Christian E-Fellowship Group Messages
CHRISTIAN E-FELLOWSHIP GROUP MESSAGES A Ministry of God's Grace and Love to All Nations and Peoples. Date: Wed, Jan 15, 2003, Subject: NT SERVICE: INCREASE / DECREASE, DYING TO "SELF" SERIES
WORSHIP:
GOD IS OUR REFUGE
God Is Our Refuge And God Is Our Strength A Very Present Help In Trouble
God Is Our Refuge And God Is Our Strength A Very Present Help In Trouble
Therefore will not we fear
Though the Earth be moved
And though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the seas.
THE WORD:
He must increase, but I must decrease - He must grow more prominent, I must grow less so. [Isa. 9:7.]
- John 3:30
With such Great Quotes as:
Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see - know, be acquainted with [and experience] - the kingdom of God.
- John 3:3
and:
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish - come to destruction, be lost - but have eternal (everlasting) life.
- John 3:16
It is few and far between that we hear of the crucified life, dying to "self," humbling ourselves before the Lord, so that He can lift us up and our growing less, so He can grow more prominent.
We're not talking 2+2= 4 here, because when we give to God (in any Way, shape or form) it is He Who brings the increase and not we ourselves. For some there is a 30 fold increase, 60, 100 or even 1,000 fold according to the Word of God (trust me, It's in there). Which of us is greatest in the Kingdom of God? He who is least and servant of All.
Positions, Titles, Degrees, Intellect, Physical Strength, Spiritual Height, Emotional Stature, Financial Standing, Sexual Preferences, Complete and Total Reliance of "Self" mean absolutely, positively NOTHING to God apart from Christ Jesus! John the Baptist, the Forerunner of the Messiah, the One Called of God to make straight paths for Him Whose Lovely Feet brought the Good News to All Nations and Peoples of the World was spoken of by Jesus to be Greatest In the Kingdom of Heaven and among those born of women!
Why? Because He fulfilled his calling in life and death. He was ready, willing and able to do whatever God required of him, whenever, however, where-ever, to whoever without ever asking, "Why?"
Let's face it, we are on a long hard journey, but The Good Shepherd has gone before us and promises to lead and guide us every step of the Way! The ups and downs in your Christian walk are not always caused by disobedience, but many times are just the mountaintop and valley experiences we must endure in order to complete our trek here on Earth before knocking on Heaven's Door. Some of us bask in the "Son" Light at the peaks and others get nose bleeds from the high altitudes, but the fruit is almost always borne in the valleys where the shadow of death looms over us trying to discourage us from pressing onward and upward!
Like Paul the Apostle it is not necessarily easy to "press" on to that Higher Calling In Christ Jesus, but It Is Forever and AlWays Worth It!
Such a Powerful Proclaimer of the Lamb of God was John, Jesus' cousin who baptised Him, saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Him "like" a dove and heard the Voice Of The Father Confirm, "This Is My Beloved Son!" He knew he was not worthy to handle the sandals Jesus Walked In and cared not about letting anyone and everyone know that.
What strength of character! Such Humility! He was a True Friend of the Bridegroom, saw His Face, heard His Voice, pointed his own disciples to Him and lost his life for the Truth The Word Of God Stood For.
REALITY CHECK:
Who am I In Jesus?
What am I doing to accomplish His Will?
Where does He want me to "be"?
When He speaks to me do I react?
Why do I Love Him, Serve Him?
I don't care who you are in this World, but you need Jesus. Are you really man, woman or Child of God enough to lay your life down, your own hopes, dreams and vision in order for Him to have His Will and Way with YOU and those He Will Bring YOUR Way? Are YOU willing to drink the cup that He drank? Can you walk In His Shoes? He Who comes from Heaven is far above All - far superior to all others in prominence and in excellence. Who Is Worthy open the seal In Heaven? None, but the Lamb of God Who was slain! He MUST Increase and Grow MORE Prominent In Each and Every One of Hearts, Minds and Lives!
WE (in spite of your position, title or standing in this World) MUST Decrease and Grow Less, So that the Son of God's Light can shine ever brighter In and Through YOU until the Full Light of Day!
Whatever or whoever you're holding on to apart from Christ Jesus, let it, him or her go. Lay your love down, your life down, your will down, your way down and give Him your All, because He Will Fill YOU, Anoint YOU, Empower YOU, Enable YOU, Use YOU and Fulfill YOU! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Jan 15, 2003, Subject:
PSALMS AND PROVERBS SERVICE:
DYING TO "SELF" SERIES DAVID & BATHSHEBA
WORSHIP:
ALL THAT I CAN DO
All that I can do is thank HIm
All that I can do is pray
All that I can do is lift my hands to sing His praise
When the Father sent His Son
To live with us our lives to mend
He placed His Love upon the altar
That with Him we might ascend.
Lord the blessed Life you give me
And the Holy road You choose
Lead me all the Way to Calvary
And I'll only follow You.
Lord I only want You Blessing
While I'm sitting at Your Feet
Nothing in this World can woo me
From Your Holy Seat.
THE WORD:
Psalm 51
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had sinned with Bathsheba.
Imagine penning a song or Psalm over every sinful situation in your daily life.
What I did for Love? What kind of fool am I? Repentance brings cleansing, healing, forgiveness and restoration to our souls.
Even as a Christian we are bound to trip up somewhere along our Spiritual journey, but when we are convinced of the Holy Spirit to do the right thing or that we have done wrong we MUST set our hearts and minds to the Will and Way of God, lean not on our own understanding and put our total Faith and Trust In Him! Dying to self can be most clearly revealed in Our Savior's plea to Our Heavenly Father, "Not My Will, but Thine Be Done!"
Our God Is A God Of Mercy, Steadfast Love, Tender Mercies and Loving-Kindness! Humble your "self" before Him and He Will Lift You Up!
Confessed sin is not only blotted out, but our transgressions against God and man are completely and totally forgotten by Him. As Believers In Jesus we are washed thoroughly and repeatedly, cleansed and "made" wholly (HOLY EVEN) pure from All sin, iniquity and guilt by The Blood Of The Lamb! When the Holy Spirit shines His Light in your darkness, places your sin before you and makes you conscious of your transgression then acknowledge it before Him, because He Is justified In His sentence and faultless In His judgement.
Each and every one of us was steeped in sin from birth, because of Adam's fall in the Garden, but In Wisdom Truth came to the Garden of our hearts, purified us, cleansed us ceremonially; washed us and in reality has made us whiter than snow.
Listen to the Joy and Gladness and be Satisfied that God has given you a clean heart, renewed a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within you. He Is Willing and Able to restore You to the Joy of Your Salvation!
This is the Good News! The Gospel of Jesus!
We MUST teach transgressors His Way, so that sinners will be converted and return to Him!
God's Righteousness is ours, so let us open our lips and mouth to show forth His Praises! Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice by dying in our stead, so that we and the rest of the World could have Eternal Life (The Abundant Life) In His Holy and Precious Name! The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent].
Our "self" MUST be crucified in order for His "SELF" to live and rule and reign in our hearts and minds by Christ Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God working In and Through Us! Let Him complete the Good Work He has begun In You by bringing down that which is not of Him and rebuilding the walls of the New Jerusalem, so that He Will Delight in the sacrifices of righteousness offered upon HIs Altar of Love.
When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only one in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba], He taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. [1 Chron. 28:9; Eph. 6:4.]
- Proverbs 4:3, 4
I leave you with this, Our God Is A Redeemer!
Although David and Bathsheba lost their first born child (and Our Heavenly Father Gave His One and Only Child for us) God blessed them afterwards with Solomon who built the first Temple (Jesus allowed the Temple of His Body to suffer death, so that we could overcome and have Life). As A Child Of The Father, What is He saying to YOU Today? Hold fast to His Word, keep HIs Commandments and Live!
YOU are oh, so precious In His Sight! Let Him teach you and speak to your heart Today. How precious is the death (dead to "self," but alive unto Him) of the Saints In His Sight, because He wants you so much to believe, receive and know experientially His Complete and Total Love. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Jan 14, 2003, Subject: OT SERVICE: HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN!
GREETING:
Dying to "self" is something none of us looks forward to or likes to do, but it is not "us" that we are seeking to put to rest only the "sin nature" within. This message is sure to speak to All Who Have The Breath of Life In Them, so please, IM, e-mail, phone or visit someone Today and share the Love of God and these words of Truth with them.
Now, Let's Worship the Lord For He Alone Is Worthy!
WORSHIP:
PASS IT ON
It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around can warm up in it's glowing. That's how it is with God's Love once you've experienced it You spread His Love to everyone
You want to pass It on.
What a wondrous time is Spring when all the trees are budding. The birds begin to sing; the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's Love
Once you've experienced It
You want to sing, It's Fresh Like Spring You want to pass It on
I wish for you my friend this happiness that I've found. You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound. I'll shout It From The Mountaintop
I want my World to Know, The Lord Of Love Has Come To Me. I want to pass It on.
I want my World to Know, The Lord Of Love Has Come To Me.
I want to pass It on.
PRAYER:
Father God In Jesus' Name We Come To You Now and Ask that You Touch Each and Every Person Receiving This Message With Your Love, Redemption, Healing and Restoration. Use Your Word Lord To Change Hearts, Minds, Souls and Circumstances Today. Amen.
THE WORD:
2 Samuel 11:1-12:14
What is the "soul" of a man, his caliber and to what heights can he rise? There is no pit so deep that God cannot go deeper still! This message is about King David "a man after God's own heart." Please, read the portion of Scripture from 2 Samuel before we move ahead, because we have a lot of ground to cover here in the all too familiar story of David and Bath-sheba and I hope to get to the heart of the matter at hand. That old expression, "The bigger they are the harder they fall," applies to anyone in a leadership position without a doubt, but we all need to guard our hearts and minds In Christ Jesus. Apart from the Cleansing Power In The Blood Of Jesus, His Grace and Mercy, we All are without hope in this present World and the World to Come! This is why we have to pray daily by Faith to quench the fiery darts of satan, because Every Day Is A Spiritual Battle for Your Soul and the Souls of Others!
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
- 1 Corinthians 10:12
This incident between David and Bathsheba didn't happen in a vacuum over night, but was the climax of twenty years of taking more concubines (2 Sam. 5:3; Deut. 17), multiplying horses to himself (Deut. 17:16), silver, gold and wives (Deut. 17:17). God warns us In His Word that through these things and others our hearts would turn away from Him. Anyone of us who call ourselves by the name, "Christian" or "Believer" MUST recognize that there is a price to pay of keeping our life right before God.
As leaders we are called to be servants of All and as Servants of the Most High God we are called to lead! It's lonely at the top and bottom; sometimes we are misunderstood, True Friends are few, but Jesus Never Leaves Or Forsakes Us, Ever!
When you least expect it you're elected.
You're the Star Today. Smile! You're on Candid Camera! Whether you are the slave girl, Hagar in the desert or King David on the roof top of your castle, God SEES! A look develops into a desire and then forms into action. Feeling lazy, off-duty or alone? Watch your thought life, because to quote the words of Nathan, "a traveller," needs to be satisfied. I've seen Preachers shout, "I'm Pregnant!" Meaning they are filled with an idea, a passion and are about to give birth to that thought, Word, deed or action. The Word of God clearly states that sin gives birth to death!
Some of us know all too well what the lack of discipline with the flesh (our sinful nature), slackness, leisure hours, unguarded moments and the perils of an indulgent life can do. Even Moses knew that the pleasure of sin was just for a season and gave up the riches of Egypt to serve the God of the slaves! David was over 50 at this time in his life and certainly was not immune from the attacks of the enemy. Paul the Apostle exhorts us All to buffet the Body and keep it in subjection to the Will and Way of God!
Whatever you sow, you reap! Are you sowing seeds of trouble that will yield a climax of disaster for you and innocent others? Maybe you're just embarking on such a journey or in an association of God's will, but your behaviour is not.
There is No Temptation given unto man that God does not provide the Way OUT!
The choice is yours as to whether you take that Way or not. Temptation will surely come to us All in many shapes, sizes and forms, but when we Lean On, Trust In and Rely On Jesus, He Saves Us!
If you stumble and fall, repent, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward In Him. He Is A Loving And Forgiving God! But, if you deliberately walk into a situation where the devil can trip you up, seek companionship where you are going to be tempted, you will suffer the consequences and have to
learn your lesson.
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."
- John 8:7
Bathsheba lost her husband, her first born child from David and he had constant problems within his family household due to this sin. If we confess our sin as David did in Psalm 51, then God will forgive us and cleanse us from All unrighteousness! Sin Always Brings Judgement, is dangerous and desperate, but it cannot quench the Love of God!
Though forgiven we reap what we sow, drink of the bitter cup, are restored to fellowship by God Who Uses His Rod and Staff to Comfort Us and are Given Favor.
His Mercies are renewed every morning!
"For whom the Lord Loveth He chasteneth."
- Hebrews 12:6
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."
- Psalm 34:19
The Lord brings us into the Refiner's Fire, our sins come before HIm and He skims them away, so that He might SEE His reflection In Us. Allow the Light Of His Countenance to Shine Upon YOU and let Him touch and heal you in the secret places of your heart, mind and soul.
Jesus makes us holy, restores the years that the locust have eaten and presents us "faultless before the throne" of Our Heavenly Father! Let Him break your heart, humble you, bring you to repentance and confession, so that we can "Be" Men, Women and Children Of God After His Own Heart! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Jan 12, 2003, Subject: ABLE TO WALK?
GREETING:
Welcome to our continuation in the Book of Acts 3:12-26. I hope you will All IM, e-mail, phone, write or visit someone in your Christian E-Fellowship Group Today! Let's All Worship the Lord!
Better Is One Day (Matt Redman)
:
How lovely is Your dwelling place,
Oh Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You.
For here my heart is satisfied,
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
One thing I ask and I would seek,
To see Your beauty.
To find You in the place Your glory dwells My heart and flesh cry out,
For You the living God
Your spirit's water for my soul.
I've tasted and I've seen,
Come once again to me,
I will draw near to You,
I will draw near to You.
PRAYER:
Father God, We come to You Today In the Name of Your Holy Child Jesus and ask In His Precious Name that you would teach us Your Will and Way, so that we can go forward to accomplish Your Purposes In Our Life and the lives of others. Amen.
THE WORD:
And Peter seeing it, answered the people, You men, Israelites, why are you so surprised and wondering at this? Why do you keep staring at us, as though by our [own individual] power or [active] piety we had made [this man able] to walk?
- Acts 3:12
What exactly is this "it" that the Apostle Peter is seeing here? The wonder and amazement (bewilderment, consternation) over this miraculous healing of the beggar at the Beautiful Gate. There is no gift or power of our own that brings Glory to God, but in this case Our Heavenly Father Honored the Name of His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus (spoken In Faith by Peter) and raised up, strengthened, steadied, allowed him to stand, walk, leap and Praise God! To God Alone Be All The Glory, Praise And Honor Due His Holy And Precious Name!
Still Today people around the World deny, reject and disown the Pure, Holy, Just and Blameless One Who Alone can Give them the Abundant Life here and now along with Salvation and Eternal Life In Jesus' Name! He Is the Source of Life - the Author - Whom God raised from the dead and we are witnesses to the fact! It Is The Name Of Jesus that made this man strong and gave him perfect soundness [of body] before them all. Jesus underwent ill treatment, was afflicted and suffered, so that when we repent, change our mind and purpose; turn around and return [to God], our sins are erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing may come from the Presence Of The Lord! The Son Has Come To Dwell In "OUR" Hearts! Listen to His Word, Will and Way! Be Obedient To His Call! Ever soul that does NOT heed the Prophet (Jesus) will be utterly eterminated from among the people according to The Word Of The Lord. [Deut. 18:15-19; Lev. 23:29.]
All of the Prophets from those of Samuel and those who came afterwards proclaimed these days!
We (my dear brothers and sisters In the Lord Jesus) are the sons and daughters of the prophets and heirs of the covenant.
All the families of the Earth are to be blessed and benefited by the Seed (Heir) of Abraham, the Seed of Faith, Christ The Lord! [Gen. 22:18; cf. Gal. 3:16.]
It was to you first that God sent His Servant and Son Jesus, when He raised Him up (provided, gave Him) to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness and evil ways.
- Acts 3:26
Let Each and Every One of Us Go Forward In Jesus by Faith In His Name To Proclaim the Good News Of Salvation and Love Of God To All Nations and Peoples, so that they can be raised up, strong, steady, stand, walk, leap, Praise God and turn others from wickedness and evil. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Righs Reserved.
Date: Fri, Jan 10, 2003, Subject: ALL THE BLOOD OF THE RIGHTEOUS
GREETING:
Shalom My Dear Brothers and Sisters In the Lord G-d! Let us enter His Gates with Thanksgiving in our hearts and His Courts with Praise! This Is the Day the Lord has made, so Rejoice In It (and Him) and be Glad! E-mail, IM, call, write or visit someone today with the Love of G-d He has shed abroad in our hearts and minds In Christ / Messiah Jesus / Yeshua and let us Worship Him In Spirit and Truth!
WORSHIP:
I WILL ENTER HIS GATES
I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving In My Heart, I will enter His Courts with Praise
I will say this is the Day that the Lord has made, I will Rejoice for He has made me Glad.
He has made me Glad
He has made me Glad
I will Rejoice for He has made me Glad.
He has made me Glad
He has made me Glad
I will Rejoice for He has made me Glad.
PRAYER:
Father G-d, I ask that on this Sabbath Day we would enter into Your Rest, Your Peace, Your Fulness, Your Satisfaction and that you would Fill us with Your Love, Your Vision, Your Purpose and Your Passion as we enter into Your Word, Will and Way. Speak to us and anoint each and every one of us to speak Your Heart and Soul to others In Jesus' /
Yeshua's Precious and Holy Name.
Amen.
THE WORD:
Because of this, take notice, I am sending you prophets and wise men (interpreters and teachers) and scribes (men learned in the Mosaic Law and the prophets); some of them you will kill, even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues, and persue and persecute from town to town,
So that upon your heads may come all the blood of the righteous [those who correspond to the divine standard of right] shed on the earth from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar [of burnt offering]. [Gen. 4:8; 2 Chron. 24:21.]
