of oil on my head and not to rub it off. For the fulfillment of the blessing, the oil was to stay on for three days.

Healing for a Witness

By Jeni (Lasiter) Lewis

In 2001 a friend of mine and I had recently begun Bible studies together. We worked together in a classroom with one other co-worker On this particular day, our co-worker was not in class because her young daughter was not well. Not knowing any details, when we started our Bible study that afternoon, we prayed for this child. We carried on and studied the Word until it was time for me to come home.

Later that night, I received an instant message from the co-worker whose daughter was ill. She told me she'd be back at work the next day because her daughter was fine. I asked what the problem was, and she explained that her child had a shunt in the back of her neck and there was severe swelling around it which could be very dangerous.

As we were about to sign off, she mentioned that the swelling started to decrease at exactly 5:30. I didn't realize it immediately, but in a moment or two, I recalled that was the precise time my friend and I had prayed for this child's healing. This woman was not a practicing Christian, so it was a great opportunity for me to witness of God's healing power and compassion.

NOTE: This woman was Brittney Slusher who we baptized in 2003 and who now serves as a Prophetess in our congregation.

What Does Jesus Mean to You?

The Great Welsh Awakening began in 1904 with a simple question to a group of young Church members. Pastor Joseph Jenkins asked, "What does Jesus Christ mean to you?" A young fellow stood and said, "Well, Jesus Christ is the hope of the World." Pastor Jenkins replied, "No, no I don’t mean that. What does He mean to you?" Moments later the silence was broken as a young girl who had been saved only three weeks earlier spoke up and said, "I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart!" She spoke with such sincerity that it profoundly touched everyone there. It was as if the "first love" of Christ was flowing directly from her lips.

As far as anyone can tell, that’s the moment when the Awakening began. That’s the very moment when everyone there felt the Presence of God descend upon them. As it was later reported, -"God filled the room!" This group of young people had been merely "Church kids." They loved to gather around the piano and sing hymns. They loved the Church social activities and they were faithful in attending services. The Church was their "Christian social club." But suddenly that all changed! Now these young people had met God, and were so heavily anointed by the Holy Spirit that Pastor Jenkins began taking them from Church to Church that they might testify.

During this time a young man named Evan Roberts felt a calling from God. He was working in the coal mines and studying for the Clergy. He told his overseer, "I’ve been hearing a voice in my Spirit calling me to go speak to some young people in the Church. Do you think this is from God or from the devil? His overseer said, "It’s surely from God!" So the young Roberts went back to his home. and asked his Pastor if he may speak to the young people of the Church. The Pastor agreed to allow him to speak after a Monday night prayer service to any who may want to stay and hear.

Only 17 stayed for the message. Robert’s began, saying, -"I have a message to you from God. You must confess any sins you may have, and make right whatever you have against a brother or sister. You must put away any harmful habit. You must obey the Spirit promptly. And you must profess your faith in Christ publicly."

This was not something new. It wasn’t something that they had never heard before. But because it was a direct message from God there was an obvious weighty anointing. The young people there, as well as the Pastor were deeply pierced. One by one they stood and made their confessions and professions publicly. The Pastor was so moved that he asked Roberts to speak to the entire congregation. From there he was invited to Churches all over Wales -everyone wanted to hear this simple, but anointed message.

The Churches began to be deeply convicted and huge crowds -thousands began to come. It got to the point that the anointing was so powerful on young Roberts that his messages became a mere three words -"Let us pray!" and thousands would relentlessly seek God in prayer. It was reported by the press that thousands stood outside the Churches as the sanctuaries were full. Services would often go on into the early hours of the morning. This went on night after night for more than a year. An estimated 200,000 people were saved in this Great Awakening. And it all began with a question, -"What does Jesus Christ mean to you?" And a sincere answer from a newly converted young girl, -"I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart!"

Perhaps each of us should first consider this question, -"What do I mean to Jesus?" Jesus was with the Father and was also God Himself for all eternity before He came to earth as a mere man. Jesus came to save the lost. He told His disciples that no one could "take" His life, but that He would willingly lay down His life that others may live. He loves you with an everlasting love. Because of that love He subjected Himself to being scourged, literally torn apart and then put on public display nailed to a cross. The crowd who once adored Him mocked Him as He hung there in agony. They cried, "Look at Him! He saved others but cannot save Himself!" But it was His love for you that kept Jesus on the cross.

So, I pose a like question, "What does Jesus Christ mean to you?" This is a question that each of us must answer personally. We understand that God so loved the "world" that He gave His only begotten Son to save it. But the "world" is a big place filled with lots of people.

What does Jesus mean to "me"? Well, that’s getting personal, even intimate. If you have never had your emotions stirred when reading, praying or thinking about Jesus, then perhaps you have not yet answered that question. Ask yourself some other questions, "are you embarrassed to openly raise your arms in prayer or praise?" "Are you uncomfortable in allowing your emotions to be seen in public?" "Do you work to suppress your feelings and emotions?""If you were to openly and emotionally express your love and gratitude to Jesus, do you fear what others may think?"