- Matthew 23:34, 35
These are the Words of Jesus / Yeshua spoken to the scribes and Pharisees, pretenders - hypocrites! Know any?
Judge not lest you be judged, but let us look to the mirror and see what the Lord requires of each and every single "one" of us. "Self" examination is good, because let's face it if not for Jesus / Yeshua our "self" is in pretty bad shape.
Notice how He is speaking to a group of people who really had nothing to do with the crimes committed, but as a "Nation" they were under G-d's Judgement.
We are a "Royal Priesthood" and a "Holy Nation" In the Eyes of G-d Today according to NEW TESTAMENT teachings! All of mankind came from the loins of Adam and after Noah's Flood (when every living creature was destroyed off the face of the Earth) each of us comes from either Shem, Ham or Japheth. Shem is the Nation of Israel, Ham of Egypt (understand that it was the Land of Ham that held Israel captive before Moses came along) and Japheth (who happened to be Noah's first born son), so if your searching for the roots to your family tree this should definitely get you started. According to the Word of G-d, Those who are Born of G-d by Faith are Children of Abraham, The Father of Faith! Now, let me get to my point. Life is in the blood! Since the beginning of time as we know it blood has been shed and some Day soon G-d's Judgement will fall.
Since the 1970's over 400,000,000 babies have been aborted LEGALLY here in the USA. That's Right! FOUR HUNDRED MILLION SOULS knit together in their Mother's wombs by the hand of G-d Himself were literally "cut" short before their time. Innocent lives caught in circumstances they had nothing to do with and no control over.
Murder is bad enough, but the cold, calculated, cruel, planned death of the most purest form of life is beyond the worst of horror movies or our worst fears, because it is True and a regular fact of "life" in this great, big, beautiful World we live in. Phil Keaggy sings, "Who will speak up for the little ones?
Helpless and half abandoned. They have a right to choose Life they don't want to lose. I've got to speak up won't you?" I have always said that G-d is a G-d of CHOICE, but He Is A Righteous G-d and therefore will Judge those who do not "Choose Wisely." We as the Body of Christ / Messiah Jesus / Yeshua MUST pray and do whatever we can to bring "LIFE," ETERNAL LIFE to the forefront of our present existence!
Please, to any one who has had any part in any abortion understand that this is not written in any way to single you out or bring more pain into your life.
Unfortunately too many of us have brought death to others in all too many ways and situations throughout our lives (including our "Christian / Messianic Way" of Life). We are to bring the Essence of Christ / Messiah Jesus / Yeshua wherever we go and my hope and prayer is that we would bring others unto Life In His Name and death to the old "self" and sinful nature. Every unborn child is in the loving arms of Jesus / Yeshua just as all who have died In Him have His Word, Promise and Hope of Resurrection and some Day soon we will all (those who have put their complete Faith, Hope and Trust In HIm, Rely On Him, Lean On Him) be with Him Forever In Love, In Heaven, On Earth, In The New Jerusalem, Perfect, Pure, Holy and Blameless, because The Blood Of The Lamb Of G-d has cleansed us from All sin and unrighteousness! His Blood Cries Out Before G-d's Throne Of Grace And Mercy on our behalf!
All of us need forgiveness, G-d's Mercy, the Cleansing Blood to be applied to our hearts and lives if for no other reason, but that we are born sinners and only in Jesus / Yeshua, The Name Above All Names we MUST be saved! I don't care if you had a bad thought, said a hurtful or harmful thing, looked at someone the wrong Way, physically abused somebody, spiritually showed the "sign of the double-cross," broke someones heart, robbed, stole or destroyed property, sexually mistreated another or are just completely and totally the best person who ever set foot on planet Earth, You Need Jesus /Yeshua Today and Every Day of your Life to bring the ultimate Healing to your heart and soul, forgiveness of your sin! Life is In the Blood! Apply it to your Life and bring it to the lives of others around the World!
PRAYER:
Lord, Only You can touch our hearts and change our lives, so that we can be cleansed and purified to have communion and fellowship In You, so please, bring healing of mind, soul, spirit and give us the strength to go, do and be all that you have given us this life for In Your Holy and Most Precious Name. Amen.
One Drop of Jesus' /Yeshua's Blood will cleanse the vilest of sinners always and forever!
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012 All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Jan 9, 2003, Subject: OUR GLORY BEGINS AND ENDS WITH GOD
WORSHIP:
God Will Make A Way (Don Moen)
God will make a way, when there seems to be no way.
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side.
With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me.
Rivers in the desert will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade,
But His Word will still remain.
He will do something new today.
THE WORD:
But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God; [that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [that is, to lift us into the glory of His presence].
- 1 Corinthians 2:7
Although God never changes He is forever doing something new in and through us to melt and mold us into His Image and Likeness. That old song, "I my Life Lord, Be Glorified Today," should be something that we "allow" Him to do, because His desire is to lift us up into Him, so that we manifest His Love to All!
Paul Simon sang, "God makes His plans.
His information is unavailable to the mortal man," but thanks be to God His Perfect Will and Way "Is" Revealed to us in and through His Holy Word, The Bible.
Everything and anything worthwhile in this life begins and ends with Jesus. He Is the First and Last, the Alpha and Omega! The Revelation of God Is Jesus In All of His Glory! The Wonder and beauty of Him and all that He has done on our behalf. He was lifted up upon that tree to die for sinners, you and me. We "have" Eternal Life In His Name and therefore are Called of God to go forward In HIm to accomplish His Will and Way.
What a treasure He has given us! Such things to discover! The Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding of God!
All things are held together and found In Jesus!
When I set out to prepare a message it is not for the expressed purpose to entertain or to seek the approval of my fellow man, but to bring forth the things of God as revealed to me In His Word (living, spoken and written). Should I be able to impress any of you with my own words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom I would surely play the fool, but my prayer and hearts desire is to give you Jesus In All His Splendor and Glory!
This Is God's Desire, Will and Way. That we might enter into His Holy Presence and be so filled with Him and All that He Is that we would be elevated In Jesus.
The Word of God tells us as we lift Jesus up God will draw All men (meaning all of mankind) unto HIm, so that should be our hearts cry. Dear God, Give me Jesus, so that I may give Him to others! That Scripture verse about no eye seeing or ear hearing what God has prepared for us? I have Good News for you! He has revealed His Wisdom and Understanding to the Church, His Body, you and me!
The counsels and purposes of the Lord, His Knowledge, the Mind of Christ, thoughts, feelings and purposes of His Heart "are" ours In Jesus! We should be in the Word, prayer, communion and fellowship with Him daily in order for our lives to be fulfilled In Him!
The wisdom of this World is foolishness in the Eyes of God, but His Wisdom in our lives, in this present World we live in can change the course of human history and it is our "job" to reach this generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing lasts except the Grace of God and what we do In Him, Through Him and To Him! I challenge you to turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full In His Wonderful Face. Get into Him and "allow" (it's our free will to choose or reject His Perfect Will and Way for our own lives) Jesus to fully get into you. Lift up His Holy and Precious Name and you will be lifted up Into the Glory of His Presence and Shine! He wants us to be that city on a hill, the City of God, the New Jerusalem on His Holy Mountain to shine the Light of Light Into the hearts and minds of mortal, so that they may come to Know Him and Receive Eternal Life In Jesus' Name!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012 All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Jan 8, 2003, Subject: NO ACCIDENTS HERE / GROWING THE COMMUNITY OF GOD
WORSHIP:
LIFT HIGH THE BANNERS OF LOVE
Bringing our captives to Freedom
In the Name of Yeshua Our King.
Lift high the banners of Love.
Hallelujah!
Sound the trumpets of war.
Fighting God's battle to Victory.
Hallelujah!
Jericho must fall.
Brothers are you sure of your Calling?
Are you preparing this battle to lay down your Life for The King?
THE WORD:
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being formed in secret and intricately and curiously wrought (as if embroidered with various colors) in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].
Your eyes saw my unformed subtance, and in Your book all the days of my life were written, before ever they took shape, when as yet there were none of them.
- Psalm 139:15, 16
He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who gives a right answer.
- Proverbs 24:26
Do you know (experiencially) the reverential fear of the Lord? He Is Worthy of All Glory and Honor due His Holy and Precious Name! Wonderful are His Works and We are Created In His Image! Does your Spirit man (your inner self) know the splendor of the Lord Jesus?
Speak forth the things of God and Praise Him for Who He Is and what He has done for us all!
Nothing at all is hidden from Him. Not only has He given us life from conception in the womb, but In Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son we receive Eternal Life.
Each and Every One of us as an individual is knit together, formed In His Image, framed out and built up into Him as the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Living God, The Church, The Bride and Ambassadors for Christ here on Earth.
God has a blue print, a plan and purpose for each one of our lives and when we get still, sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Words of Life He speaks to our hearts and minds His Will and Way. It is no secret what God can do and what He's done for others He'll do for you. Let Him whisper in your ear something you can shout from the house tops! Whatever it is you are curious about He will give you the most intricate details while in your secret and quiet, place and time with Him.
"Deep calls to deep," the Word of God tells us.
Even in the depths of darkness God speaks Light to the human heart and reveals the mystery of Life and Love In Jesus. When Paul the Apostle spoke of marriage he proclaimed, "I speak to you a "mystery" of Christ and the Church!" The Bride Groom and the Bride! Jesus Loves the Church (we're not talking brick and mortar here, but the flesh and [Blood bought] Body of Christ here on Earth, YOU and me)! He is the Head and we are His Body, His Hands, His Feet and His Voice to speak out and proclaim to All Nations and Peoples that We Have Life (ETERNAL LIFE) In Jesus! The eyes of the Lord are ever watching us and loving us.
He sees it all and knows it all! Each of us is shaped to conform to His Image and Likeness!
God has dealt to us each a portion of Faith in order for us to live our lives unto Him (In other words: God has put His Faith In Us in order for us to be "ABLE" to Go, Do and "Be" All that He has Commanded of us in His Word!). His thoughts towards us are precious and "weighty" according to His Word. They are "REAL" and of a substance in the spirit realm that touches the soul. If you could count every star in the heavens or every grain of sand on the shores all the days of your life you could not fathom the vast sum of God's Loving thoughts directed towards you.
Want to be upright (in a rightstanding / righteous relationship) with God? Rebuke the wicked and all will be well, you'll find delight and God's blessing will rest upon you. Resist the devil and he "must" flee from you, but I'm not saying, rebuke everyone you know who disagrees with you or the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
Sometimes I think we'd all be better off if we took care of the log that is in our own eye and lovingly helped our wayword Brothers and Sisters In the Lord out with the splinter in theirs. I'm talking "self examination" here and not condemnation! We are Called to Love our enemies into Heaven just as Jesus lovingly captured all of our affections by His laying down His Life for us, so that we could have the Abundant Life In His Name! Putting first things first by breaking up the fallowed ground, seeking first the Kingdom of God, His Righteousness, His Peace (Jesus Is Our Peace) and His Joy (the Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength) In the Holy Ghost. Examine yourself, make yourself ready and then LOOK! Unto the fields which are ripe and ready for the harvest. Build up yourself In the Holy Spirit of God and then Go Forward In Jesus' Name, allow Him to work In and Through YOU to Build up the House of God and Establish Our One True Home. Where your heart is there your treasure will be. God has given us His Heart In Jesus.
We are the "Pearl of Great Price," but the necklace has yet to be completed and placed around the brides neck, so that she can be adorned and presented to the Husband of Her Soul, Holy and Blameless In His Sight! Allow God to touch your lips and anoint them with the Words that He would have you speak to the hearts and lives of others. Beautiful Bride of Christ, Go out and win the hearts of men!
Speak the Truth In Love and be ready to give a right answer to everyone and anyone who has questions of the Way, Truth or Life. Jesus Is the Answer for the World Today! Above Him there's no other. Jesus Is the Way!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Jan 7, 2003, Subject:
COVENANT OF LOVE
The Lord inhabits the Praises of His People, so let Us Worship Him In Spirit and Truth. Come Holy Spirit and Let Your Fire Fall! Fill Our Hearts Lord with Your Presence, Life and Love!
WORSHIP:
COME AND FILL THIS TEMPLE
There's a place of unity
A place for fellowship
There's a place where people come together There's a Spirit of the Holy One
That binds our hearts as One
And we're filled afresh with Holy Love
Come O Come and Fill This Temple
With the Glory of the Lord
Come O Come and Fill This Temple
With the Glory of the Lord
So we wave with open arms
We're hungry for Your Touch
And We Worship In The Name Of Jesus
Oh Live In Us for Greeting You
And Warm Our Hearts within
With A Fire and Heat of Pentecost
WELCOME:
Greet your Brothers and Sisters In the Love of Jesus. Offer up yourself to serve them and uplift them in your prayers. Contact them today by e-mail, IM, telephone or visit.
PRAYER:
Father, You have Bestowed Your Love Upon Us and We Thank You for All You Are. Teach Us and Grow Us Up In Your Beloved Son Jesus, so that we can "Be" Mature Christians and Walk In Your Will, Way and Most of All Your Love In Jesus' Name. Amen.
THE WORD:
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own life.
And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his armor, even to his sword, his bow, and his girdle.
- 1 Samuel 18:3, 4
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And the Lord will require that this covenant be kept at the hand of David's enemies.
And Jonathan told David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and yours forever. And Jonathan arose and departed into the city.
- 1 Samuel 20:16, 42
There are no words that can allow me to communicate to you the Love that God has for Us. Each and Every Member here is Precious In His Sight and we are most valuable to each other, because although we are many parts, we are One Body.
Please, allow God's Holy Spirit to speak to your hearts and minds as I attempt to shine my candle into the Light beyond Light.
Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life.
He delighted much in David and spoke good of David to his father. While they were still alive they showed each other the loving-kindness of the Lord and vowed not to cut off that kindness from their houses forever. Before David went to Nob they kissed one another, and wept with one another. Theirs was a love greater than a man's for a woman or a woman's for a man, but a Holy Love of God and for God! Do you know this Love? It's an intimate, personal, respectful, caring, sharing, giving, hoping, enduring, joyful, happy, fulfilling, breathtaking and passionate Love that God pours into our hearts and lives as we rest In Him and submit to His Perfect Will and Way.
The Word of God tells us that we were All "knit" together in our Mother's womb, Created In the Image of God, that we "ARE ONE" with the Father In Christ Jesus through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit working In and Through Us All!
In marriage the husband is to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife.
The two become "ONE" flesh and we are not talking about being "stuck" together here, but joined together in a perfect union to commune and fellowship with each other and God. A three fold cord is not easily broken yet unfortunately even for Christians it does break, but True Love, God's Love Never Gives Up, Never Loses Faith, Is Always Hopeful and Endures Forever. God Is Faithful and Jesus Never Fails! Jonathan and David had Real Love, God's Love, Brotherly Love and their souls were "One" in the things of God and for each other Forever!
They covenanted with one another, joined in a pact, agreed to give their all and wanted nothing but the best to be for both of them. Jonathan is a type of Jesus in this story of God's Love for His Fellow Man. Jesus Loves us as He Loved His Own Life, so much so that He gave up Heaven to come to Earth, gave His Life, so that we could have Eternal Life In His Name and if our whole household Believes on Him, Trusts In Him, Relies On Him and Puts Their Faith In Him then His Loving-Kindness Will Follow Us ALL the days of our Life In Him right Into ALL Eternity! He stripped Himself of Heavens Glory, placed the robe of His Righteousness Upon Us, has given us the Full Armor of God, even the Word of God (the Sword of the Spirit), His bow (notice there is no mention of arrows as with the rider on the white horse in the Book of Revelation Who rode forth with a crown conquering and to conquer. [Zech. 1:8; 6:1-3; Ps.45:4, 5.] - Revelation 6:2), and His girdle - having tightened the belt of His Truth around our loins. Let me not forget to point out that Jesus like Jonathan arose and departed to the city, but Jesus arose from the grave conquering sin and death, is now seated at the right hand of God Our Heavenly Father and is preparing the City of God for us, The New Jerusalem that will come down from God out of Heaven and we will live Forever with Him In Light and Love as "ONE" In Our Heavenly Bodies, Soul and His Holy Spirit!
And David went out and he prospered and behaved himself wisely; was set over the men of war, and it was satisfactory to the people and to the servants. We are the Body of Christ Jesus and the Representation of Him here on Earth, Called of God to Go Out and Prosper In His Name, to "Be" "WISE" as serpents, but gentle as doves, wrestling not agaist flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the Heavnely realms and to satisfy the souls of All Nations and Peoples by bringing them into a right relationship of Love with God the Father through Jesus the Son by the Power of His Holy Spirit working In and Through Each and Every One of Us Who Call Themselves "Christians!" Without Faith it is Impossible to please God, Hope is the Vision of God's Will and Way being fulfilled in our lives and in the lives of every human being on the face of this planet we call Earth, because God wishes that NONE would perish, so that ALL would come to repentance, but the greatest and I do mean the GREATEST of ALL IS LOVE!
Make a covenant with God Today and with your fellow man to Love Him with All your heart, mind, soul, spirit and strength and to Love your neighbor as yourself. Not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit says the Lord In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012 All Rights Reserved.
Please, feel free to distribute this message to any and every one you know, because Love Never fails and Conqueres ALL!
Date: Tue, Feb 4, 2003, Subject: OT MESSAGE: NAMES AND NUMBERS
WORSHIP:
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here Among you Among you Among you Among you
Among you Among you Among you Among you
The blind see, the deaf hear,
The lame men are walking, sickness must flea at His voice The dead live again and the poor hear the good news Messiah is King so rejoice!
THE WORD:
And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called him Moses, for she said, Because him out of the water.
- Exodus 2:10
Out of the "Sea of Humanity" Moses was chosen of God to bring deliverance to His People, but he is just a "type" of Messiah, because God told Moses and the Nation of Israel that He would raise up A Prophet from among the brethren, like Moses, will put His Words in His Mouth; and He shall speak to them all that God Commands. And whoever doesn't hearken to God's Words which He shall speak In His Name, God Himself will require it of him. God has given us His Word and His Name, He has spoken to us in these last days through His Son, Jesus and every Believer is called of God (by name) to go forward In His Will and Way! God knit you together in your mother's womb and knows all your days.
Moses was born into this World when every male of the Israelites was being killed at birth by order of Pharaoh. His parents saw that he was no ordinary child, that he was exceedingly beautiful, so they hid him for 3 months and finally by Faith launched him by ark into the Nile, but on the providence of God. His family expected that God would do something worthy of Himself, because of His Faithfulness and as The Great Redeemer He had the daughter of their greatest foe become the babe's patroness.
Each of us should have a story to tell about how the Holy Spirit of God led us to Jesus and the Place we are Today In Him. I understand that every one of us is an individual with hopes, dreams and visions, but this World is all too often unkind and impersonal. My desire and goal is to reach as many people with the Love of God and the Good News of Jesus as possible, not for the sake of tallying up names and numbers, but for His Name Sake and to bring lost souls into the Kingdom of God! Just as we are adopted into the Family of God, Moses was brought into the household of Pharaoh, but I want you to notice one thing here Today. There is no mention what-so-ever of the name that Amram and Jochebed originally gave their beloved son.
However it is clear that God approved of the name Pharaoh's daughter gave the child, because on several occasions when calling him He repeated it by saying, "Moses, Moses!" Do you know what your name means? Mine means Prayer Warrior of God. My daughter's name is Aisha which is African for "Life."
I've only known one person in my life who legally changed their name from Helen to Danielle, but let's just think about this for a minute. God numbers All the stars and calls them each by name, His thoughts towards us are more than the number of grains of sand on the shores throughout All the Earth and every hair of our head is numbered as well, so I'd say, He Has His Eye On Us.
Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, Solomon's name was not originally that, Moses changed Joshua's first name and then there's Daniel along with his 3 friends, Joseph in Egypt, Benjamin, Simon (the reed swaying in the wind) to Peter (Petra, The Rock), James and John (the son's of thunder [Remember how their father freaked out on them when they left their fishing boat to follow Jesus?] who wanted to rain down thunder and lightning upon those in unbelief), Barabbas (son of the father who was released, so that the True Son of Our Heavenly Father could die in our stead), Onesimus who was once unprofitable became profitable and the list goes on and on throughout the Scriptures and in our lives Today!
YOU are NOT just a name or number here, but a Chosen Vessel of God Fit for His Use, Valuable and Priceless In the Kingdom of God, Baptized into the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit! The Name Above All Names Lives, Moves and Has His Being In YOU! Offer up yourself to Him Today and allow Him to fulfill His Purposes In and Through YOU, because Every Gift and Every Talent Given Us is to be used for His Glory, Honor and Praise!
You are no ordinary child, but a Child of God and You Are Precious In His Sight!
He will watch over you, have no fear of consequences, only that God will do something worthy of Himself, because He Is Faithful, True and God amply rewards those who diligently seek Him, His Will and Way according to His Holy Word In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Date: Wed, Feb 5, 2003, Subject: PSALMS & PROVERBS: Lasting Forever & Community Matters
WORSHIP:
EARTHEN VESSELS
We have this treasure
Not made of gold
In earthen vessels wealth untold
One treasure only the Lord Yeshua
In earthen vessels
Light shall shine out of darkness
God will shine in our hearts
With the light of His glory in Yeshua
We hold this treasure
And so do not lose heart
The light yet shining in the dark
His holy presence
His unfailing love
In earthen vessels
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The shining light of Yeshua
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
In earthen vessels
..........
THE WORD:
The counsel of the Lord stands for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.
- Psalm 33:11
He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
- Proverbs 28:23
At a time in human history when nation rises against nation with wars and rumors of wars it is a comfort to know that God Is Still On His Throne And Prayer Changes Things! His thoughts are not our thoughts and His Way is not alWays our way, but the Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the people to no effect.
As God's Chosen People, His heritage, we "are" blessed - happy, fortunate [to be envied] - the nation whose God is the Lord. A Faithful man, woman or child shall abound with blessing; but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not be unpunished. Wealth [not earned] but won in haste, or unjustly, or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use, [such as] will dwindle away; but he who gathers little by little will increase them. An inheritance hastily gotten [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning, in the end will not be blessed.
[Prov. 28:20; Hab. 2:6.] Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, That is no sin, he is in the same class as [an open, lawless robber and] a destroyer.
Wealth is not necessarily financial gain and robbing someone doesn't mean you obtained something from them illegally.
Trying to gain power, titles and positions before God's timing, stealing someone's joy or peace is a violation against mankind and God Himself! We find favor, God's Grace when we are obedient to His Word, Will and Way. Speaking the Truth In Love, In Mercy and walking humbly with Our God is what He requires of us, so let us go forward In Jesus doing those things that matter for All Eternity which will build up the Community of the Saints and Glorify Our Lord and Savior! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2003, Subject: NT MESSAGE: SEEKING GOD
WORSHIP:
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
And His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
And His love endures forever.
He is good, He is good,
And His love will forever endure
We will bless His name as we all proclaim His love endures forever.
He made the moon and e stars at night
And His love endures forever
With outstretched arm and by His might
And His love endures forever.
Adonai, Adonai, Baruch Ha Shem Adonai
Adonai Melech, Adonai Melech, Adonai Yeshuatenu.
THE WORD:
And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation - their settlements, lands and abodes; So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.
- Acts 17:26, 27
God Himself gives life and breath and all things to all [people]. He gives spirit to those who walk in it, has called you for a righteous purpose and in righteousness; taken you by the hand and kept you; given you a covenant for a light to the nations; to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison. [Matt. 12:18-21.]
Although these Scriptures apply to Jesus as Messiah He says, "As the Father has sent Me, so I Am sending YOU!" For In HIm we Live and Move and Have Our Being; For we are His Offspring as born-again Believers In Jesus!
Each of us are created in the image of God and science Today proves that we all came from one human being. Out of the first Adam God created Eve, the Mother of All, God Is Our Source and Life Is In the Blood! The second Adam, Jesus shed His Precious Blood on the Cross at Calvary to redeem all of mankind and bring us back into a right relationship with Our Heavenly Father. He is the first-born from the dead unto Eternal Life and All Who Believe On Him enter into redemption and the promise of Resurrection In His Holy Name! Through DNA testing scientists have been able to trace the origins of mankind, how they inhabited and populated the World.
What is our primary purpose in Life? To seek God in Hope, feel after Him and find Him! Thou shalt Love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul, spirit and strength and Thou shalt Love thy neighbor as thyself are the two greatest commandments. Seek and you shall find.
Knock and the Door shall be opened unto you! God Is Calling each and every one of us into a closer walk and relationship with Him. He wants us to go out In His Name to seek and save those who are lost in a sick and dying World! People are mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, sexually and some completely bankrupt. God wants to fill them with His Holy Spirit, His Love, His Peace, His Fulness, His Blessings and His Joy, so that they are totally satisfied In Him. Only In God is our soul at rest!
When God saw that mankind had become so evil, corrupt and wicked He brought the flood and destroyed everything that had breath on this Earth except for Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives.
Shem, Ham and Japheth then repopulated the Earth as we know it Today! Are you seeking after God Today?
Are you Hoping and Feeling after Him until you find Him? My God shall supply your every need according to His riches in Glory. He has set allotted periods of time, fixed boundaries, settlements, lands and abodes for each of us, so let us be found seeking after Him for All He Is To Us In Jesus' Name according to His Word, Will and Way! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Feb 7, 2003, 7:03pm Subject:
MESSIANIC MESSAGE: JESUS' SUFFERING TO SATISFY THE JUSTICE OF GOD
WORSHIP:
THE LORD IS COME
The Lord is come in glory and power
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name The Lord is come, Hosanna, Hosanna
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name
The Lord is come in glory and power
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name The Lord is come, Hosanna, Hosanna
The Lord is come sing praise to His name
The Lord is come in glory and power
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name The Lord is come, Hosanna, Hosanna
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name
For the Lord has come to Zion
He will dwell in the midst of our praise We will magnify and exalt Him
Lift Him up for all to see
THE WORD:
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.
- Isa. 53:10
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ / Messiah died for our sins according to the scriptures.
- 1 Cor. 15:3
2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20
No deceit was found in His Mouth, He had done no violence, but He was assigned a grave with the wicked. He took our guilt [with their consequences], iniquities, made us righteous, justified and is satisfied in the salvation of our souls! It was G-d's Will For Jesus / Yeshua to become sin on the Cross In Our Stead, so that by Faith In Him we should become spiritual offspring of His!
If we hold fast to the Truths of G-d's Holy Word, His Precious Will for our Life and His Way In Jesus / Yeshua Christ / Messiah we are Saved In Receiving Messiah / Christ, the Anointed One! He rose again from the dead, so that we could live the Abundant Life In His Name!
G-d makes HIs Appeal to the World through us as His Ambassadors to reconcile them to Him. Receive not G-d's Grace, His Merciful Kindness in vain, but strengthen one another while it is still called Today to fulfill His Purposes for your Life In Jesus / Yeshua!
Each and Every One of us is Called to the Crucified Life and to live unto G-d as Jesus / Yeshua did on this Earth. Dead to the World and Alive Unto Him, so that Christ / Messiah Lives In Us, Moves In Us and has His Being In Us By Faith!
According to the Scriptures Messiah / Christ did not die groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. - His death was then wholly superfluous, Holy for our sakes, so let us not let Him down. Receive the Word delivered unto you, believe it, act upon it, so that you can be a blessing to others and be blessed yourself in Jesus' / Yeshua's Name. Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/simplechurchfellowship
and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of G-d / G-d of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, Subject: ACTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS: ACTS 4:31
WORSHIP:
HOLY HOLY
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Holy, holy, holy, holy
Gracious Father, gracious Father
We're so glad to be your children
Gracious Father
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Gracious Father, gracious Father
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus
We're so glad that you've redeemed us,
Precious Jesus
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit
We're so glad that you have filled us
Holy Spirit
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.
Holy, Holy...
THE WORD:
And when they had prayed, the place in which they had assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.
- Acts 4:31
Need I say more (of course you know I will :)? I Know that God Is With US! He Is Faithful and True, so let us give Him All the Glory, Praise, Worship and Honor due His Holy and Most Precious Name for what He Is Doing Here Among US! We have Freedom In Jesus here to speak forth the things of God as the Lord lays them on our hearts and as iron sharpens iron we can reason together in His Holy Spirit of Love and Humility while we seek His Will and Way Together According to His Word. This "Place" God has brought us to is provided by Him, for us, so that we can commune and fellowship with each other and Him, come together in The Unity of His Holy Spirit and Purpose to Edify each other In Jesus and GO into All the World with the Good News! Are you praying daily? Have you asked God to "move" you, to shake you? We can shake off the dust from our feet and move along our merry way quite easily on our own, but it is the inner workings of God's Holy Spirit and His Word that cleanses us from All sin and unrighteousness and moves us ahead In Him, His Perfect and Acceptable Will for our Life In Jesus and His Way. Give your life over to Him completely and totally, so that you can Experientially Know The Abundant Life In Christ that He has Promised you In His Holy Word.
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit of God? He who has the Son has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life. Christ In YOU Is the Hope of Glory! The Word of God commands us to Be Filled (and to continually be being filled) with The Holy Spirit! This is not a once a lifetime deal we're talking about here, but as He prepares His Table before us in the presence of our enemies our cups are to be overflowing! Can you drink of this cup? Are you pouring your Life In Christ out as a drink offering unto Him as the Apostle Paul did and countless others throughout the ages?
Jesus says, "My Word Is Spirit and my Word Is Life!" and He calls each and every one of us to speak forth His Word to the World in which we live, move and have our being. He who the Son sets Free Is Free Indeed and if you are a Believer In Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you have Freedom to "go", "do" and "be" All that He has called you to. As an individual and as a Member In The Body Of Christ Jesus each of us is called upon to do our part In Jesus' Name to bring His Love to All Nations and Peoples!
"Be of strong courage!" God told Joshua (a form of Yeshua / Jesus which means, God Is Our Salvation) and He is telling All Believers Everywhere the same thing Today! He Is With US! He said He'll Never Ever leave or forsake us, so be Bold In The Lord and in The Power of His Might!
Put on the Full Armor of God! Pray In The Spirit! Fight The Good Fight Of Faith!
And when they had prayed! Such simple words, yet oh so powerful when applied to our everyday lives and activities. What we do in the flesh amounts to nothing in The Light of Eternity and is fruitless, but what is done In The Spirit will bring forth much fruit and lasting fruit for The Kingdom of God. Let us Walk In The Spirit and Fulfill His Calling Today!
Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Jesus, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Feb 12, 2003, Subject: OT MESSAGE: FUGITIVES AND VAGABONDS
WORSHIP:
ALL THAT I CAN DO
All that I can do is thank Him
All that I can do is pray
All that I can do is lift my hands to sing His praise
When the Father sent His Son
To live with us our lives to mend
He placed His love upon the altar
That with Him we might ascend.
Lord the blessed life you give me
And the holy road you choose
Lead me all the way to Calvary
And I'll only follow you.
Lord I only want your blessing
While I'm sitting at your feet
Nothing in this world can woo me
From your holy seat.
THE WORD:
When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth [in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast].
- Genesis 4:12
What drives your life? Cain was cursed by reason of the Earth, which opened it's mouth to receive Abel's [shed] blood from his hand. "My punishment is greater than I can bear or too great to be forgiven!" said Cain to the Lord.
"Could have been me put the thorns in Your Crown. Rooted as I am in the violent ground. How many times have I turned Your Promise down? Still You Poured Out Your Love, Poured Out Your Love."
- Bruce Cockburn
Jesus became sin for us when He died on the Cross at Calvary, because the Word of God says, "Cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree."
We who are In Christ Jesus are no longer under the curse, but unfortunately have to deal with the results of it in our everyday life here on Earth. How much innocent blood is shed around the globe by abortion, war and murder?
Life Is In The Blood and we shall All give an account to God for our actions or inaction. The righteous blood of Abel cries out before the Throne of God and the blood of All up to Today that was spilled upon the Earth. A Just God demands punishment, but Jesus took our punishment upon the tree, poured out His Precious Blood to Redeem us from the curse of sin and death and brought us back into a right relationship with Our Heavenly Father!
Struggling in your daily life? Digging in and getting nowhere fast? Losing ground instead of gaining? Getting low yields on high investments? Running from people, places and things like a fugitive, a vagabond? Feeling like you're in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast of society Today? Thinking you've committed the ultimate sin and could never be forgiven and your punishment is far too much for you to bear?
Give Everything Over To God! Jesus has paid the ultimate price for All! He promises you the Abundant Life, Eternal Life In His Holy and Precious Name! We "Are" Winners and not losers In Jesus! In Him we reap 30, 60 and 100 fold of Everything we sow! You are a Child of the King, Sons and Daughters of the Most High God! God has Forgiven us In Christ Jesus, Redeemed us from the curse, taken our punishment and Made us Holy, Pure, Blameless and Whole In His Sight!
Believe Him, Trust Him, Rely On Him, Cling To Him, Know Him, Love Him and Receive All That He Has To Give YOU In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Wed, Feb 12, 2003, Subject:
PSALMS AND PROV.: SEEING LIFE FROM GOD'S VIEW / CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
WORSHIP:
HE IS LORD
He is Lord, He is Lord
I know it in my spirit
He is Lord, He is Lord
I know it in my heart
He is Lord, He is Lord
Alive and a'risin'
He is Lord, He is Lord, He is Lord
He is Lord, He is Lord
He gave His blood and body
He is Lord, He is Lord
He gave Himself for me
He is Lord, He is Lord
I know every minute
He is Lord, He is Lord, He is Lord
THE WORD:
THE earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it. [1 Cor. 10:26.]
- Psalm 24:1
A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. [Prov. 17:9.]
- Proverbs 16:28
The whole Earth is the Lord's and everything that is in it. If He were hungry He would not tell us, for the World and It's Fullness are His. He Knows and is Acquainted with All the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are His and are With Him, In His Mind. He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. You can not bribe God, but a reproof enters deeper into one of understanding than a hundred lashes into a self confident fool. The unbeliever and the ungodly speaks folly and his mind plans iniquity: practicing profane ungodliness and speaking error concerning the Lord, leaving the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and causing the drink of the thirsty to fail.
God created, founded and established this planet we live on. If His Eye Is On the sparrow then how much are His Thoughts On Us? More than All the grains of sand on the Earth's shores! Do you think He doesn't know our each and every move, thought, word and deed? This Psalm of King David asks and answers many questions for those who put their Trust and Faith In The One True Living God.
Who shall go up into the Mountain of the Lord or who shall stand In His Holy Place? Only those with clean hands, pure hearts, who have not lifted themselves up to falsehood, or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully [Matt. 5:8.] shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of Our Salvation. David even speaks to inanimate objects and says, "Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors; that the King of Glory may come in." Who Is [He then], This King Of Glory? The Lord of Hosts. He Is the King of Glory, Jesus! Selah [pause, and think of that]!
Seeing things God's Way, In His Will and according to His Holy Word and getting along in this World we live in isn't alWays easy. This unfortunately isn't alWays a bed of roses even among the Christian Community of Believers, because we All come from different walks of life and backgrounds, but "In Jesus" we find the Unity of His Spirit and Purpose constantly working in and among us to obtain the goal of becoming "One" With Him! It is completely and utterly worthless for us to devise and dig up mischief, because our lips and tongues can start a scorching fire. Sowing strife will reap a harvest of discord and separation between close friends, brothers and sisters In the Lord Jesus.