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then you will never be a believer like King David of whom God said, "is a man after My Own Heart!" And you will never fill your Savior’s heart with such joy. David struggled in many ways. But the Lord meant everything to David. He understood well the value of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and grace.

Darwin’s Horrid Doubt

A major way to test a philosophy or worldview is to ask: Is it logically consistent? Internal contradictions are fatal to any worldview because contradictory statements are necessarily false. "This circle is square" is contradictory, so it has to be false. An especially damaging form of contradiction is self-referential absurdity — which means a theory sets up a definition of truth that it itself fails to meet. Therefore it refutes itself.

An example of self-referential absurdity is a theory called evolutionary epistemology, a naturalistic approach that applies evolution to the process of knowing. The theory proposes that the human mind is a product of natural selection. The implication is that the ideas in our minds were selected for their survival value, not for their truth-value.

But what if we apply that theory to itself? Then it, too, was selected for survival, not truth — which discredits its own claim to truth. Evolutionary epistemology commits suicide.

Astonishingly, many prominent thinkers have embraced the theory without detecting the logical contradiction. Philosopher John Gray writes, "If Darwin’s theory of natural selection is true,… the human mind serves evolutionary success, not truth." What is the contradiction in that statement?

Gray has essentially said, if Darwin’s theory is true, then it "serves evolutionary success, not truth." In other words, if Darwin’s theory is true, then it is not true. Self-referential absurdity is akin to the well-known liar’s paradox: "This statement is a lie." If the statement is true, then (as it says) it is not true, but a lie.

Another example comes from Francis Crick. In The Astonishing Hypothesis, he writes, "Our highly developed brains, after all, were not evolved under the pressure of discovering scientific truths but only to enable us to be clever enough to survive." But that means Crick’s own theory is not a "scientific truth." Applied to itself, the theory commits suicide.

To make the dilemma even more puzzling, evolutionists tell us that natural selection has produced all sorts of false concepts in the human mind. Many evolutionary materialists maintain that free will is an illusion, consciousness is an illusion, even our sense of self is an illusion — and that all these false ideas were selected for their survival value.

So how can we know whether the theory of evolution itself is one of those false ideas? The theory undercuts itself.

People are sometimes under the impression that Darwin himself recognized the problem. They typically cite Darwin’s famous "horrid doubt" passage where he questions whether the human mind can be trustworthy if it is a product of evolution: "With me, the horrid doubt always arises whether the convictions of man’s mind, which has been developed from the mind of the lower animals, are of any value or at all trustworthy." But, of course, Darwin’s theory itself was a "conviction of man’s mind." So why should it be "at all trustworthy"?

Surprisingly, however, Darwin never confronted this internal contradiction in this theory. Why not? Because he expressed his "horrid doubt" selectively — only when considering the case for a Creator.

From time to time, Darwin admitted that he still found the idea of God persuasive. He once confessed his "inward conviction … that the Universe is not the result of chance." It was in the next sentence that he expressed his "horrid doubt." So the "conviction" he mistrusted was his lingering conviction that the universe is not the result of chance.

In short, it was on occasions when Darwin’s mind led him to a theistic conclusion that he dismissed the mind as untrustworthy. He failed to recognize that, to be logically consistent, he needed to apply the same skepticism to his own theory.

Applied consistently, Darwinism undercuts not only itself but also the entire scientific enterprise. Kenan Malik, a writer trained in neurobiology, writes, "If our cognitive capacities were simply evolved dispositions, there would be no way of knowing which of these capacities lead to true beliefs and which to false ones." Thus "to view humans as little more than sophisticated animals …undermines confidence in the scientific method."

Just so. Science itself is at stake. John Lennox, professor of mathematics at the University of Oxford, writes that according to atheism, "the mind that does science … is the end product of a mindless unguided process. Now, if you knew your computer was the product of a mindless unguided process, you wouldn’t trust it. So, to me atheism undermines the rationality I need to do science."

Of course, the atheist pursuing his research has no choice but to rely on rationality, just as everyone else does. The point is that he has no philosophical basis for doing so. Only those who affirm a rational Creator have a basis for trusting human rationality.

Live to Make a Difference

A vacationing businessman was walking along a beach when he saw a young boy. Along the shore were many starfish that had been washed up by the tide and were sure to die before the tide returned. The boy was walking slowly along the shore and occasionally reached down and tossed a beached starfish back into the ocean. The businessman, hoping to teach the boy a little lesson in common sense, walked up to the boy and said, "I have been watching what you are doing, son. You have a good heart, and I know you mean well, but do you realize how many beaches there are around here and how many starfish are dying on every beach every day. Surely such an industrious and kind hearted boy such as yourself could find something better to do with your time. Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?" The boy looked up at the man, and then he looked down at a starfish by his feet. He picked up the starfish, and as he gently tossed it back into the ocean, he said, "It makes a difference to that one."

Mr. Simpson received a terrible message one day, "your son has been killed." His missionary son, William, had built a small school on the Tibetan border where he had been teaching God’s Word to children. William’s father lived nearby and immediately rushed to the school after receiving the news. As he looked around, the memories of his son’s ministry flooded his mind.