Grasping, covetousness and violence entices and leads us into the "way" that is not Good. When in the right, do as Jesus would and when found to be in the wrong, do as Jesus would, so that His Will and "Way" prevails and His Name receives the Glory, Praise and Honor due Him! As Believers, as Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus / Yeshua, Our Messiah, The Anointed One let us All strive to obtain the High Calling In Him and uphold the Name, "Christian," so that the World will Know Us By Our Love, His Love, In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Feb 13, 2003, Subject: New Testament Message: You Are Not An Accident
Worship:
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Thru many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
The Word:
Even as [in His love] He chose us - actually picked us out for himself as His own - in Christ before the foundation of the world; that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.
- Ephesians 1:4
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (Holy Spirit given) blessing in the heavenly realm deserves all blessing (praise, laudation and eulogy) from us, for He foreordained (Yes! Every Believer is ordained of God.) us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted [revealed] as his own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will - because it pleased Him and was His kind intent; [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (His grace is amazing isn't it?) - favor and mercy - which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Remind you of the Song of Solomon?).
Believe it or not, "you" are chosen of God to go and fulfill His purposes on this Earth just as Jesus did when He dwelt among us in human flesh. Why did He chose you? Because He loves you, God is Love and everything He does is done in and for the plans and purposes of His Love! You were actually personally picked out by Him, for Him and as His own. God purchased you, bought you by sending His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus to pay the price for you on the Cross at Calvary, so that you could be Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, His Chosen Bride. You "are" the Beloved's and the Beloved "is" Yours! Before God spoke this universe into existence He Knew "you" In Jesus, planned that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in HIs sight.
Are you above reproach? Don't feel bad, because none of us are. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but In Jesus there is no condemnation, only forgiveness, healing, wholeness, fullness, restoration, completeness, blessing, joy, peace and more as we stand before Him In His Love!
The Full and Complete Revelation of Jesus, All that He Is, Says and Does Is "OURS" In God's Holy Word! When you lose your life as we know it in this world, you gain Eternal Life, The Abundant Life in Christ Jesus, come to know and understand who we "are" In HIm and who we "are" meant to "be" In Him through the Living Word of God! His grace (God's unmerited favor) and spiritual peace (peace with God and harmony, unity and undisturbedness) is ours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, so receive it now In Jesus' Precious Name and pass it on! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Thu, Feb 13, 2003, Subject:
Messianic Message: Messiah A Priest After The Order Of Melchizedek
Worship:
Thou Art Worthy
Thou art worthy, thou art worthy
Thou art worth, O Lord of Hosts
Thou art worthy to receive glory
Glory and honor and power.
For thou has created all things,
Has created
Thou has created all things
And for thy pleasure
They are created
Thou art worthy, O Lord.
The Word:
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent.
Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
- Ps. 110:4
Wither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus / Yeshua, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
- Heb. 6:20; 2:17; 5:6; 7:17, 21
G-d has spoken, and will not revoke or change what He has said and done:
Yeshua / Jesus Is designated and recognized and saluted as A High Priest for ever after the manner [with the rank], arises and bears the likeness of Melchizedek. Now we have Hope as steadfast anchor of the soul - it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it - [a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil, [Lev. 16:2.] Where Jesus / Yeshua has entered in for us [in advance]. He became Man, so that He could be merciful, (sympathetic) and faithful in the things related to G-d, to make atonement and propitiation for the people's sin.
Yeshua / Jesus was appointed and exalted of G-d, He reverenced G-d, had godly fear, piety, learned [active, special] obedience, was made perfect [in equipment], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him. [Isa. 45:17.]
We also are called, confirmed and addressed by G-d to be kings and priests In His Kingdom.
As G-d's chosen people we should offer ourselves up willingly to His Holy Spirit Power, in the beauty of holiness and in holy array. Rise and shine for your Light has come and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Spring forth for the Lord is at your right hand and will shatter the enemy in the day of His indignation.
This Melchizedek, king of Salem [and] priest of the Most High G-d, met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; And Abraham gave him a tenth portion of all [the spoil]. He is primarily, as his name when translated indicates, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means king of peace.
Yeshua / Jesus , Whose Father Is In Heaven, The Ancient of Days Is The Son of G-d and continues to be a priest without interruption and without successor. How great [a personage] was Melchizedek to receive the topmost [the pick] of the heap - of the spoils - a tenth from the patriarch Abraham, but Yeshua / Jesus Is The Greatest Of All! As children of Abraham, children of Faith we serve the King of Kings, The High Priest, The Prince of Peace, Servant of the Most High G-d, The Promise and the Hope of Israel!
This Son of David, Son of G-d Is The King Priest Forever! Let us serve Him well In the Name of Yeshua / Jesus! Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Sat, Feb 15, 2003, Subject: Acts 4:32-37
Worship:
Unto Thee O Lord (Ps. 25:1-4)
Unto thee O Lord
Do I lift up my soul
Unto thee O Lord
Do I lift up my soul
O my God, I trust in thee
Let me not be ashamed
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Show me thy way
Thy ways, O Lord
Teach me thy paths
Thy paths, O Lord
O my God, I trust in thee
Let me not be ashamed
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
The Word:
Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all.
And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace - loving kindness and favor and goodwill - rested richly upon them all.
Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales.
And laid it at the feet of the apostles.
Then distribution was made according as any one had need.
Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (special messengers), which interpreted means, Son of Encouragement,
Sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the sum of money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
- Acts 4:32
Let me start off by saying we are all in good company here, Believers In Jesus as Lord and Savior of the World, of one heart and soul (His Heart and Soul, His Plan and Purpose according to His Word, Will and Way), not one of us claiming that anything we possess is [exclusively] ours, but everything we have is given to us by God Our Heavenly Father and for the common use of all to bring Unity to the Body of Christ, Equip the Saints for Service In the Kingdom of God, which is Righteousness, Peace and Joy In the Holy Ghost and to Fulfill His Great Commission, which is to Go Into All the World and Preach the Good News, the Gospel of Christ Jesus and God's Love to Every Creature, All Nations and Peoples!
This is our mandate, our mission, our vision, our goal, but it can only be accomplished In the Strength of His Holy Spirit Being Active In and Through Each and Every One of Our Lives, His Abilities, His Gifts, His Talents, The Testimony of Jesus, His Love, The Resurrection Power of The Lord and His Great Grace, His Unmerited Favor, which is His Loving Kindness and Goodwill resting richly upon us All!
My God shall supply All of your needs according to his Riches In Glory! Have a need?
Ask, believe and receive! God Is Our Provider!
What was it that the rich young ruler lacked?
Jesus said to him and He says to us, "Sell everything you have and give to the poor!"
Peter replied to the Lord, "We have left everything for you!" What have you given up for God that He gave His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus to die on the Cross at Calvary for us and our sin, so that you and I can have Eternal Life in His Name? What can we give back to God?
What can we do for Him? Nothing and He asks for nothing, but our life and love in return.
Lay yourself down at the feet of Jesus, offer your "self" up as a living sacrifice to Him and He will use you in ways to meet the needs of others that you could never have hoped or imagined to accomplish in your life time! He wants each one of us to be Sons and Daughters of Encouragement to our other Brothers and Sisters In Jesus and to those who have not yet come to Know Him as Lord and Savior of their heart and soul. Sell whatever you have to sell, give whatever you have to give, bring whatever you have to bring to The Lord and lay everything at His Feet, so that you too can be an apostle, a special messenger of His Love to All In The Name of Jesus!
Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Tue, Feb 18, 2003, Subject: OT Message: Pierce My Ear / The Door or Door "Post"
Worship:
Pierce My Ear
Pierce my ear,
O Lord My God!
Lead me to Your Door This Day
And I will serve no other god.
Lord, I'm here to stay.
You laid down Your Life for me.
You have given All for me
And I will serve you Eternally.
A free man I'll never be.
The Word:
But if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go free,
Then his master shall bring him to God [the judges]; he shall bring him to the door or doorpost, and shall pierce his ear with an aw; and he shall serve him for life.
- Exodus 21:5, 6
How many here have a pierced ear? I do and I'll leave it up to you whether that's a spiritual or physical piercing. This somewhat goes along with the circumcision question. If we are circumcised in the flesh (I am speaking of The Law and being circumcised on the eighth day here), but not of the heart then what good is it?
None, because it is null and void of any True Spiritual Life or real significance.
How can a woman be circumcised or even a man if he is the Bride of Christ Jesus other than In The Spirit. God deals with us in the natural, physical realm in which we live and not by might, not by power, but By His Spirit that gets into the "heart" of "the matter" (our human flesh) and fills us to overflowing with His Presence, His Life and His Love.
I am certain that many of you (if not all) have skimmed over this portion Scripture without ever realizing the Truth that is so deeply written within It. Our Heavenly Father is laying down The Law to Moses which is just a shadow of the things to come In Christ Jesus, The Messiah and Anointed One. Jesus Is Our Jubilee! [Lev. 25:39-41.] We who have been held captive by sin and death since the fall of mankind in The Garden have been redeemed, bought back, purchased, our debt has been paid in full by the Work of Christ on the Cross at Calvary. Once we were slaves to sin, but now we are Free In Jesus and he who the Son sets Free Is Free Indeed! As Free as we "are" In Him, Paul the Apostle says, we are to be Bond Servants of Christ by our own personal choice, serve Him out of our Love for Him and All He Has Accomplished on our behalf, so that we could Live a Life of Righteousness (right standing with God), Communion and Fellowship with Our Heavenly Father AlWays and Forever Into All Eternity!
Have you come to God? Jesus Is The Door by which we must enter in order to be saved and The Only Way to The Father! He was pierced for our transgressions, shed His Blood for the forgiveness of our sins, died in our stead and rose from the grave to be seated at the right hand of God Our Heavenly Father, so that we could serve Him for Life! Has The Holy Spirit of God drawn you to God, to The Door and pierced your ear? Open my ears Lord, so that I may hear Your Word, Your Voice and help me to listen. Open our eyes, so that we can see Wonderful, Marvelous Things In Your Holy Word, help us to see The Revelation of Jesus and The Vision Of His Glory!
Open our minds to give us Your Wisdom, Your Knowledge, Your Understanding and allow us to use the Mind of Christ (which we "have" as Believers according to His Word) to the Utmost of Your Abilities (and ours) Working In and Through us by Your Holy Spirit!
If you love your life you'll lose it, but if you Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, spirit and strength, plainly say to Him, I Love YOU As My Master, I Am Your Beloved and YOU Are Mine, I Am Your Son, Daughter, Your Child and I want to lose my life In YOU by serving YOU for Life, so that I can gain Eternal Life In Your Son, Jesus' Precious Name!
Amen.
God bless and Love to All (or is that awl?), <')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Wed, Feb 19, 2003, Subject: Psalms and Proverbs
Worship:
Enter In
Enter in, enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
You can sing His praise as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
You can speak His word as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
Be not afraid as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
Sit at His feet as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
You can feel His love as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
The Word:
My heart was hot within me. While I was musing the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
Lord, make me to know my end, and [to appreciate] the measure of my days, what it is; let me know and realize how frail I am - how transient is my stay here.
- Psalm 39:3, 4
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to over-look a transgression or an offense.
- Proverbs 19:11
John Wesley (founder of the Methodist Church) alWays spoke of the burning heart. Jesus says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!" James asks, "Who can tame the tongue?" In Psalm 39, A Psalm of King David written to the Chief Musician; for Jeduthan [founder of an official musical family (kind of like the Osmond's or for those who are old enough to remember, The King Family :)], David says that he would take heed, guard his ways, would sin not with his tongue and muzzle his mouth as with a bridle, while the wicked were before him. The Word of God tells us that our Life truly at its best is merely a breath and we walk around like a shadow in a pantomime. He who has the Son has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life! Do you have the Holy Spirit of God living In you (The Breath Of Life Eternal)?
It is the Spirit of God that burns within and Our God Is A Consuming Fire! He makes His Angels (His Special Messengers) Wings Of Fire! Does His Holy Spirit Fire burn deep within your heart and soul? Like Isaiah The Prophet, allow God to touch your tongue, you lips with the burning coals from His Altar, so that when you speak forth the Things of God they will burn deep into the heart and soul of others. God's Word is written for you, so that you may Know God (Know that you "have" Eternal Life In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name), His Perfect and Acceptable Will, His Way and your end. The Word of God tells us that our years are 70 or 80 at the most and we are just passing through, but as we submit to God's leading He Will use us to the Utmost of His Abilties to reach the World we live in, because as Jesus was (and Is) on this Earth, so "are" we!
Though we are frail, in our weakness He shows His Strength!
Rich, poor, slave or free, you can not teach people commmon sense, but good sense can be learned and God gives us His Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding In His Word. Some will face the King's Wrath and Judgement which is as terrifyng as the roaring lion, but His Favor, His Grace is as refreshing as dew upon the grass. The Lion shall lay down with the Lamb, because The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The Lamb of God Who Takes AWay the sins of the World leads us into greener pastures and anoints our heads with His Holy Spirit Oil! Life is a temporary assignment and God has given us All the Ministry of Reconciliation to restore broken fellowship between God and mankind, so let us bring Glory, Praise and Honor to His Holy Name by overlooking other's transgressions or offenses, forgive and forget, bring healing, times of refreshing and fulfill the great Commission! Use restraint, be angry about the things that are not of God, but sin not! Love God, Love one another as Christ Jesus has Loved you and does Love you each and every day!
Let your Light burn brightly, know who you "are" In Him and the Light of Life will chase aWay the darkness and the reasons for us being here for such a time as this will make good sense to All Nations and Peoples, In Jesus' Name.
Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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and visit:
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Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Feb 20, 2003, Subject: FOR ALL MEMBERS!! PLEASE, READ AND PRAY! NT Message: Satan The Tempter
Worship:
Lift Jesus Higher
Lift Jesus higher
Lift Jesus higher
Lift Him up for the world to see
He said, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all me unto Me."
The Word:
And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon!
Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
- Luke 22:31-32, NKJV
Do you think that you are ready to go with Jesus both to prison and to death?
Take heed lest any man, woman or child think they stand, because pride comes before the fall! Are you able to drink the cup Jesus drank from The Father? For those of us who go the distance (running the race), remain (throughout) and persevere with Jesus in His trials and endure unto the end; And as Our Heavenly Father has appointed a kingdom and conferred it on Him, so does He confer on us [the privilege and decree] That we may eat and drink at His Table In His Kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel! What?
Me Judge? Yes and The Word of God tells us that we are even going to be judging the angels of Heaven! What a privilege and honor it is for us to serve The Living God, but along with it all comes the responsibility to uphold the Truths of God's Holy Word, His Perfect, Acceptable Will and Way!
We are in the middle a Spiritual Battle, a raging war for the hearts, minds and souls of this generation in which we live!
Make no mistake about it; the Spiritual realm is very powerful and the flesh is weak, but the Battle Is The Lord's and The Victory Is Ours In Jesus' Mighty Name!
"Peter, listen!" Jesus exclaimed, "Satan has asked excessively that (all of) you be given up to him - out of the power and keeping of God - that he might sift (all of) you like grain, [Job. 1:6-12; Amos 9:9.] In these last days God is separating the wheat from the chaff. Even Judas who sat with Jesus, ate and drank with Him at The Last Supper, The Lord's Supper, The Passover Feast, The Communion Table turned his back on Him and even betrayed The Son Of God with a kiss. The adversary and accuser goes to and fro on the earth, walks up and down on it considering, roaming as a lion, stalking it's prey, looking for whom he may devour and his primary targets are those who are blameless, upright, those who reverently fear God, abstain from and shun evil [because it is strong]. Again, God has conferred (mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, sexual, complete and total) prosperity and happiness (The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength!) upon us and the works of our hands (We "Are" His Workmanship Created For God Works In Christ Jesus And He Calls Us To Offer Up Ourselves A Living Sacrifice!), and our possessions will increase in the land as we follow His Word, Will and Way! Satan may unleash all the powers of darkness against us, but he can not have our soul! The Eyes of the Lord are upon the sinful kingdom and He will destroy it from the surface of the ground. God says, "I commands, will sift the House of Israel among all nations, cause it to move to and fro, like as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least kernel fall upon the earth and be lost [from My Sight]!" All the sinners will die, but the evil shall not take or meet [and assail] us, because God has raised up a Tabernacle, His Church, The Body of Christ and we "are" Called By His Name!
Jesus has prayed especially for us [Read: John 17.] that our [own] faith (God has dealt to us each a portion of Faith.) may not fail (God Is Faithful and Jesus Never Fails!) and when we turn unto Him (Look unto Jesus, The Author and Finisher of Our Faith!), He Commands Us To Strengthen, Establish One Another and Go To All Nations, All Peoples, Everywhere Preaching, Teaching, Healing and Baptizing In The Name Of The Father, In The Name Of The Son and In The Name Of The Holy Spirit (Representing All that He Is)!
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
- James 4:7, NKJV
So be subject to God. - stand firm against the devil; resist him and as the King James Bible says, "He MUST Flee from you!"
Have you played the fool? We are not serving men or women here, but God Almighty, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He gives us more and more grace [power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully], He gives grace [continually] to the lowly - the humble-minded [enough to receive it].
[Prov. 3:34.] Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty].
Let you laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. Humble yourselves - feeling very insignificant - in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. - He will lift you up and make your lives significant! As we lift Jesus up together and serve Him, He Will Draw All Men, Women and Children Unto Him In His Holy and Precious name! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Feb 21, 2003, Subject:
Messianic Fri: Salvation Of All Nations - The Result Of Christ's Death
Greeting:
Welcome to All and Shabbat Shalom (fullness, wholeness and blessings), The Peace of the Sabbath (Yeshua / Jesus Is Our Peace And Our Rest Is Found In Him)! Let us Worship and Bow Down Before Him Who Alone Is Worthy Of All Glory, Honor And Praise!
Worship:
This Is My Commandment - John 15:12
This is my commandment that you love one another That your joy may be full
This is my commandment that you love one another That your joy may be full.
That your joy may be full
That your joy may be full
This is my commandment that you love one another That your joy may be full.
Opening Prayer:
Father G-d, We ask that you speak to our hearts and lives Today In The Name Of Yeshua / Jesus, The Living Word Of G-d.
Give us Your Vision, fill us with Your Holy Spirit and allow each of us to do our part in Your Work here on Earth until You Come Again! Amen.
The Word:
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
- Ps. 22:27
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
- 2 Cor. 5:15 Luke 2:10-11
Every knee shall bow and Every tongue shall confess that Yeshua / Jesus, The Messiah / The Christ / The Anointed One Is Lord! The poor and afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord who [diligently] seek for, inquire of and for Him and require Him [as their greatest need]. May your heart be quickened now and for ever! For the kingship and the kingdom are the Lord's, and He is the ruler of all the nations. G-d scattered His Chosen People to All the ends of the earth and it is when we turn to Him, commune and fellowship with Him that we "remember" Yeshua / Jesus and the Work He Accomplished for us on The Cross At Calvary, how He shed His Precious Blood (Life [Eternal Life] Is In The Blood), died in our stead and rose again, so that we could live our Life Unto Him! Come! Let us Worship and Bow Down! Let us Kneel Before The Lord, Our G-d, Our Maker! For He Is Our G-d and we are the People Of His Pasture and The Sheep Of His Hand. You're, The Sheep Of His Hand! All Believers Everywhere in the World are "One" In Yeshua / Jesus, we "are" The Family Of G-d, His Children, Brothers and Sisters In The Lord, A Holy Nation and Royal Priesthood!
Does the Love of Messiah / Christ / The Anointed One control, urge and impel you? We should not estimate and regard anyone from a purely human point of view - in terms of natural standards of value, because we are no longer dealing in terms of the flesh, but in spiritual matters. Yeshua / Jesus died for All, so that All who would come to Know Him as Lord and Savior would live The Abundant Life In Messiah / Christ, The Resurrection Life In And By His Holy Spirit, But To Him And For Him Who Was Raised Again For Our Sake!
This Is Good News Of A Great Joy (The Gospel Of G-d) which will come and has come to All The People! Do not be afraid, for behold, look at what the Lord is bringing you In And Through His Holy Word Today! To YOU was born in the town of David a Savior (O little town of Bethlehem [The House Of Bread and Yeshua / Jesus Is The Bread Of Life!]), Who Is Christ, the Messiah, the Lord!
[Mic. 5:2.] Do you recognize Him as such or are you still searching for a sign? The Lord Himself has given the World a sign, Behold, the young woman who was unmarried and a virgin conceived and bore a Son, and called His Name Immanuel - G-d with us. [Matt. 1:22, 23; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 31:22; Mic. 5:3-5.] Yeshua / Jesus [in Hebrew means Savior]. Do not weary and try the patience of G-d! He gave His Life. What more could He give?
O how He Loves you, O how He Loves me, O how He Loves you and me! Yeshua / Jesus died once for All, so let us go to All Nations and Peoples with the Love of G-d and the Good News, so that we can All believe, receive and live our Life Unto Him!
Amen.
Closing Prayer:
May the Lord Bless You, Keep You , Cause His Face to Shine Upon You, Be Gracious Unto You, Lift Up The Light Of His Countenance Upon You and Give You Peace, Shalom, Fullness and Wholeness In The Name Of Yeshua / Jesus, The Light Of The World, King Of Kings And Lord Of All! Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship
and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of G-d / G-d of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved. Date: Jan 17, 2003, Subject: FRIDAY SERVICE: DYING TO "SELF" SERIES, KILLING LAUGHTER
GREETING:
Shalom Family! Let us Light the Sabbath Lights and Worship The One True G-d!
WORSHIP:
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come 'tis grace hath bro't me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun.
PRAYER:
Lord G-d, Show us Your Will In Your Word, Teach us to Love and offer our "self" up to You as a Living Sacrifice. In The Name of Yeshua / Jesus Messiah we pray. Amen.
THE WORD:
[G-d] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.
- Genesis 22:2
From Genesis to Revelation "The Word Of G-d" clearly reveals G-d's Unfolding Drama Of Redemption! Abraham, our "Father Of Faith" was tested and proved by G-d (maybe some of you [if not All of you] are being tested of G-d Today).
Notice how the Scripture says, "your only son?" Ishmael, was already born to Hagar, Sarah's bondwoman and was probably 39 years old at this time, because he was 14 when Isaac was born and according to Josephus, Isaac was 25 and shared his father's confidence In G-d.
After All, wasn't his very existence the result of G-d keeping His Word? (Gen. 17:15-17.) I say this to remind you All that G-d had a son named Adam and countless numbers of children by this time in human history, but Yeshua / Jesus Is The Only-Begotten Son Of The Father! Although The Word Says, "whom you love" it is clear that Abraham loved his first born child Ishmael and G-d also promised to bless him and make him a nation. Commanded to offer up his son, Abraham rose early in the morning and began the trip to the place of which G-d had told him in complete and total obedience To His Creator. This tells me that Our Heavenly Father Who Is No Respecter Of Persons Is Wanting To Tell Each And Every One Of Us His Will And Way.
All we need do is listen to His Word, be ready, willing and able to obey (even unto the point of death if need be, but ultimately G-d wants us to LIVE for Him!).
Let's face it, nobody likes being in the pit, but understand that it is in this "mountain top experience" that G-d requires Abraham to offer up his son as a burnt offering.
We are His Workmanship Created For Good Works In Christ / Messiah / The Anointed One!
He Calls Us To Offer Up Ourselves A Living Sacrifice! What G-d says, we should listen to and obey. Take now?
Then get to it now!
Whatever He asks of us we should do. Jesus / Yeshua commands us to GO, but His Children refuse to obey. When we give or do anything it should be "Unto The Lord!" The Word Of G-d tells us that He Makes His Servants Messengers (Angels) Of Fire! We are to be consumed (the Zeal of the Lord Consumes Me) by Him (Our G-d Is A Consuming Fire), filled with HIm (be ye being filled with the Holy Ghost) and anointed with the Holy Spirit (He has poured out His Spirit upon All flesh). G-d will reveal to us His Glory on the mountain and the Holy Spirit will whisper in your ear to turn to the right or the left. By Faith Abraham and Isaac went up the mountain and told the servants they would return.
Abraham said, My son, G-d will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering. So the two went together.
- Genesis 22:8
This is one of the most profound prophetic utterances referring to The Lamb Of G-d Who Takes AWay The Sins Of The World! G-d In the form of man (Behold The Man Christ / Messiah / The Anointed One Jesus / Yeshua) came to Earth and provided Himself, Who when the fullness of time had come HE (G-d's Only Son) offered Himself as a sin offering (He Who knew no sin became sin for us and died in our stead), a peace offering (My Peace I Give To YOU), was resurrected from the grave as the offering of First Fruits Unto The Father and is now seated at the Right hand Of G-d The Father In Heaven!
Abraham was a Prophet Of G-d (Gen.20:7) and longed to see Messiah's / The Christ's Day!
Jesus / Yeshua said, Abraham hoped for "My day [My incarnation]; and he did see it, and was glad" (John 8:56). When?
How?
Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and lo, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son!
- Genesis 22:13
G-d Is Our Provider! He gave Abraham his son, Isaac back (as if from the dead) and In Jesus we have "Resurrection Life, Eternal Life" (here and now) In His Name, because He offered Himself up as the sacrifice for our sin! In Isaac (who is the most expressive "type of Christ / Messiah), Abraham and Sarah had "laughter" (Isaac means "Laughter"), but In Jesus, we have Joy Unspeakable Forever More!
Brothers and Sisters, Whatever G-d is asking you (commanding you) to offer up or lay down is for your overall good and He Will Completely and Totally Bless YOU, multiply you and your Seed (Heir) shall possess the gate of His enemies.
And In your Seed [Christ / Messiah] shall All the Nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My Voice. [Acts 3:25, 26; Gal. 3:16.]
- Genesis 22: 18
May the Lord bless you, keep you, cause His face to Shine upon you, be gracious unto you, lift up the Light of His Countenance upon you and give you His Peace, Shalom, Fulness In the Name Of Jesus / Yeshua, The Light Of The World! Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Nov 27, 2002, THE FIRST Simple Church CHRISTIAN E-FELLOWSHIP WEDNESDAY MESSAGE
Welcome, Every One! We're going to be sharing in the Psalms and Proverbs every Wednesday and for our first time together I thought we'd go through Psalm 119:1-176 (just kidding). Please, set you mind at ease and enter into God's Presence. Place yourself before God's Throne of Grace as we worship Him together in Spirit and Truth. Not only are you alone with the Lord Jesus, but we are gathered together with some 4,000 of our Brothers and Sisters from around the World. Forget about all of your preconceived notions about "Church" and experience what it's like to have communion and fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Whatever is the best Way for you to congregate or however you like your services to be, enter into His Rest. The beauty of the internet is that for some of you this will be a sunrise service, morning service, evening service or even a midnight mass. God is not bound by time or space and He Is With Us All!
Father, we ask that you would open our eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word, open our ears to hear Your Still Small Voice, open our minds to Understand Your Wisdom and Knowledge and open our hearts to Love In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter His Courts with Praise! I will say, "This is the Day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me Glad!
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You Lord. Glory to God the Son. Praise God the battle's won. He gives us the Victory! Only He can set us Free! O Hallelujah to the Lord!
Jesus is King of All. Don't stop Praising the Lord! Keep Praising the Lord!
I can almost see Your Holiness as I look around this place. With our hands stretched out to receive Your Love I can see You on each face. Spirit of God life us up! Spirit of God lift us up! Fill us again with Your Love Sweet Spirit of God!
Glory to God in the highest. Peace to His people on Earth. Glory to our Lord God the Heavenly King! O Mighty God and Father, we worship you and give You thanks for You alone are Holy, You are the Lord!
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world. Have Mercy on us! Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world.
Grant us Peace!
I hope you enjoyed my choice of songs and have entered into His Spirit of Praise and Worship. The Lord inhabits the Praises of His people and we are His people the sheep of His pasture. I'd like you all to introduce yourselves by e-mailing your Group, giving them your name, where you're from and what your favorite food is. Now go to your Members section, contact the person above and below you and ask them if there is anything that you could pray about for them. Realize the power of Unity In His Spirit and Purpose as thousands of us seek the Lord's Will and Way for each and every one of our lives and believe Him when He says that whatever 2 or more of you touch and agree on you shall have it In Jesus' Name. Please, pray daily for this ministry, every one involved in it and invite others you know to be a part of this "universal" gathering of Believers.
O PRAISE the Lord, all you nations!
Praise Him, all you people! [Rom. 5:11.]
For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever.
Praise the Lord! - Hallelujah!
- Psalm 117
But the path of the uncompromisingly just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more - brighter and clearer - until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect (to-be-prepared) day. [Matt. 5:14; Phil. 2:15; 2 Sam. 23:4.]
- Proverbs 4:18
God Loves each and every one of us regardless of nationality, race, age, sex, height, weight or whatever differences we have between us. As Believers In Jesus Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One we are One In the Spirit and One In the Lord to Our Heavenly Father. He has reconciled us all unto Himself, forgiven us of our sin and unrighteousness and has adopted us to be His Children Forever!
Jesus came to this Earth to die in our stead and to show us the Way to the Father. He Is the Way, Truth and Life!
Jesus Is the Light of the World and He has commissioned each and every one of us to be a Light to the Nations as well.
Let Your Light So Shine before men isn't a suggestion, but a command to Go into All the World and Preach the Gospel to All Nations and Peoples. Jesus has shown us the Way and now we must show others! He Is Coming Again Soon and we must make straight the path Way, so that others may enter In. Every one of us is where we are in this World to bring Glory, Praise and Honor to God and are commissioned by Him to go into the fields and bring Him the Harvest! Just as Jesus grew in the Grace and Knowledge of God from childhood to manhood, so are we in this World to carry on His Mission of reconciliation. That Is Our Ministry! Just as Paul the Apostle exhorted young Timothy to stir up the flame that burned within him, we must keep our fire burning in our hearts. John Wesley knew what it was like to have a burning heart and set out to reach the nations with the Gospel message. Our God Is A Consuming Fire! Allow His Love to consume you and watch what He Can and Will do in and through your Life. Walk every day In His Will and Way and your Light Will Shine Ever Brighter and Clearer until the full Light of day.
It only takes a spark to keep the fire glowing. That's how it is with God's Love once you've experienced it. When you're dealing with thousands of people who claim to be Christians there is always that chance that some are not.
Going to Church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a hamburger.
Praying doesn't make you a Christian, because every religion prays. Having the Gifts of the Spirit or looking like you have them doesn't make you a Christian.
Christ In YOU Is the Hope of Glory! He who Has the Son Has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life.
Do YOU Have Jesus? Is He the Lord and Savior of your Life? Have you received Him Into your heart and Life? If you are not absolutely 100% certain that if you died right now that you would definitely go to Heaven to spend Eternity with Him then all you have to do is repent of your sins and ask Him to come into your Life and make you whole. He Will give you Peace and His Love. He has given us His Word and His Name. It Is Spirit and Life!
Paul wrote, I know Whom I have Believed In (trusted in and relied on) and am persuaded that He Is Able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against That Day!
Now may the Lord Bless and Keep You, Cause His Face to Shine Upon You, Lift Up the Light of His Countenance upon You and Give You Peace!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERY ONE!
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Title. Join The Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship Group Today! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship
Date: Fri, Nov 29, 2002, THE FIRST MESSIANIC SERVICE AT The Simple Church CHRISTIAN E-FELLOWSHIP
Shabbat Shalom! This is a traditional Jewish Greeting that means, Sabbath Peace or the Peace of the Sabbath be with you and this type of "Shalom" can only truly be found In Messiah. Greetings Every One In the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus / Yeshua (His Hebrew Name) Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One (Christ is Greek, Messiah is Hebrew and they both mean the Anointed One). Every Friday evening the Sabbath candles are lit, the blessing is said and G-d's Chosen People around the World Enter Into His Rest.
Father G-d we come to you, ask that you light the inner candle of our lives and fill us with the radiance of Your Glory! May we All come together In Your Spirit of Grace and Mercy to Worship You As One In Spirit and Truth. We ask that Your Word speak to our hearts and lives in the Name of Your Precious Son Jesus / Yeshua. Amen.
Baruch ha ba, b'shem adonai
Hallelujah
Blessed is He Who cometh
In the Name of the Lord.
That cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hear, O Israel, the Lord our G-d is one G-d Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy heart. Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy soul. Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy mind.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy strength.
There is no condemnation for
Those in Messiah
Whose Spirit has freed us from sin and death When the law could not save us
In mercy G-d gave us His Son
As an offering to pay our debt.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The time is coming says the Lord
When I will make a covenant new
With the house of Israel
And with the house of Judah
And I will put my law in them
And I will write it on their hearts
And I will forgive all their sins
And they will be My people
Hallelujah Hallelu
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah Hallelu
Hallelujah
As the mountains are around Jerusalem
The Lord is all around His people.
From this time forth, and forever more,
The Lord is all around His people.
From this time forth, it will always be, The Lord is all around His people.
Please, take the time now to go to your Group Membership list, e-mail the person above and below you, greet them In the Lord and ask them if there is anything that you could pray about on their behalf.
After this the Feast of Dedication [of the reconsecration of the temple] was taking place at Jerusalem.
It was winter, and Jesus / Yeshua was walking in Solomon's porch in the temple area.
- John 10:22, 23
This is a very special service (not only because it is our first official Messianic one, but that tomorrow starts the eight days of Chanukah) and I hope you're enjoying the flavor of it so far. The Word of G-d tells us to taste and see that the Lord Is Good! The Nation of Israel and Jewish people around the World will celebrate the Festival Lights, read from the Book of 1 Maccabees 4:36-61 and 2 Maccabees 10:1-8 (these are Historical books known as the Apocrypha written during the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Covenants) and commemorate Judas Macabees' retaking the temple.
The twenty-fifth day of the ninth month of Kislev, in the year 148 (this corresponds to 164 B.C. [Before Christ / Before Messiah]) was the anniversary of the day the Gentiles had desecrated the altar. For eight days they celebrated the rededication of the altar.
- 1 Macabees 4:52-54, 56
Judas, his brothers, and the entire community of Israel decreed that they should celebrate with joy and gladness the same time each year. Please, take note and understand the importance of "community" to the people of G-d. The story goes that at the time of the rededication there wasn't enough oil in the temple to burn the lamps, but G-d miraculously provided the oil needed to burn the golden lamp stand for eight days and that's why there are special Chanukah Menorahs to celebrate this Feast. Today when Jewish people and many Messianic Believers around the World light the Chanukah candles (there are 9 all together, 4 on each side and the one in the middle that lights each of the eight candles, one every night) they light the main candle (called "The Servant [pay attention, because this get's interesting]) and use that each night to light a different candle on the Menorah.
Jesus / Yeshua came as a Servant (we are all called to be servants) and the Word of G-d says, "In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men." Messiah Himself exclaimed, "I AM The Light of the World!"
Many believe it was during Chanukah when He made this statement and later on told the disciples (we are all called to be disciples), "YOU Are The Light of the World, so Let YOUR Light Shine!" Isaiah prophesied in his Book 49:6, "I will also give you for a light to the nations, that My salvation may extend to the end of the earth." The Anointed One Is The Genuine, Perfcet, Steadfast Light - That Illumines Every Person! Debbie Boone popularized the song, "You Light Up My Life" and that is exacly what Jesus / Yeshua came to do for Every Single Human Being On The Face Of This Planet and we are called of G-d to go to All Nations and Peoples to tell them about Him. The Good News According to John tells us that Light shines on in the darkness. All Believers Everywhere are Called to Shine the Light of the Gospel of Jesus / Yeshua as Messiah to All who live in darkness.
Allow G-d's Servant, Messiah to Light YOU up each and every day of your Life In Him. If you're a Believer In Jesus / Yeshua as Your Lord and Savior then take this very special time of year and rededicate your Life to Him (YOU Are The Temple Of The Holy Spirit!). If you have never accepted Him into your heart and Life then don't live in darkness any longer. Arise and Shine For YOUR Light Has Come and the Glory of the Lord will Arise Upon YOU! Repent of your sin, put out the darkness, absorbe the Light of the World into your heart and Life, receive the Holy Spirit and His Fire will fall upon you. Now, All of YOU, Go Into All the World and Let YOUR Light Shine!