William had traveled four thousand miles a year on horseback to share the gospel with the people of Tibet. Muslim fanatics had slaughtered fifty thousand people in one Tibetan city, but even this did not scare his son away.

William had written, "All the trials, the loneliness, the heartache, the pain, the cold and fatigue of the long road, the discouragement and all the bereavements, temptations, and testing seemed not worthy to be compared with the glory and joy of witnessing these ‘glad tidings of great joy.’"

William’s father walked slowly through the destroyed school and found his son’s mangled body lying on the floor. He later learned that a horde of Muslim army deserters had attacked the Christian school, showing its founder no mercy.

As a missionary himself, Mr. Simpson was very proud of the example of Christ William had been to others. Under his son’s body was a piece of paper smeared with blood. He gently picked it up and read the fitting words, "In remembrance of Me."

Chinese professor Bob Fu and his wife held secret Bible studies in remote villages. The inhabitants’ hunger for God’s Word never ceased to amaze him. One memorable trip began with a twelve hour bus ride on which a church leader stood in front of the broken window for hours to keep the rain out so that Fu could rest.

The next night they drove a small van on rough, muddy roads until the van got stuck; then they drove a tractor for hours in the pouring rain until the tractor also got stuck. After that, they walked all night by the light of the moon, slipping and falling in the muddy fields.

They arrived early the next morning to a warm welcome. Villagers began arriving at the house church to pray for two hours before the service. Some had walked fifty miles just to hear God’s Word. The house had no chairs, so the church members sat on rocks or pieces of wood. In this area, they had another blessing: It was too difficult for the police to follow. For a few days, they could worship freely!

Each had overcome extreme travel conditions to worship, and none considered it a sacrifice. They just had a desire like David, who was drawn to worship with every fiber of his being. "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God" (Psalm 42:2)

How easy it is for us in America to take our blessings and freedoms for granted. And how hard it is for us to truly maintain an attitude of appreciation. We find few so zealous as these Chinese villagers in the American Church. How pleasing it must be to God to see these "little ones" so devoted that they arrive two hours early to pray for an anointed service. I pray for God to protect and keep them from being infected by the American Church with the spiritual disease of apathy.

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco."Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me.""Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him." "There's something you should know," the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."

"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live." "No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us." "Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own." At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.

A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror, they also discovered something they didn't know. Their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking, fun and easy to be around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who may require a sacrifice from us. Jesus loved. He touched those stricken with disease and served them with heartfelt compassion. He is our perfect example. A faithful and true follower of Christ will help bear another’s burden with joy.

The Power of Forgiveness

On April 17, 2012, 21-year-old Chandler Gerber was driving down a silent, deserted stretch of rural Indiana highway on his way to work. As such, he didn't see the harm in briefly trading text messages with his wife. Gerber also didn't see the Amish buggy before he rear-ended it at 60 miles per hour. The results were devastating: clothes strewn across the pavement, a crumpled buggy, a mangled horse, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old dead.

Weeks after the horrific accident, Gerber received a letter from Martin Swartz, the father of the children whose lives Gerber had negligently taken. Here's what it said -"Dear Ones, Trusting in God's ways, How does this find you? Hope all in good health and in good cheer. Around here we're all on the go and trying to make the best we can. I always wonder if we take enough time with our children. Wishing you the best with your little one and the unknown future. I think of you often. Keep looking up. God is always there..Sincerely, Martin and Mary Swartz." Chandler Gerber had been forgiven.

Christians are called upon to follow the example of Jesus. In the garden on the night of His betrayal and arrest, Jesus was deeply troubled as He prayed to His Father. He understood clearly what horrific suffering that was pending as He cried, "Father, can this cup pass from Me?! But not My will but Your will be done." On that fateful night when their children were killed Martin and Mary Swartz were offered the cup of forgiveness for young Chandler Gerber. They may have thought, "Can this cup pass from us? Must I forgive the one who killed our children in a senseless and careless act?"

This grieving couple made the decision to forgive and even write a note of encouragement to the one who took the lives of their babies. And like Jesus, and like the Swartz’ we too as followers of Christ must learn to live and act greater than how we may feel, and say, -"Not my will Father, but Your will be done." And God’s will is to forgive.

It is God’s nature to forgive. His unfathomable love demands it. Forgiveness is not without cost - to forgive us of our sins required the Father to sacrifice His only Son. God’s love also demands that we who are forgiven to forgive those who have wronged us. God understands that it is just not in the nature of man to forgive, so He freely bestows on His saints His Divine Nature, -"His divine power has to us everything pertaining to life and godliness. . .that you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Jesus taught that the unforgiving will not be forgiven by God. God knows that the unforgiving cannot experience the freedom that is in the joy of the Lord. Peter asked Jesus, -"How many times a day should we forgive a person, -seven times?" No doubt Peter thought he was being generous. But the Lord replied, -"I do not say ‘seven times’ but seventy times seven!"