Happy Chanukah!
May the Lord bless you, keep you, cause His Face to Shine upon you, be gracious unto you, lift up the Light of His Countenance upon you and Give You Peace In Messiah, Jesus / Yeshua, the Light of the World!
G-d bless and Love to All, <')))>< Rabbi Mark :-)
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Dec 1, 2002, FIRST SUNDAY DECEMBER SERVICE: The Simple Church CHRISTIAN E-FELLOWSHIP
Let's Worship the Lord!
Rushing wind blow through this temple
Blowing out the dust within
Come and breathe Your breath upon me
I've been born again
Holy Spirit I surrender
Take me where You want to go
Plant me by Your Living Waters
Plant me deep, so I can grow
Jesus, You're the One Who set my Spirit free Use me Lord Glorify, Your Holy Name through me
Thanks be to God Who leads us in His Triumph Thanks be to God Who's got the Victory
We have overcome the World by the Blood of the Lamb And loving not our lives Even unto death, The Word of our testimony tells the World about His Love As we shout unto the Nations:
"He Is Coming Back! He Is Coming Back!"
All to Jesus I surrender All to Him I freely give I will ever Love and Trust Him In His Presence Daily Live.
I surrender All I surrender All
All to Thee My Blessed Savior I surrender All.
Only In God Is My Soul at Rest
In Him Comes My Salvation
He Only Is My Rock
My Strength and My Salvation
My Stronghold, My Savior, I shall not be afraid at all My Stronghold, My Savior, I shall not be moved
Lord how are they increased that trouble me Many are they that rise up against me
Many are they that say of my Soul
There is no help for him In God
But Thou O Lord are a shield for me
My Glory and the Lifter of My Head
But Thou O Lord are a shield for me
My Glory and the Lifter of My Head
Welcome to All of our New Visitors Today!
Please, e-mail us, tell us your name, where you're from and what your favorite food is :-)
Group Members, go to your Group Members list and contact the person above and below you for prayer and fellowship.
Father God, we come to You Today In the Mighty Name of Jesus and ask that you allow us to discover wonderful things In Your Word.
We Pray that you would fill us with Your Holy Spirit and allow us to go, do and be All that You Have Created us for and we ask All of these things In Your Holy Name. Amen.
Today we start the "Book of Acts" or what some call "The Acts of the Apostles", but I call it "The Book of the Acts of God's Holy Spirit In the Lives of Those Who Believed In Jesus and Were Obedient to His Call!" This Is the Book of Revelation for All Believers around the World who would like to enter into God's Will for their Lives, Go Forward In the Power of His Might and Live the Reality of Acts 2 in their every day Lives right into Eternity! In this work of God's Holy Spirit we are told of Jesus being Caught Up Into Heaven and the Holy Spirit Being Poured out Upon All Flesh (men, women, sons, daughters, manservants, maidservants, Jews and Gentiles). We read of the break-up between Paul and Barnabbas and the breaking down of the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile. Liars are buried and Lydia is resurrected from the dead. Today we discover the difference between Jesus breathing on the disciples in the Gospel of John saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit" and Him telling them that they'll receive Power when the Holy Spirit Comes Upon YOU! Discovering these Truths In Your Own Life, Walk and Relationship with Jesus takes time and effort on our parts to submit to His Will and Way, so let us move ahead now into this Book with no "real" ending, but only new beginnings for us All!
[IN] the former [account which I prepared] O Theophilus, I made a continuous report dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and teach,
Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) Whom He had chosen.
- Acts 1:1, 2
Here we have Dr. Luke (a physician of The Great Physician, Jesus) who wrote the Good News According to Luke (I'm sure many of you have seen the "Jesus" film based on his Gospel) giving an account to Theophilus which might as well be O Mark, O June or O Barbara (I'm sure you get my point). When reading the Scriptures read it as if God Himself is writing to YOU because that's exactly what He's doing In Jesus and through his Holy Spirit working In and Through Your Lives. Jesus not only descended to Earth, but He Ascended to be seated at the right hand of Our Father Who Art In Heaven!
He instructed and gave Commandments to His Chosen Ones (that's us too in case you haven't figured out quite where I'm going with this).
Today We Are God's Chosen People to bring His Salvation to the World! Each and Every One of Us is Called of God to be like Jesus where we live, work and have our being. This Is what Being A Christian Is All About!
To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross), by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations - unquestionable evidence and infallible proofs - appearing to them during forty days, and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.
- Acts 1:3
The Word of God tells us that we are more blessed if we Believe In Jesus even though we have not seen Him In the flesh. Why? Because the Spirit of God and His Truths are more "REAL" and Powerful than the flesh of our human bodies or this World we live in. Faith Is the "SUBSTANCE" of things hoped for and the "EVIDENCE" of things "unseen."
When you know, that you know, that you know something like your Salvation In Jesus then it's more real than anything you could describe. Jesus ate, drank, talked and walked with His Disciples then and He continues to do the "Same" with us Today. Why? Because He Is the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever! He Is No Respecter of Persons and He Loves All of His Children Equally!
And while being in their company and eating at the table with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which, He said, you have heard me speak.
- Acts 1:4
The Word of God tells us to wait upon the Lord and He shall renew our strength.
What have YOU heard God speak to YOU through His Word, In Prayer or through a message like this one? All of God's Promises are Yes and Amen In Jesus, so hold on to them and by Faith, like Our Father Abraham and others that have gone before us you shall receive.
For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with - placed in, introduced into - the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 1:5
As I mentioned in my intro, there is a difference in receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized with Him. We'll read later in this Book of a Great Preacher and Teacher of the Word of God who until meeting Paul the Apostle had not yet ever heard of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with God's Holy Spirit is a command for All Believers and not a suggestion. His Gifts and Talents are given to each and every one of us to use In His Body, For His Body and to the Glory, Praise and Honor of His Holy Name! The Holy Spirit Is A Person. He Is One with the Father and Jesus and as our Helper, He Is Called Along Side of Us to lead and guide us into All Truth and Righteousness.
So when they were assembled they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will re-establish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?
He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings - the things and events of time and their definite periods - fixed years and seasons (their critical nick of time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.
- Acts 1:6, 7
What questions have you asked the Lord lately? You have to know He alWays answers us, but not the Way we'd usually like Him to. It's either a yes, no or wait (in this situation it's a little of all three :-)
When the fulness of time had come God sent Jesus into the World, so trust and obey Him, because He knows exactly what He's doing, why and how.
But you shall receive power - ability, efficiency and might - when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends - the very bounds - of the earth.
- Acts 1:8
Not by our own might, efficiency, ability or power, "but By My Spirit", says the Lord! The things that we do in the flesh amount to nothing and will be burned up in the fire, but the Things of God's Spirit Are Eternal! Has the Holy Spirit come "upon" YOU? The Scriptures exhort us All to "put on" the Lord Jesus Christ! Are YOU Clothed In His Righteousness? Our own works and righteousness according to Paul are as filthy rags. Where is your Jerusalem, Judea or Samaria? With All of the Members In All of the Groups we have around the World, YOU are called of God to "be" His Witness (I'm not talking about going door to door handing out tracts [not that there's anything wrong with that], but living your Life In and For Him at home, school, work, with friends, family and yes, most definitely with your enemies) and when you've done all that you can to stand then move on until you reach the very ends of the Earth! This Is Our Vision and Calling!
And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.
And when they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,
Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.
- Acts 1:9-11
This is no "out of sight out of mind" experience here, but it certainly brings new meaning to "what goes up must come down." Did you ever notice how many times the things of God happen suddenly? Has God told you to go and do something? Why then do you stand there?
Jesus Is Coming again SOON and our redemption is much closer now than when we first believed. The Word of God tells us that we too who believe In Jesus shall be caught up together to be with Him in the clouds some day and it will happen in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, but until then we have a job to do.
We don't know the day or the hour, but we do know that God's Word Is True.
When He returns will He find Faith on the Earth? I hope so and I pray that All of us here will be found Faithful In Him. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a Believer they receive God's Power to fulfill God's Work here on Earth. The only time we have in this Life is NOW, so let us go forward In Him!
Father God, You have given us everything we need to live our lives unto you, Your Son, Your Word, Your Name and Your Spirit. Help us as individuals to rise to the occasion and fufill the calling that you have placed "upon" our lives. Make us as a Group, Your Church and the Body of Christ Jesus on this Earth to walk in unity, encouraging one another daily, fulfill Your Great Commission and above All to Love One Another As YOU Have Loved Us! If anyone here does not know You personally as their Lord and Savior or has never received Your Holy Spirit into and "upon" their Lives I pray that they would change their Way of thinking, turn from their life of self and sin, believe and receive Your New Life In Christ Jesus and that we would All Walk In Your Ability, Efficiency and Might In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Now, May the Lord Go Before You In All Things. He has promised Never to Leave or Forsake Us and Surely His Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Us All of the Days of Our Lives.
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: SPECIAL MESSAGE
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER 1:12-26
Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day's journey [three-quarters of a mile] away.
- Acts 1:12
After seeing Jesus taken up to the clouds before their very eyes and the two men in white robes told them to stop standing around gazing into Heaven I think they decided the best thing to do was to be obedient to their Masters final commands.
And when they had entered [the city], they mounted to the upper room where they were indefinitely staying - Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the [son] of James.
- Acts 1:13
Here we are all together in the upper room with the top guns. What in the World could have been going through each one of their minds? Put yourself in their place and just roll these things over in your mind for a while. Could Peter deny what he saw with his own eyes?
How were John, James and Matthew going to print something like this in their books they were planning on writing and expect anyone to take their stories as True? Who was Andrew going to run and tell first? What doubts were going through Thomas' head? Either way you know these guys were totally committed, because they were going to stay there indefinitely until they heard from On High!
All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
- Acts 1:14
I seem to recall a story in the Old Testament of God coming down to Earth and saying that with mankind being of one mind and in one accord there was nothing impossible for them to accomplish. This is why we must renew our minds with the Word of God and stay in daily prayer for one another. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength! Notice that the women and men were together. We Are One In Him, there is no Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Rich or Poor, Black or White, Male or Female In Jesus! This is the last mention of Mary the mother of Jesus throughout the New Testament and notice how His own brothers have come around from their unbelief.
Now one of those days Peter arose among the brethren, the whole number of whom gathered together was about a hundred and twenty.
- Acts 1:15
Peter is stepping up to the plate here!
There's no mention of how many days have passed, but things were definitely stirring in the Spirit. Do you know that the average Church in the World has only 100 regularly attending members? Most "Christians" only attend one Church for just two years before moving on to find another one. We are blessed here as a ministry to have thousands of members around the World and God adds to His Church daily bringing an average of 100 or more new people in every week. This is due to your faithful prayers, people inviting, Biblical Teaching, communion and fellowship among All the Believers here expressed with God's Love working In and Through Us and Most of All God's Grace and Mercy! No man can come to the Father, but through the Precious Blood of Jesus!
Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.
- Acts 1:16
Whenever you see the word, "Brethren," that includes all in attendance (meaning, "Sisteren" and "Children" as well).
Although Jesus fulfilled All Scripture within and regarding Himself while here on Earth the Word of God is constantly fulfilling itself in each of our lives (In His Time), in World events Today and most definitely into the future. This is why knowing and studying Bible Prophecy is important for All Believers, so that we will be found ready when Jesus comes again! Still Today Men and Women of God around the World are speaking forth the Word of God with Power and Anointing. King David was certainly no exception. Judas, like All of us had choices to make each and every day of his life, but obviously didn't choose wisely.
For he was counted among us and received [by divine allotment] his portion of this ministry.
- Acts 1:17
Throughout my 20 + years in Ministry I've worked with many Men and Women of God and unfortunately I have also seen those who were quite active in serving the Lord fall away from Him. My heart has been broken and my spirit crushed by Judas' of my own, but God has promised to use All things for His Good and Glory! We are All Called of God to be His Children and serve Him as Jesus did while here on Earth in human flesh. God has dealt to us All a measure of Faith, He Is Our Portion and All Believers Everywhere throughout the World are counted as His Sheep in His Pasture.
Daily we Must Choose between what's right and wrong for us In Jesus.
Now this [man] obtained a piece of land with the [money paid him as a] reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle [of his body] and all his intestines poured forth.
- Acts 1:18
Remember that Peter denied Jesus three times and All of His Disciples fled when He was taken to be crucified, but they repented of their sin and asked forgiveness of Him, but Judas went out and hung himself. Quite an ugly picture painted here and a big contrast to having streams of Living Water flowing from our bellies when the Holy Spirit is poured out on us and moves upon our inner most being.
And all the residents of Jerusalem became acquainted with the facts, so that they called the piece of land in their own dialect, Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
- Acts 1:19
Word travels fast (especially a bad word).
Not only Today can we reach millions of people around the World with a touch of our fingers on our keyboards or by using our cell phones, but even in Biblical times (keep in mind that we are still living In Biblical Times) the spoken Word gets around. What we whisper in ones ear will be shouted from the house tops!
When Jesus died on the Cross at Calvary His Blood and Water flowed through the land and brought Healing to All Nations and Peoples (should they choose to accept Him as their Lord and Savior), but this Field of Blood was a place of death without Him.
For in the book of Psalms it is written, Let his place of residence become deserted and gloomy, and let there be no one to live in it; and [again], Let another take his position or overseership. [Ps. 69:25; 109:8.]
- Acts 1:20
Here we see the Holy Spirit at His best in bringing everything to remembrance and Peter speaking forth the Word of God.
We'll read later in the Book of Acts how it was obvious to those who saw and heard the Apostles speak that they had been with Jesus. Have you been with Jesus?
He Himself said that the Psalms testified of Him. Are you spending time with Him daily In His Word, prayer, Praise, Thanksgiving, communion and fellowship? It's most important that we forsake not the assembling of the brethren and communicate with one another in the Love of the Holy Spirit.
God has a place and position for you In His Body Today, so do your part, because we need the whole Body to function In His Will and Way!
So one of the [other] men who have accompanied us [apostles] during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us, one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.
- Acts 1:21, 22
When God shuts a door He opens another one. Notice Peter says, one of these men MUST JOIN with us. We need Believers around the World to join with us in our efforts to fulfill the Great Commision!
Just as the Scripture says that Jesus MUST NEEDS go to Samaria to speak with the woman at the well, God needs All of His People Everywhere to come together In the Unity of His Holy Spirit and be witness to God's Resurrection Power! The word witness can also be translated martyr or crown. Look unto Jesus like Steven did, meditate on that one for a while and maybe people will see your face as the face of an angel too.
And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
- Acts 1:23
The best laid plans of mice and men :-)
I've been in the mix, so can relate to this situation here as I'm sure many of you have seen Church nominating committees at work. I really enjoy Joseph - called Barsabbas
- who was surnamed Justus. It's kind of like, you can call me RJ, you can call me Ray...
And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts [their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes and endeavors], indicate to us which one of these two you have chosen To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle from which Judas fell away and went astray to go (where he belonged,) to his own (proper) place.
- Acts 1:24, 25
You might want to chew on how God knows our hearts a while. How're your thought paterns? Where does your passion lie? What are your desires? What wets your appetite? Are you fulfilling the purpose In Life that God Created You for? What endeavors are you planning to take on? As Chosen Men and Women of God You Must Seek God's Will and Place for You In this World.
It somewhat saddens me to see that there's no Love lost over Judas expressed here. May God have Mercy on us All! Even when a Brother or Sister In the Lord Jesus stumbles and falls we are supposed to be the ones there for them and bring them back in to a healing and restoration In the Body of Christ.
And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).
- Acts 1:26
I don't know if this was really such a good idea as I don't see much of a difference here from the Roman soldiers casting lots for Jesus' belongings at the foot of His Cross. A close friend of mine who attended seminary and I got into quite a discussion on this a while back (yes, we're still close friends and I did say, discussion not argument [although we did tend to see this verse differently and agreed to disagree]). I would have to say that this first Church had many growing pains to go through.
To the best of my understanding I would say that God had a better idea and later chose Saul of Tarsus to become Paul the Apostle! Another example of Father Knows Best! Remember Jesus said, I will build My Church, so friends, I suggest that it's better for All to let Him do just that!
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Dec 3, 2002, TUESDAY SERVICE:
OLD TESTAMENT
For All who hunger and thirst for His Righteousness, Let's Worship Him Who sits on the Throne!
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone, may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship Thee
I honestly can't imagine attending a Church service where the Priest, Pastor, Minister or whoever is conducting the service suggests that everybody greet one another or give the sign of Peace that you would just sit there and not acknowledge the person in front, behind or to either side of you. I know I have contacted people above and below me in my Group Members section as well as I have received e-mails and IM's from others introducing themselves to me personally and asking if there was anything that they could pray about for me. This is communion and fellowship at it's best, so please, don't be shy and reach out to your Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus Today. Pray for one another and Love one another In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name!
Father, Today we look to you to speak to our hearts and Lives In Jesus. Bring healing to those that are your suffering servants, Salvation to the lost and dying and encouragement and Power to your Holy People, the Church of the Living God and we ask this in Jesus' Name.
Amen.
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
- Job 12:10
In the beginning God created and the Word was with God and the Word was God!
Everything in this World starts and ends with God. All things are In Him, through Him and to Him In Christ Jesus our Lord and He holds All things together. Jesus Is the Light of Life unto All mankind and He knit us All together in our mother's womb. We Are His Workmanship Created In Christ Jesus to go and do Good Works In His Name that He has Prepared for Us before the foundations of this World were laid. We are All commanded to bring the Good News of Jesus and the Love of God to All Nations and Peoples!
Did you know that science has determined that All of mankind came from 1 woman? I thought it quite funny when Discover magazine had that as their cover story several years ago when the Word of God has been telling that to the World for thousands of years. Adam was formed from the dust of the ground (have any of you dusted your home lately?) and when the Lord God breathed the Breath of Life into his nostrils he became a living soul. Unfortunately we all know the rest of the story and now we All need to be brought back into a right relationship with God which can only come through Faith In Jesus, allowing Him to breathe His Holy Spirit Breath of Life into our beings and making us born-again Children of God! Did you know that the Holy Spirit can also be translated Breath of God? Breathe deep my Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus and be filled with His Holy Spirit.