This must have sounded unreasonable to the Apostles. Who would forgive someone near 500 times in a single day? Understand that when God forgives He also forgets. The Covenant of Promise is one in which we are not only forgiven, but that God removes our transgressions against Him from His memory, -"This is the Covenant that I will make with them. . .I will put My Laws upon their heart and on their mind. . .And their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more. Now where there is forgiveness of these things there is no longer any offering for sin." (Hebrews 10:16-18)

When we choose to forgive and to also stop thinking about it the offence will begin to fade from our memory. I once sold a man two of my vehicles and arranged for him to make payments. He never paid for the vehicles. He wrecked one of them and I repossessed the other. I filled out the paperwork to take it before small claims court but never filed the suit.

One day I received a call from the man who said that he was sorry and wanted to make amends. He suggested that I sell him the vehicle that I had repossessed back to him at the cost of both vehicles to make things right.. I agreed, but again he failed to pay the debt he owed and went into hiding. I decided to forgive the debt and to ask God to forgive the man. As time went on I came to realize that I could not remember the man’s name -I had completely forgotten it. That is when I truly knew that I had released the man’s offence.

Suppose you were at a crowded airport and a man suddenly bumped hard into you from behind and continued walking, saying nothing. You may quickly feel indignant and think, -"How terribly rude that man must be!"

But what if you went to the man to confront him only to discover that he was blind and mute? Well that would change everything because now you know that he hadn’t bumped you carelessly or on purpose. But what reward should you expect from God for acting how people in the world would act? Everybody understands an accident. It’s easy to forgive an accident.

But what if there was malicious intent? The man who agreed to buy my vehicles had deliberately conned me, so in a sense I was offered the cup of forgiveness for a true transgressor. I still decided to forgive and forget and have reaped a rich harvest from that decision. There is an old Chinese proverb that says, "Before you embark on a journey of unforgiveness, dig two graves."

To release an offender is to release God’s love and mercy. Perhaps there is no greater gift or sacrifice that you can offer your Heavenly Father than forgiving someone who has deeply hurt you. Perhaps there is no greater way to be more like Christ than to forgive. Forgiveness is the Spirit of Christ moving in you. It removes the hiding places of demonic activity. Forgiveness opens the windows of Heaven.

When a person perceives a profound insult it is quickly connected to a strong emotion and the brain freezes it’s circuitry. The more we think about the experience the more our brain senses the need to hardwire it into our sub-conscious mind. This becomes a stronghold of unforgiveness and you will eventually open the door to bitterness. You may begin to see everyone through the lens of that bitter experience. "Everyone" is a betrayer, "nobody" can be trusted. You will overlay your negative experience on everybody else. It becomes you new "reality."

Even something very minor can trigger you to strike out at another person. The person may respond, saying, -"Hey, I’m not that person!" And you may say, -"Oh, I know. It’s just that I had this bad experience in the past and I can’t get over it. I’m sorry."

But then it happens again and again making you very difficult to be a friend to. Sometimes it gets to the place where the person doesn’t not want to forgive someone who has hurt them. They may be reluctant to forgive because of fear. They may feel the need to relive the pain in order to keep motivated to protect themselves in the future. But this really causes a person to hold themselves hostage along with the offender.

But when you choose to forgive and make an effort to forget a wrong suffered a strong change takes place in your emotional state. You are no longer using energy to bind yourself to an offender. You have taken the off ramp and are no longer traveling on the highway to self-destruction.

Because of this wise choice your heart will begin to open up to God’s will. You will be flooded with positive energy and hundreds of positive chemicals will be released into you body. The act of forgiving releases oxytocin into the survival center of your brain. Your brain has receptors that will be filled with positive or negative chemicals.

Oxytocin fits into the same receptors sites as fear. More oxytocin and other positive chemicals filling these receptors means less fear and anxiety, less anger and hostility. Unplugging the negative and replacing the positive creates peace with God and with our fellow man. Now you can feel love unhindered and live free.

Forgiving transforms anger and hurt into healing and peace. To forgive is to forge a new future that will make you healthier. Harvard researcher George Vaillant discovered that forgiveness is a positive emotion that produces love, joy, compassion and gratitude. He also discovered, without surprise, that people who practice forgiving are much healthier. That it lowers your heart rate and your blood pressure. These positive results are God’s way of rewarding you for a sacrificial act of mercy and kindness. Why "sacrificial?" Because to forgive you will have to lay yourself down on God’s altar and die to self -to your will.

When you choose to forgive you are saying "I refuse to live as a victim! I will not live in and be bound by the chains of an offence!" When you choose to forgive the kingdom of darkness has been invaded with light. The dark lord of this age recognizes you as a dire threat and dreaded foe. The power of a resurrected life now stands in opposition unrestrained. You have removed what once encumbered you. You are unshackled by past negative experiences and can now move freely to war against the forces of evil.

There are many emotional and health benefits in practicing forgiving, but the greatest of all is in just following the example of Jesus. For we know if we continue to follow Him in all of His ways we will find ourselves dwelling with Him for all eternity.

"If I Save Myself Earlene will Die"

By Earlene Donelson

What a wonderful, loving God we serve! I was baptized into Christ in 1994 at the age of 34. Growing up in the WCG I don't remember not knowing about Jesus, but you can know about Him without knowing Him. As a Christian I knew that He died to save the world, for each person, according to the Bible. But I also knew there was doubt in my mind that He died for me personally.

I had been asking Him in prayer to take me to the cross. To make the cross more real to me. Then during a praise and prayer service, He did. I saw Jesus on the cross, in darkness, and I could hear the crowd taunting - "save yourself!" But Jesus replied - "No! If I do that Earlene will die!"

Now I know that Jesus is my Savior. He knew me before I was, and he loves me. He is my Savior and His Father is my Father. The devil can never tell me again that I am not worthy. My condition may not be worthy, but my position in Christ is worthy indeed. There is no doubt, as He said, - "Ask and you shall receive."

Are You Color Blind?

By Larry R. Lasiter

It’s amazing that racism could exist in the Church of God, simply because the Church is the Body of Christ - individual members of "One Body." The Church are called the sons of God who have been born of the Promised Seed through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

In the natural all of us were born of Adam’s seed which was preserved through Noah’s sons that produced the various cultures. Since we all are descendants of Adam there is no race but the human race. We were all born of one seed and one blood having descended from the first man and the first woman. The idea of different "races" comes from the concept and lie of evolution. Understanding that all people have original ancestry means there can be no "superior" human race.

But regardless of who we are in the flesh, Christians are one holy race in Christ. We are one people who are citizens of one Kingdom and all have the same Father. God chose an ancient people out of bondage in Egypt to be His own possession, but being born of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was not enough to even see the Kingdom of God. Jesus told the Jewish Rabbi Nicodemus that if he wished to see the Kingdom that he would have to be born again of the Spirit. (John 3)

Our text is clear enough saying there is neither Jew nor Greek in Christ, and that those who have been baptized into Christ are Abraham’s children of promise -meaning, Children of the Covenant of Promise given to Abraham.

The great Apostle Paul was an Israelite according to the flesh, born of the tribe of Benjamin. He was also a rising star among the Rabbinic teachers in Jerusalem before Jesus called him into His grace and service. But when looking back Paul counted it all as "rubbish" compared to being born in Christ. (Phil.3) To the Romans he explained it this way, -"Nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants; ‘But through Isaac your descendants will be named.’ That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants."(Rom.9)

Whether Jew or Gentile, all must be born of the Spirit of God. All men are descended from the first Adam and regardless of skin color must be born into the Last Adam to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, -"The first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. . .Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God:" (1 Cor.15)

Being a natural descendant of Abraham could get you a land flowing with milk and honey, but father Abraham wanted much more and was looking ahead, -"By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose Architect and builder is God." (Heb.11)

Satan is always working to divide because he knows that a house divided cannot stand. Race is but one of his tools, a tool which should have no success in the Church. The Bible says, "Without vision the people perish." No one can rise above the image they have of themselves. So, looking through our spiritual eyes, let us see the vision of who we are in Christ - and live into that vision united as one.

I Love You This Much

Sit in silence, hold your peace

Listen for the reason behind my tears

I can hear the echoes of thirty pieces

The sound of a life sold

Black and blue, criss-crossed and in disarray,

betrayal visible in the stripes across His back

A man, His body beaten and broken

The servant’s heart tortured and mocked

Cup bearer of stranger’s wrongs

For the atonement of man He drank it all

Out of man’s hatred crowned Him King

Out of man’s fear blasphemed His Name and nailed Him high

Head bowed and crucified

He looked to Heaven and gave up His life

Through His death His story is told

Through His death life is found

In the hearts eye He’s seen there with arms stretched wide

Telling the world, I love you this much

Deep Calls to Deep

By Larry R. Lasiter

When I was 19 years old I was called to a deeper faith. I had been raised in a Freewill Baptist Church whom my cousin served as Pastor. Sometime in my early teens the small Church decided to replace my cousin with another Pastor. This caused some offence with some in the congregation, including my parents and the little Church spilt. Some settled in other congregations and some, like my parents, just remained alone and stayed churchless.

I was a typical teen of the late 1960's and early 1970's, interested in sports, music, girls and fun. I no longer thought about Christianity, Church or the Bible. I tried not to think about those things because I didn’t want them to interfere with my chosen path of indulgence.

I was privileged to play keyboards in a popular rock band during my high school years, and I had serious ambitions to become a recording artist. In 1973 my band recorded six original songs which I had composed as a demo set to send to major record labels. After one rejection from Capricorn Studios we received strong interest from Casino Records out of Memphis, Tennessee. Gilbert Fouts, who owned controlling interest in the company came to Arkansas to visit me a number of times and eventually had his Producer Carl Friend call me with an offer.

While I was considering this offer that could set me on a trajectory which would take me even farther away from God, a strange, yet amazing thing happened. I suddenly felt compelled to begin reading the Bible beginning with the book of Matthew. Each day I spent hours reading and asking God what it all meant.

I liked to think of myself as a good person who wasn’t against God or Christianity. I just wanted to live my life without interference. I always thought that I would "hook up" with God on down the line later in life. At first I really didn’t "want" to read the Bible or to seek God. I was hoping to find a loophole where He and I could be "cool" with me pursuing a career in rock music and coming to Him later. But it just didn’t work out that way.