Praise Him for every heartbeat, every breath, every taste, every touch, every sound you hear, every sight you see, every thought, every financial blessing, every Loving emotion, every sweet aroma and for All things, because the Scriptures tell us that All Good things come down from God out of Heaven!
He's got the Whole World in HIs Hands!
Perhaps you're in a Job situation where trials and temptations are overwhelming you, but hold fast to His promises, because He Is Faithful and True! Maybe you've turned away from Him, have gone the other way and are in the middle of a terrible storm like Jonah?
Remember there were plenty of others in that boat as well who didn't deserve that uprising of the sea, but the sun (or SON) still shines on the just and the unjust.
There are people in this World with aids through no fault of their own (whether it be through blood transfusions or childbirth). Some people die of second hand smoke, polluted water, murder, there are rapes, beatings and the list could go on and on, because we live in a fallen World, but Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of sin and death! The cattle on a thousand hills are All His!
Everything that has Life on this Earth gets it from God, Our Heavenly Father and that's why the Word of God says, Let Everything that has breath Praise the Lord! He inhabits the Praises of His People. Did you know that Judah means Praise? Jesus Is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!
We as God's Chosen People should be Children of Praise, Worship and Adoration!
Jesus gave His Life for each and every one of us on this planet, so why don't we give Him our All? Why not? He deserves it, All of it! And we who are Believers need to tell our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, enemies and the whole World that God Is Love and has provided a Way for them to spend eternity with Him in Heaven! Everything of ours is In His Hands, so let's trust and obey Him till our last breath.
Lord, we ask that you allow us to live our lives to the full In You and walk In Your Will and Way. Make us the Light to the Nations! Fill us with Your Love for each other and those who don't know you.
Show us the Way and give us Your Word to speak to the hearts and lives of others, so that they may enter into eternal Life In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Dec 4, 2002, WEDNESDAY SERVICE: PSALMS & PROVERBS
Welcome to All of our New Members!
Let's Praise the Lord!
Lord I'm gonna praise You (Praise You Lord) Lord I'm gonna praise You (Praise You Lord) Yes, I'm gonna praise You Lord
With all that's in my heart,
With all that's in my soul,
With all that's in my mind
OK! Why don't we All Greet one another In the Lord Jesus by either IMing, e-mailing or calling someone in your Group Today!
Father God, Thank You for your Word, letting us know that our lives are not an accident and that You are what drives our Life In Jesus. Bless Your Word now as it goes forth around the World In the Wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure for ever; forsake not the works of Your own hands. [Ps. 57:2; Phil. 1:6.]
- Psalm 138:8
One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing [to keep permanently]; another man considers himself poor, yet has great [and indestructible] riches. [Prov. 12:9; Luke 12:20, 21.]
- Proverbs 13:7
First off let me say that I hope all of you will take the time to look over the additional Scripture verses provided. I realize we all are limited in time, but one of the beauties of being on the internet is that you don't have to take everything in at once, you can save these messages to read them over at your convenience and meditate on Our Fathers Word to us, so we All can discover His Will and Way for our Lives In Jesus.
Jesus promised Never Ever to leave or forsake us and there is one thing that God can Not do, LIE! God Created each and every one of us In His Image and He has every intention of completing the work that He has begun In You.
It may seem hard to beieve right now, but whatever you're going through in your life God is going to work everything out for your Good.
Your major (and minor) concerns are His.
Jesus said, "Let Not Your Hearts be troubled!"
Delight yourself In the Lord and He Will GIve You the Desires of Your Heart. All we have in this life is now and unfortunately we mess up quite a bit, but God Is Eternal and His Loving-Kindness and Tender Mercies endure Forever! Our Heavenly Father sees us Perfect In His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus.
How do you consider yourself? Rich?
Poor?
Everything on this Earth is bound by time and some day will come to nothing. Keith Green sang, "Nothing lasts except the Grace of God by which I stand In Jesus."
God Is Love!
"Love Never gives up, Never loses Faith, is AlWays Hopeful and Endures."
- 1 Corinthians 13:7, NLT
If you're In God then the above Scripture verse should descrbe You. Bob Dylan sang, "When You gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?" Paul counted everything in this World a loss to him, but he achieved great gain In Jesus!
Jesus said, "If You lose Your life for My Sake then You Will Gain Eternal Life In My Name!" When Your life is hid In Christ it Is Permenant and Indestructible! Store up your treasures In Heaven, because Only what is done In and For Jesus will last Forever. You know the first Beattitude says, "Happy, to be envied and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions] - are (the humble, rating themselves insignificant), for theirs Is the Kingdom of Heaven!" My Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus, You Can't get Richer than THAT!
Lord, We thank You that You hold our lives in Your Hands. Forgive us for the times when we don't trust and obey You fully. If there is anyone reading this that has never accepted You Into their hearts and lives, please, touch and change them with the Love of Jesus. Go before us In All Things and Use Us to Fulfill Your Purposes In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Dec 4, 2002, Evening Service and Day #2 of Knowing God's Purposes for your life
Hello everyone Welcome to the FIRST EVER Evening Service for The Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship. I have an announcement to make that I have changed the name of the group to The Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship, which will now be our main church group. You can join at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship Please pass it onto your friends so that we can grow together in the Lord.
Today we are going to look at what it means to Worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth. This is Day #2 of Knowing God's Purposes for your life a series dedicated to helping you Discover what a living relationship with Jesus, to Grow in Christ, to build up the body of Christ, and to know your life's Purpose so that you can Glorify Christ with your life.
Before we enter into worship tonight please make sure you are greeting others within your group and most importantly those who are within your family, and friends with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are still looking for more people to serve so if you are interested please don't' hesitate to contact me at [email protected]
Invocation
Heavenly Father thank You that as we enter into Your Presence You set us free from bondages that we entangle ourselves in and help us, and empower us to live the life through the Holy Spirit the life of dying to ourselves so that You may reign supreme. Father touch each person tonight as we worship You give us a deeper awareness of Your Love.
Open our eyes so that we would see; give us pure hearts and renew a steadfast spirit with us so that we would walk in the newness of life instead of in the old nature. Thank You Jesus for dying for our sins. May Your Name be glorified through everything we do now in Jesus Name Amen.
Worship
John 4:23, "The true worshipper shall worship the Father in spirit and truth."
O worship the King all glorious above
Gratefully His wonderful love
Our shielder and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of His might and sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail, Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.
Taken from Hymns for the Family of God
Father as we open Your Word, open our eyes to see what areas we need to work on and how You want us to live our lives for You, In Jesus Name Amen.
John 4:23-24, "But the time is coming and is already here when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit , so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
This story is all about how Jesus the Son of God came to meet this lady in a situation that should not have happened, but our God doesn't look at the outward appearance but to the heart of who a person is. This lady was shocked at Jesus talking to her in fact John 4:9 says, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink? Jesus response to this was, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." What did Jesus mean by living water? In the Old Testament, many verses speak of thirsting after God as one thirsts after water (Psalm 42:1; Isaiah 55:1; Jeremiah 2:13; Zechariah 13:1) God is called the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9) and the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 17:13).
In saying he would bring living water that could forever quench a person's thirst for God, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. Only the Messiah could give this gift that satisfied the soul's desire.
Today more than ever God is looking for people who will worship Him in Spirit and truth. Why is this you may ask? God is looking for worshippers a people who will worship Him because He knows that the soul can only be satisfied its hunger satisfied when it is in communion with the one who created it.
In order to Discover who Jesus is you must lay aside all your preconceived notions about Him and put them on a Cross and nail them there. The major difference between Christianity and other religions is that Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Life, He lived, He breathed, and yes He even died for you, for the world's sins He took them all up upon that Cross on that day; bearing them so that we could bear with each other in humility, love and unity with the result of the lost being brought into God's Kingdom and the Unity of the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit being achieved. No other god will save; no other philosophy will satisfy the innermost need that every person has. God has put an inborn need inside of you to know Him and to reject that in favor of anything else is plain out wrong, not even wrong but flat out intellectual and most importantly spiritual suicide. One thing that bugs me today is that people believe that Christians are spiritually immature because they go around and tell about there religion. How blind for the Cross-stands as the marker for our calendars A.D After the death of Jesus Christ. That mark stands as a testimony not only to the fact that Jesus was who He says He was but that He is still alive at work in those who believe in His Name. In order to Discover what a living relationship with Jesus is you must believe in His name to worship Him with your life. God is looking for people who will live out the Way of Life He has called us to in Christ Jesus not with just mere lip service, but with a heart devoted to worship in shouting in praising in every circumstance that He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Our King lives on inside of those who believe in Him who have died to self so that Christ would reign in their lives. Worship is a lifestyle.
In age and feebleness extreme,
Who shall a helpless worm redeem?
Jesus, my only hope Thou art,
Strength of my failing flesh and heart.
O, could I catch one smile from Thee,
And drop into eternity. (Taking from Charles Wesley, quoted in Sheppard W.J. Limmer Great Hymns and Their Stories.)
Matt Redman in his book "The unquenchable worshipper talking about John Wesley, "Here was a man who had spent his life on Jesus. Its evident even from this one hymn that he knew the friendship of the Lord. For Wesley, to live was Christ. And yet because he knew where he was going- or more specifically, to whom he was going-to die would be gain. "O, could I catch one smile from Thee, and drop into eternity""-the last words of an unsatisfied worshipper; the first of an unending worshipper."
Going back to the woman at the well in John 4:24-26, "The woman said, "I know the Messiah will come-the one who is called the Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus told her, "I am the Messiah." Jesus here asserts who He is in order to show this lady that He is indeed the Son of God by telling her that He was indeed the Son of God.
John 4:27-38, "Just after Jesus said this His disciples show up astonished to find him talking to this woman but none of them asked him why he was doing it or what they had been discussing. The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
Meanwhile the disciples were about to eat "No" he said, "I have food you don't know about." "Who brought it to him?" the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. Do you think that the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, "One person plants and someone else harvests.' And it's true. I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest."
God has called us to be Worshipers of Himself for in Worship His name is evoked causing Him to respond in the manner that He does by telling us the Way for He has already shown us the Way to live in Christ throughout His word from Genesis to Revelation it shows God's plan, and God's Will for mankind.
Our spiritual nourishment comes as we worship Him not just at church but here on the internet by serving Him and our fellow brothers and sisters in fact we are told to serve the church throughout the New Testament to serve each other, and to bear each others burdens so lets do it.
Lets worship the Lord with hearts full of Praise and gladness not out of obligation but out of love serving each other so that souls would be won for the Kingdom and the Unity of the Spirit would be established around the world. The wages Jesus offerss are the joy of working for him and seeing the harvest of believers.
Theses wages come to planter and harvester alike because both find joy in seeing new believers come into christs Kingdom. The phrase "others had done there work" may refer to the Old Testament prophets and to John the Baptist wh paved the way for the Good News. Truly the message we as Christians who are born again by the Holy Spirit baptized into the family of Jesus Christ is Good News not of rules but of Good News. We have a job to share the Good News around the World.
May we be found faithful unto Jesus for living out a life full of Discovery and Worship with our lives. Worship the Lord with gladness Amen.
If you don't have a relationship with Jesus and would like to have one all you have to do is Believe and Accept what He did on the Cross. Tommorow and Friday we will focus on Discovering what it means to have an intimate relationship with Jesus.
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Date: Dec 5, 2002, THURSDAY SERVICE: NEW TESTAMENT
Let's Advance the Kingdom of God Together!
We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here Among you Among you Among you Among you
Among you Among you Among you Among you
The blind see, the deaf hear,
The lame men are walking, sickness must flee at His voice The dead live again and the poor hear the good news Messiah is King so rejoice!
Go ahead! You should know the routine by now. E-mail, IM, phone, write or even go visit someone in your Group to ask them how they're doing and if there's anything you could pray about for them.
Lord, we thank You that you have Called Us to Be Your Children, we ask that You would Lead and Guide Us In Your Word and allow Us to Go, Do and Be All that You have Created Us for in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Do not be conformed to this world - this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs. But be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind - by it's new ideals and it's new attitude - so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
- Romans 12:2
As we travel along on this "Spiritual Journey" of ours I'm hope that you All realize by now that God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us.
Whenever any one asks me how to find out what God's Will Is for their Life I automatically point them to the Word of God and especially to the Book of Ephesians, because as much as the Gospel of John was written, so that we might Believe on the Son of God, Jesus as Our Lord and Savior, Ephesians tells Us Who We Are In Him and the Book of Acts lets us know how the Holy Spirit of God Living In and Through Us wants to make us All Witnesses unto the Nations!
In this message we are going to take just one small step along the Roman Road, but one Giant Leap for mankind. Jesus not only died on the Cross at Calvary for our sins and to bring us All back into a right relationship with Our Father Who Art In Heaven, but we are here to Live His Life for Him and It Is An Abundant Life In Jesus' Name! Do you remember the "Transformer" toys for kids that were popular several years ago? God wants to take us from this mundane, superficial life and change us into super-human "Spiritual" powerhouses to show that Jesus Is Risen from the dead! I've said this before, but it needs repeating, "The Spirit World is far more real than the natural. This World is fading away, but the things of God are Eternal and His Word will Never Pass AWay!"
We need to start seeing things as God sees them, so put on your "Spiritual" reading glasses and get into the Word of God daily, because our ideals and attitudes need to come in line with God's Will and Way! Like Paul the Apostle we must beat our bodies daily into submission to bring every thought and action into God's perspective. Do you realize that Jesus did EVERYTHING that the Father asked Him to do when He walked this Earth? As Jesus Is On This Earth, so Are We! This is definitely Not a cake walk, but the Christian Walk and Way Is Obedience to God, His Word and Way under the Leadership and Guidance of His Holy Spirit Working In and Through every fiber of our being. The Holy Spirit's job is to bring Us to Jesus Who has promised to "make" Us Perfect and Complete In the Father's eyes. The Word of God Is Spirit and Life, so without it what do we really have? Nothing! How do you see yourself? God sees you Holy, Blameless and Pure In His Sight!
I certainly don't consider myself a perfectionist, but like Joan Rivers asks, "Can we talk?" Let God be True and Every Man (Woman and Child) a liar! In Jesus You Are Perfect! Forget about your own personal feelings and emotions, because God Is Greater than all of your fears. Are you hiding behind the luggage, fleeing like Jonah? Come to the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit and allow Him to "Make" You who you were really Created In Christ Jesus to Be (forgive me, but this reminds me of what little William Shakespeare I know, "To Be or Not to Be! That Is the Question.)! Are You Willing to Be All that God has Created You for? Do You "Really" want to "Know" what His Perfect and Acceptable Will Is for Your Life In Christ Jesus? Then read our opening Scripture, get Into the Word of God and most importantly, Allow the Word of God to Get Into YOU!
If you have never accepted Jesus Into Your Heart and Life as Your Personal Lord and Savior then All You Need do is to repent of Your sin, ask Him to Forgive You, to have Him Come Into Your Life In the Person of the Holy Spirit and then Grow In the Grace and Knowledge of Him by spending daily time In His Word, prayer and the communion and fellowship of other Believers.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: messianic service
Greetings everyone in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and welcome to the Friday's Messianic Service for ServantsofGrace Christian Fellowship for Friday 6th,2002.
Day #3 of Knowing God's Purpose of your life: Intimacy through trials.
Invocation:
Heavenly Father as we enter into Your Presence tonight may You be glorified in our lives by the way we draw near to You in the midst of our weakness Father.
Strengthen us as we walk with You so that we would be full of You and not full of ourselves. Be glorified through everything that is said in Your Name Amen.
Worship
He is the Savior of My soul
Isaiah 61:10, "My soul shall be joyful in my God."
He is the Savior of my soul, My Jesus,
My Jesus He's the Savior of my soul,
He's the Savior of my soul. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. He's the Savior of my soul, He's the Savior of my soul.
Christ is Crucified Anew
Not only once, and long ago,
There on Golgotha's side,
Has Christ, the Lord, been crucified
Because He loved a lost worlds so,
But hourly souls, sin-satisfied,
Mock His great love, flout His commands.
And I drive nails deep in His hands.
You thrust the spear within His Side.
Written by John Richard Moreland
All hymns taken from Hymns for the family of God
Day 3 Intimacy through Trials
Genesis 22: 9-11,"When they arrived at the place where God had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood. 10And Abraham took the knife and lifted it up to kill his son as a sacrifice to the LORD. 11At that moment the angel of the LORD shouted to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes," he answered. "I'm listening."
Has there ever been a time in your life where you have felt like everything was about to cave in like everything you did was wrong? I cannot imagine having to give up my only son which I don't have any kids so I am talking hypothetically here but if I did I could not imagine sacrificing them or even attempting to sacrifice them. Get a picture of this here the agony which the Bible does not talk about but think of a time when you have agonized over something that really meant a lot to you. Abraham's faith was being tested here obviously but there is a much deeper spiritual meaning which Abraham would not have known. Abraham sacrifice pareled Christ's sacrifice on the Cross for our own sins.
Hebrews 11:17-19, "It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18though God had promised him, "Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted."[3] 19Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead."
Abraham had full faith in his God because He knew that He would knew leave nor forsake Him that His Word was true and even if his son Isaac were to die his faith would be tested and God's promise would be revealed to him. The closer we get to the Lord as we worship Him with our lives we must sacrifice and submit even more of our lives to Him. While the outcome of this story is known that the Angel of the Lord saves Abraham from killing his son his faith and even more so Abraham's relationship with the Lord was shown by how close Abraham was. How we respond in the times of greatest trials shows how great our character really is. It shows whether it is weak, it shows where we need to improve. Each of us has areas where we can improve but as we trust in the Messiah the Anointed One of God we come to a full realization that like Abraham that we can trust God even in the worst situations we can present ourselves not as a people without a hope, but as a people who have a hope in Jesus. The Father seeks worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth who will abandon there agenda for His Agenda of the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. Will you join in on His Plan and His Purpose for mankind? He has a plan for you for me to build together to discover truly what a living relationship with Jesus is. He is the Way no other Way can be found except through the Son of God who took your place as the Lamb did in the story of Abraham for Isaac. True faith is built not within the confines of reading books about God, but in the reality of following Christ in the hard times when things aren't going well our faith and most importantly our character shines through.