I hoped to find a shallow place where I could appease the Lord, but He is "deep" and was calling me to deep. After awhile the red letters of the Bible began to take hold of me. I began to hunger and thirst for the Word of God, for the truth. I began to understand that I had never been around Christians who actually hungered for God’s truth. I went to various "Christians" that I knew but I couldn’t find any who had the same interest and drive that I was experiencing. I had so many questions that I needed answers to.

It was at this time that I began talking with my Uncle, Doyle Johnson. I had long knew that he was "fanatical" concerning his religious faith. For years I had listened to my parents talk about how he was deceived and "brainwashed." Because of all that I had heard I had steered clear of him. But after I began discussing the Bible with him I found that he could show me in God’s Word everything that he believed. I could see much of it myself, and I knew that it was the truth-but some of it was far outside the mainstream of Christianity.

This is when I began to take my new understanding and paradigm view of the Bible to members of my family beginning with my mother. My mother was well versed in the Bible, though her paradigm view came from the typical mainstream. Our initial meetings did not go well, partly because she was emotionally conflicted since Doyle was her little brother whom she help raise after their father died. So, I went to other family members who were known to have a strong understanding of the Bible, one of which was my great Uncle. I came to love this man and truly respected him greatly. But I found that even as a new Christian who had not even read the Bible through yet, was more than a challenge for him.

So, my Uncle Doyle became my trusted mentor. It’s been oft en said, that one can acquire wisdom from their mistakes or from a trusted mentor. I could trust that if he stated any belief, that he could point to Scripture and Verse to show me why it was true. He helped to anchor me in this faith, though he suffered persecution for it.

As time went on, this dear man and I didn’t always see the meaning of the Scriptures the same way. We had our differences, but we weren’t afraid to lay out our arguments. Nor were we so stubborn that we could not stand corrected when shown that we were wrong. In his old age I would go pick him up to take him for a coffee break at the Old South Restaurant. And there we would do as we always did, discuss and argue the Scriptures. Sometimes we were joined by other family members. All I have now is the memories of those times and I cherish them. It was during those meetings that iron sharpened iron.

Though most of us actually fail to meditate upon it, there can be great power and influence in one life. Consider the power of one life. A life committed to the will of God. Consider the solitary life of the beloved Apostle Paul and of the example he left behind. Of how that man’s work changed much of the world. -and is still at work through his letters. Paul understood the cost. He was willing to lay down his will to live out the will of God. He declared to the Galatians that the life that he lived was no longer his but Christ’s, saying, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)

Perhaps no man has ever suffered the hardships of the Apostle Paul. Shortly after he was called into the Lord’s service he was persecuted by the Jews and not trusted by the Church. On the road to Damascus Jesus told Paul that he must suffer much for the cause of the Gospel. Paul was beaten more times than he could remember. He experienced hunger and exposure. He was stoned and left for dead. He was often betrayed by those whom he called "brother." And finally, this beloved Apostle was imprisoned in Rome and suffered martyrdom. And even in this he considered his death to be a libation offering to the Lord. But now his future is sealed in Christ for all eternity where he will receive a crown and glory and honor.

In the early 1800's a young Russian came to England to preach the Gospel. Though he did not know the English language he took it upon himself to learn it as quickly as he could. He was obviously very anointed of the Spirit and blessed by God. Great miracles took place where he preached. People witnessed such awesome manifestations of the power of God that they pressed upon him to know his secret.

But this man felt it was so sacred between him and the Lord that he should not say much. He understood that God’s Presence can be easily quenched. Finally, he said, "First God called me. And I found His Presence to be so precious that I said to God at every call I would obey Him. And I yielded, and yielded, until I realized that I was simply clothed with another power altogether. God had taken me-my tongue, my thoughts, everything. I was no longer myself. It was Christ working in and through me."

This young man had discovered what Paul had nearly two millennia earlier. That to fully yield to God is to be taken by God and used as the instrument of His divine will. How many among us dear brethren truly hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God? Have we listened quietly to hear His still voice calling us to yield to His will-to have the faith to step into the unknown?

I have discovered that when we venture into God’s River of Living Water we can commit to an ankle deep, knee deep or even waist knee service and stop there. But in that place we have reserved for ourselves the power of control over our lives. But when we truly seek the Lord in trust we may find ourselves in the place where our feet no longer touch the earth as we are carried by the mighty current of God’s will. That is the place where faith abides and where hope anchors our soul. Yes, deep calls to deep but many are too comfortable living in the shallows.

Our father Abraham came to this place in his life. He had faithfully obeyed God’s call to leave the city of his birth. To take his wife, servants, flocks and herds into the desert where there were unknown dangers. God led this faithful man into the depths of His will and yet Abraham obeyed. For his faithfulness, God had promised to give him a son in his old age.

Abraham and his wife Sarai had long ago lost hope of ever having children. After 25 years God fulfilled His promise and Isaac was born. But now the Lord was to ask Abraham to give to Him what was most precious-his only son, Isaac. "Take your son Isaac to a mountain three days journey from here and sacrifice him to Me" said the Lord. Yet Abraham never doubted. He was convinced that if he just faithfully obeyed the Lord that God would be faithful to him-even if it meant raising him from the dead. "Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me." (Psalm 42:7)

Throughout history great revivals have occurred. It’s usually God’s response to months or even years of persistent prayers offered in tears from people who refused to be satisfied in practicing a lifeless religion and who hungered for the personal Presence of God. They wanted more than merely singing hymns and listening to carefully organized sermons. There has always been a very few who weren’t happy until they witnessed a move of God. God is waiting for that few to hunger.

PROPHECIES

November 2001: "The Lord is well pleased with your church and is going to bless you mightily, especially in the things of the spirit. The Lord showed me great and wonderful miracles which will be taking place through your ministry. So church, continue to exercise the gifts you have been given without fear and without partiality." Ben Masita, pastor, Nyahururu, Kenya,

Summer 2000: "Little children, you are envelopes. Enclosed is the holy message of the King, sealed by the very signet ring, impressed with the image of the invisible God. You are sent forth to proclaim and to release the mystery of an everlasting message of faith. Sent as aliens and strangers in a foreign land, ambassadors for Christ - chosen to carry His Holy Seed, the eternal Word."Sarah (Lasiter) Moorer

Summer 2000: "The fire must be kindled afresh. The waters must be stirred, to produce the mighty waves of flame so desired in the hearts of My people." Sarah (Lasiter) Moorer

November 2000: "When the power of God is released the people will behold. The testimony of the righteous will be restored. Don't fall. Don't be discouraged. For I am nigh, even at the door. Behold, a true witness comes with power." Domenica Gordon

An Awakened Conscience

By Larry R. Lasiter

Before you came to Christ you were mostly untroubled by your conscience. You could practice sin and sleep well. But when the Lord called you and began to convict you through His Spirit, your conscience was abruptly awakened and was sensitive to the will of God. This new found awareness of sin made sin to be utterly wicked to you. Paul said that with his mind he agreed with the Law of God but painfully found that his agreement didn’t wholly prevent him from breaking it. He cried, -"Oh wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death!"(Romans 7)

He was asking who would save him from himself. The Apostle’s conscience was awakened to righteousness and to sin and he felt the pain of the violation. But Paul’s conclusion is one that as Christians, we all must come to receive by faith, -"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." (Rom.8)

God wants our conscience to be sensitive and our hearts to be soft so that we can truly hate evil and love righteousness, but we must not give the devil opportunity by receiving lying accusations against us. Though the body of sin and death is present with us, it is not us - we are a new creation in Christ and in Him there is no condemnation.

No saint past, present or future has the power to produce a righteousness worthy of the presence of the Lord. This is why God not only removes our sins, but clothes us with the righteousness of His Son.

The devil wants to accuse you but the Lord has already declared you innocent in Christ. Paul concluded that since he hated sin, loved the Law of God and wanted to obey it, that anything short of that was not produced by him but by the body of death present with him. Paul did not own the sin, he acknowledged the righteousness.

An awakened conscience and a sincere heart must receive the truth that we are in Christ, and in Him there is no sin. However, we must be sure that we are living in Christ for there are many who profess His name who are not. Jesus said that those who keep the Commandments abide in Him, so do not be deceived into believing that you are living in the truth of Christ while practicing lawless rebellion. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" (2 Cor.13)

"I must first have the sense of God's possession of me before I can have the sense of His presence with me."

"Lord, I am willing to break MY heart that I might satisfy THY heart." Watchman Nee

Release the Shame

By Larry R. Lasiter

Maintaining the right balance in Christ is sometimes hard to do. As the beloved redeemed of the Lord we should readily accept that we are clothed in the righteousness of the Lord and boldly enter into His presence without fear, -"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. . .let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." (Heb.10) We could never come boldly to God clothed in a righteousness of our own making - but the Father has clothed us with the righteousness of Jesus in order to draw us near, therefore let us never shrink back in fear.

Our text says that Jesus perfected our faith - let us fix our eyes on Him. This is not to say that we are not to examine ourselves from time to time, but we are to "fix" our eyes on Jesus, not on ourselves. If we honestly fix our eyes on ourselves we will see only our woeful condition, when it is our position in Christ that matters most. God is working on our condition but He accepts us according to our position - as very members of Christ’s Body - not in the distant future, but right now, -"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are." (1 Jo.3)

God would no sooner cut off a member of Christ’s Body than you would cut off a member of your own body. You might remove a dead member which no longer has life, but not a living member. Likewise, the only members of Christ’s Body that are cut off or fall away, are those members who allow themselves to become Spiritually dead. The life is in the blood of the natural body, and the life is in the Spirit in Christ’s Body.

Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame. It was not His own shame that Jesus despised - He took our sins, our guilt and our shame. Many receive the Savior because they come to see the gravity of their sins and understand the penalty of hell. Many receive forgiveness for their past sins but struggle with accepting forgiveness for the sins they commit daily. They hate sin and don’t want to sin, but still find themselves falling short everyday, and as a result are shackled with the chains of guilt and shame. Some begin to practice penance rather than repentance. They do good works, not because we are called to good works, or do good works to glorify God, but in a feeble effort to make up for their shortcomings. This is practicing a salvation by works and is rejecting the true salvation of the Lord which is free to all who will receive and follow Him.

The Lamb of God was sacrificed to set us free from sin and it’s penalty. But Jesus not only bore our sins and our penalty, He also bore our guilt and our shame. When we come to Christ we must let Him take our sins upon Him and our guilt and shame as well. Since He endured our guilt and despised our shame to set us free, let us not hold onto it ourselves but release it to Him. We are justified by His blood. To be justified is to be thoroughly examined, tried and found completely innocent. My friend, in Christ you are not a "pardoned criminal" but a "justified saint" who has no record of any sin ever committed in the book of your life. Release the shame and rejoice!

Questions and Answers

First, let me say that God has done something about the suffering in the world. Not only did God become a man in the form of Jesus to suffer death as payment for the sins of man, but He subjected Himself to a horrible beating so people could be healed of their illnesses. While on earth Jesus healed every suffering person who asked and still heals today.

Yes, man has suffered since he was created, but before you judge too harshly remember that God did not spare Himself of suffering even unto death on the cross. Jesus never committed any wrong but willingly chose to suffer and die for the sin which man had brought into the world. Man was created with a free will. God gave him the right to choose. The first humans chose to disobey God rather than follow His instructions. The Bible term for disobedience is "sin" and sin ultimately, is the cause of all suffering.

Have you ever thought of what it would be like to live in a world without choice? A world where people were like animals and just acted instinctively? Without choice there is no freedom, and without choice man would cease to be man. But the truth is God did create a perfect world without suffering and where the first humans had freedom. They chose to not follow God’s wisdom, and all of us who came thereafter followed the same pattern of disobedience. The result of that is the continued suffering and strife we see in the world. God did not cause the suffering yet still chose to share in it.

The Bible teaches that as a result of Adam’s sin Satan became the temporary "god of this world." The Bible also teaches that at the appointed time God will ultimately abolish Satan’s rule and establish His perfect Kingdom and end all suffering.

Dear Friend, you are thinking of God as if He were merely a human being. The Bible defines God’s nature as that of being holy, righteous and just. God sees sin much differently than we humans tend to. He views sin as an enemy that kills and destroys. Every bad experience you have ever had is a result of sin in the world. If you have suffered sickness, abuse, betrayal or the death of a loved one, it all came about as a result of sin. If you have ever pierced your finger on the thorn of a rose it is because of the curse of sin. Everyday children are abducted and subjected to unspeakable torture all because sin is in the world. War is a result of sin.

The first sinner was Satan the archangel who rebelled against God and the result of that was war in Heaven itself. Now ask yourself the question -"is it loving to overlook sin and allow these evils to continue for eternity, or is it loving to condemn sin along with the sinner who refuses to let it go and abolish it forever?"

There is no place in the Kingdom of Heaven for those who "love" their sins. This is why the first requirement for salvation is the repentance from sin. To "repent" means to turn from practicing sin. By its very nature sin spreads and infects. Lucifer’s sin spread to a third of the holy angels transforming them into demons. Adam’s sin spread to all men and the entire earth was cursed as a result. The ground began to produce thorns and weeds and the animals began to prey upon one another. This only occurred after sin entered the world through Adam. I can say that I am both happy and thankful that God will not allow sinners entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, because it would cease to be Heaven. Heaven would be transformed into the same sad state we now see on earth.

If someone does you wrong you can simply forgive the offence. God cannot do this with sin because sin must be dealt with and paid for. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness for sin. (Hebrews 9:22) For the sinner to be saved his sins must be paid for and washed away not merely overlooked. To overlook means that there is something still there. Jesus gave His holy life not to overlook sin but to pay for the penalty of sin so that all who would repent and yield to Him would become as if they had never committed sin at all. This is called justification. The person is not merely pardoned of his crimes against God but is declared "just."

1. The Bible does not teach that Jesus was resurrected on Sunday, 2. If He had it would not change the fourth Commandment or change the character of the Seventh day. It would not make the Sabbath unholy. If true it may not be wrong to honor that day but it certainly would give no license to dishonor the Sabbath day.

Although it is tradition to believe that Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday the Bible does not support this belief, nor does it confirm Jesus’ own words. When asked what sign would be given to prove that He was the Messiah Jesus answered -"the sign of Jonah. . .so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matt.12:39-40) Three days and three nights cannot be counted from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning.

The Bible clearly shows that Jesus was crucified on the Passover which is always a day of preparation for the High Sabbath of the First Day of Unleavened Bread. The Passover falls on the 14th day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar and can be any day of the week.

Most scholars agree that Jesus was crucified in 30 or 31AD -both had a Wednesday Passover. Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, put in the grave late that afternoon, remained for three days and three nights and arose late Saturday afternoon. Bible days begin and end at sundown, so at sundown Saturday would dawn the first day. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early Sunday morning while it was yet dark and found the tomb empty because Jesus had already risen the Sabbath before. If Jesus had stayed in the tomb until Sunday morning then it would count three days and four nights.