Are you going through a trial today? Our God wants to strengthen you He has a plan to accomplish His Will through you even in the midst of this trial you are going through. He wants you to draw near to Him in humility to strengthen you through your weakness so that you would be strong not falling away from the truth but living in the full reality of Discovery of who God is. As we Discover more who God is the more it ought to drive us to worship Him in intimacy in recognition of our needs but even more so in the full reality of our own desperate state that we can do nothing apart from Him who is our strong tower.
Evelyn Underhill said, "Thus worship purifies, enlightens, and at last transforms, every life submitted to its influence; and this not merely in the ethical or devotional sense. It does all this, because it wakes up and liberates that seed of supernatural life, in virtue of which we are spiritual beings, capable of responding to that God who is Spirit; and which indeed gives to humanity a certain mysterious kinship with Him. Worship is therefore in the deepest sense creative and redemptive. Keeping us in constant remembrance of the unchanging and the Holy, it cleanses us of subjectivism, releases us from 'use and wont' and makes us realists. God's invitation to it and man's response, however limited, crude or mistaken this response may be, are the appointed means whereby we move towards our true destiny." Worship changes us it moves our affections to want to be new to want to be different, so that we can make a difference with our time here on earth, and so that we may be in the place where our hearts long to be in heaven. Our faith is tried and tested in intimacy through the trials we go through so that we can be presented to God as holy and approved not lacking anything but fully recognizing the richness of Jesus who is at work in the midst of our lives. Intimacy with the Lord comes as we worship Him through the midst our trials. This strengthens the reality of our faith so that we will be more like Him and less like ourselves.
Closing Song
Thank You Jesus
For Your blood
Thank You Father for what You have done
To make me more like You I pray
Through the trials and through the pain
I pray that I would be all that You want me to be. Amen
If you don't know Jesus all you have to do is accept and believe what He did on the Cross is true. If you accepted Him today I would love to hear about it.
Please email me at [email protected]
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Subject: TUESDAY SERVICE: OT
WORSHIP:
The Lord Is My Shepherd I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters
He restoreth my soul
And guides my path in righteousness for His Name's sake
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death, I will not fear
Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff
They comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Surely goodness and loving kindness
Will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever and ever and ever.
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death, I will not fear
Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff
They comfort me.
Thou anointest my head with oil
My cup's overflowing.
The Lord Is My Shepherd I shall not want
THE WORD:
For I know the thought and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me; when you search for Me with all your heart,
I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you again to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive.
- Jeremiah 29:11-14
Do you know the thoughts and plans that God has for you? His "Way" is not AlWays our "way" and certainly His thoughts are far beyond all of our wildest imaginings, but God has a plan and purpose for everything that happens in your Life and it's perfect for you. Oh, you might not think it now, feel it or even "believe" that His Word Is True in regards to certain circumstances and situations, but as you grow In His Grace and Mercy you'll find a glimmer of "Hope" in your final outcome. His "Peace" (Jesus Is Our Peace) Is the Master's "Plan" for our Life and He surpasses All of our understanding.
Have you dropped a dime to the Lord lately? Oh, sure you e-mailed your friends (there is a "Friend" Who sticks closer than a Brother or Sister), IMed them to death, called someone on the phone to chat (don't even get me started on Christian or any other kind of "chat" rooms on the WWW), but have you called upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ Today? Have you spent time in prayer?
Paul exhorts us as Believers to Pray continually (or continuously), but surveys say that the "average" Christian (should we as "Believers" ever be average?) only prays 3 minutes a day. Nobody is suggestion that you lock yourself in some monastery somewhere, take a vow of silence, hit the floor and pray 24/7, but we should be practicing His Presence In and Through Our Lives With Every Breath We Take. Have you heard the song, "Make My Life A Prayer To You?" God hears and heeds us, He Knows our "every" thought word and deed before they even come to pass, but His Desire Is that we would Call upon His Name, "Come Unto Me," He says, "Ask and Receive!" We have had marvelous answers to prayers in this ministry throughout the World, so why is it that we don't continue to go before God's Throne of Grace on behalf of All the Saints and the lost souls?
My God Shall supply All of your Needs!
Have you sought Him as a "vital" necessity in your Life? Not for things, but for Him? Our Heavenly Father, Jesus the Shepherd of our souls and the Spirit of God that leads and guides us into All Truth and Understanding? Jesus said, "Seek and Ye Shall find!" (KJV) Oh sure!
Maybe you have found Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your Life, but are you growing In Him Daily?
Are you "more" of a man, woman or child of God than when you first believed? Has the seed that was planted In YOU been watered, planted in good soil? Are you rooted and grounded In His Word? Rise up to the sky!
Reach out to the SON! Abide In Him and bear much fruit (lasting fruit) for His Kingdom! We are commanded to Love the Lord our God will All of our mind, heart, soul, spirit, strength, to Love our neighbor as ourselves and to Love one another as Jesus Loves us! Yes, that Is a tall order, but it is through the Love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts that we can accomplish this task and when we do the World will know that we Are Christians. Love from your heart, love brothers, love sisters, love enemies and love strangers.
Some of you might remember the "I Found It" campaign that was big several years ago, but many responded, "I never lost it." There are people living in this World that don't know they're dead, those who are blind that think they see and some that are in bondage yet say, "I'm Free!" What has been driving you in your Life's decisions? Whose "plan" are you following? Man makes his plans, but God alters his steps. When Jesus rose from the grave He led captivity captive! What does that mean? By becoming a bond-slave to Him we are released from sin and death Forever! He said, "My Word shall set you Free," but, "He who the Son sets Free Is Free Indeed!" When God speaks "Salvation!" to your heart and you believe and receive His Spirit Into your heart that is "only" the BEGINNING! If you get a hold of God's Word and really allow Jesus to get a hold on YOU then He Will touch and heal every area of your Life In Him (mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, sexually) gather you under His Wings as a mother hen gathers up her chicks from wherever you have been scattered, take you unto Himself and completely (totally) redeem (restore) you again to your Rightful Place In Him! Won't you Allow Him to bring you to that Place In Him Today? Why not let Him carry you aWay In His Loving Arms? He Loves YOU, He Really and Truly does!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: Day #4 Community of Love
Date: Wed, Dec 11, 2002
Invocation
Heavenly Father as we worship You open our hearts and as we read Your Word open our eyes to see You clearly at work in our lives, In Jesus Name Amen.
Worship
O Worship the King of all Kings
For He alone is God
I will worship
Him who died for my sins
So that I could have life in Him.
O love that will not let me go
The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light. Isaiah 60:19 O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe that in Thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way, I yield my flicking torch to Thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, and feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be.
O joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and from the ground there blossoms red, Life that shall endless be. Amen.
(Taken from Hymns for the family of God)
Day #4 A Community of Love
Psalm 16:11, "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."
I personally love this verse it is truly one of my favorites in the whole Bible because King David is saying is that God will show us the way of life that He wants us to live and as a result of Him showing us that we will experience the joy of His presence and living with Him forever.
Can there be anything greater than this?
The cause and effect of this poem really catches my eye. At first David says keep me safe, o God, for I have come to you for refuge.(Line 1) There is a certain sense of safety here established between King David and the Lord. The reason for that is because David has close personally companionship with his God.
David has learned the secret of Jesus teaching in John 15 of abiding in Christ and here in this verse he is expressing that devotion that no other god will please but the Lord God. How is your life going? By asking that question what I mean is are you struggling with some issue that God wants to deal with you about. God has a great plan for your life the cause of which is eternal life in a relationship with Jesus or the effect is eternal damnation. Now I want to say this that our God is a God of Mercy. He wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth so that each person would know Him intimately so that they would know how His heart beats for Unity and especially for the Salvation of the Lost.
I am sure there have been times when many of you have felt you have just wanted to give up to abandon this life of Christianity but perhaps there are some here reading this letter who even feel discouraged, or distraught about life.
God has called us to a way of life for He is the Life, and the Way to salvation so that we may experience in community together the love of God in Christ.
Community is formed together in this case here online by posting, by allowing us into your lives in fact we are told to do this repeatedly in the New Testament to bear each others burdens to do this and do that so that community will be fostered and most importantly the love of God will be demonstrated here around us. To those who have more knowledge about God you are responsible for that knowledge to God and real knowledge without a heart is no knowledge at all because true knowledge affects a person's heart felt convictions and will spur them towards Christ not away from Him. In a world full of no certain Christianity stands out as a beckon of hope to the hurting, suffering and broken hearted but many have been rejected by Christians because of there false sense of what love really is. God has said that He is love that He wants no person to suffer eternal torment but that in His Sovernity He has put hell there to show how serious He really is about us about how much He longs for us to have true life and meaning in Him together as a community so that we would experience together this wonderful way of life He has called us to live.
Growing up in the church many told me David you need to do this and that to be a good Christian but over the years the Holy Spirit has firmly placed this message of the Way of Life in me because He wants every single person to experience it. Now by saying the way of life I'm not meaning some extra ordinary spiritual experience but just sitting at Jesus feet, listening to His Voice and experiencing His power working through you. People who are dedicated to being real and getting messy with each other form community. I hope you are dedicated to being real and getting messy because I am. I have walked the streets in Manila, Philippines where there are over 30,000 street children, I have stayed in a street kid's home. I have seen the poor houses in Tijuana, Mexico and seen the affects of persecution around the world for the furthermost of the Gospel. As I sat in the street kids home and walked around where they lived literally right on the railroad tracks in my spirit I was deeply broken because these people's lives well they don't have the same freedom's we have, they don't have the same privileges as we do, but in more ways than not I envy them. I envy them because they truly have to give up everything to follow Jesus and to accept His way of Life. There was another time in the Philippines on the first day of ministry there at the Camp we were at were 95% of the kids came forward to receive Christ in fact they didn't' just walk up there to receive Christ they ran forward with open hearts receiving what Jesus had done for them. It simply amazed me how many times in America have you seen people literally run forward receiving Jesus into there hearts? That time in the Philippines greatly shaped me and God put an even greater burden on my heart to reach out to the world those who were lost and especially to bring Unity to the Body of Christ. My point here is simply is that God has given us life to life in Him not for ourselves but for His pleasure so that we can grow in Him and discover the meaning and the purpose of our lives.
Truly a way of life could be characterized by Growth in Jesus a life dedicated to knowing to being all that He wants you to be.
Here is a little chart to see how you are doing in your relationship with Jesus:
Are you reading your bible daily?
Are you praying for the lost around the world? Are you praying for Unity in the body of Christ? Are you ministry driven?
God has a plan and a purpose for each of us to grow into so that we will truly all know the way of Life in which He wants us to live, and most importantly to enjoy His presence. Truly as we love each other as God loves us we form a community of love of growth together so that we would be all that He wants us to be.
If something here touched you I would love to hear about it. You can either respond in the group or email me personally at [email protected]
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Subject: day #5 Going out of your comfort zones
Hello everyone and welcome to the Thursday Service New Testament Service for Servantsofgrace Christian Fellowship December 12th, 2002. Please go to the members section of the group you are in and email five people above and below you in the group.
Announcements
If you haven't had a chance I would like each of you to check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship the home of The Simple Church Fellowship Ministries.
We are looking for people all around the world to be involved in serving God within this ministry. If you have a desire to serve God and are wanting to be involved in serving Him then please go to http://community.webtv.net/thefaithfulsource/WELCOMETOFAITHFUL and contact us.
Invocation
Heavenly Father as we open Your Word open our eyes and help us to walk more in You and less of ourselves. Lord help us to walk out of our comfort zones so that we may live wholly for You and less for ourselves.
Worship
Tell me the stories of Jesus
I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Philippines 3:8
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear; Things I would ask Him to tell me If He were here Scenes by the wayside, Tales of the sea, Stories of Jesus, Tel them to me.
First let me hear how the children Stood 'round His knee, I shall imagine His blessing Resting on me; Words full of kindness, Deeds full of grace, All in the brightness of Jesus' face. Into the city I'd follow The children's band, Waving a branch of the palm tree High in my hand; One of His heralds, Yes, I would sing Loudest hosannas, Jesus is King!
His Name is wonderful
Which is, and which was, and which is to come, The Almighty. Revelation 1:8
His name is Wonderful, His Name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord; He is the mighty King, Master of everything, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord. He's the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He; Bow down before Him, and Love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.
All Hymns taken from hymns for the family of God.
Day #5 Going outside of our comfort zones Luke 17:11-17, "As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" He fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?"
God has a plan and a purpose for each of us to achieve His plan of Salvation and Unity in the Body of Christ. In these few verses we see Jesus Christ the Son of God at work; rewarding the man who came back to Him because he went out of his way to show Jesus that he was thankful. God goes out of His way for us but do we go out of our way for God? The problem today with Christianity in North America and especially the United States is that Christians are more interested in achieving there goals rather than really living and sacrificing there agenda for spiritual growth. The man that was healed was an outcast in his society yet he didn't care he went to Jesus. This man was also a leper, which would have also made him an outcast. People who had leprosy were required to try to stay away from other people and to announce their presence if they had to come near. Sometimes leprosy went into remission.
If a leper thought his leprosy had gone away; he was supposed to present himself to a priest who could declare him clean (Leviticus 14) Jesus sent the 10 lepers to the priest before they were healed-and they went! They responded in faith, and Jesus healed them on the way.
These people went out of their way because Jesus went out of His way to heal them. The response to these people of faith should characterize our Christian lives as well.
If you have put your trust in Jesus and given your life over to Him then your life should also be like these lepers who were healed as they went to see a priest because they responded in faith to what God had told them to do. Really the test of spiritual maturity is this if you are putting yourself in situations where you are not comfortable and throwing yourself into them. There was a time when I was in the Philippines where I felt very sick and missed a day of ministry for a day of relaxing which was very self centered of me. Instead of helping build a village I choose to sit on a bed reading a book while the rest of my team members were out in the field working building a fortified wall so that the floods wouldn't overtake the village. The reason why I'm sharing this story is because we all have self centered moments but the difference is that I repented of it, but most of the people in these groups don't post they only receive they don't respond in faith even when God is calling each and every single one of us members of His Church to be involved in posting in sharing what the Lord is doing in each others lives. 1st Thessalonians 5:14, "Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who re timid. Take tender care of those who are weak.
Be patient with everyone." Yesterday I talked about a community of love and growth, but in community there is bound to be problems such as we have now in not sharing what the Lord is doing in each other lives. You can only be real when you yourself have chosen to be real with others around you. I have seen people set free from addictions only as they have opened up to God and seen what that addiction has really done to them, and the same is true here if you really want to grow in Christ then its time to get real and be open sharing what the Lord is doing. Everyone makes mistakes but the beauty of the Gospel is that Jesus still loves us even when we mess up because He has sent His Son to die for us on the Cross so that we could have life in all its fullness. Let us encourage each other, and build each other up in these Christian E fellowship groups so that we will be one together under Christ the Head of the Church. It is not about what we believe but our common ties to Jesus that bring us together in unity in Christ that matters the most. We must go outside of ourselves and seek not our own agenda but like Jesus and the lepers stretch ourselves outside of our own agenda and seek His Agenda for the church, and for every single man around the world. Then we will be a people born with passion with desire to be a p people known for going out of comfort zones to accomplish God's agenda.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father may You help us to become people who go outside of our comfort zones to accomplish Your will here on earth Lord. Help us to reach out to the hurting and the struggling Lord so that they may be brought into a relationship with Jesus who will make them whole, In Jesus Name Amen.
If something touched you here today and you would like to talk about it please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected] I would love to talk to you.
Tomorrow we will look further at what grows really means.
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Date: Fri, Dec 13, 2002, Subject: MESSIANIC SERVICE
Shabbat Shalom! God's Sabbath Peace to each and ever one of our Members around the World in the Name of Yeshua/Jesus Our Lord, Savior, Messiah and Coming King! Let's Worship the Lord In Spirit and Truth!
A RESTING PLACE
My soul finds rest in God alone. My peace depends on Him And in that place of quiet rest. He fills me from within He pours on me His Holy oil. The Spirit of the living God Then He takes me by His hand, and comforts me with His love He comforts me with His love.
Those who wait upon the Lord new strength He gives to them He gives them wings like the eagle so they might soar with Him He weaves His strength into their lives, The Spirit of the living God Then He gives them all of His peace to guard their hearts and their minds, Guarding their hearts and their minds.
Come my soul and take your rest and find you peace in Him The Holy presence of the Lord that fills you from within O pour on me Your Holy oil Spirit of the living God Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up until I overflow.
Greet one another with a Holy kiss!
E-mail or IM some one today, ask them if there's anything you could pray about for them and encourage one another in your walk with the Lord Jesus/Yeshua the Anointed One.
Prayer: Father God in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua, Your One and Only
Begotten Son, We ask that you would speak to our hearts and minds through Your Word, Fill Us with Your Holy Spirit, Grow Us Daily In Your Grace and Guide Us In Your Perfect Will and Way In the Name of Yeshua/Jesus we pray. Amen.
THE WORD:
Now when [the apostles] had borne their testimony and preached the message of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem, proclaiming the glad tidings (Gospel) to many villages of the Samaritan's [on the way].
But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and proceed southward at midday on the road that runs from Jerusalem down to Gaza. This is the desert [route].
- Acts 8:25, 26
Jesus/Yeshua had planted seed in Samaria with the woman at Jacob's well, it was there that He proclaimed to the disciples that the harvest was ready and now that He ascended to the Father and poured out His Holy Spirit on All flesh the apostles were reaping a revival, but God called Philip the Evangelist out to a desert road in the middle of the afternoon. Would you have gone out in the heat of the day along a desert road when you were an Evangelist having a revival in Samaria? OK! I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say, "Reluctantly!"
In obedience Philip got up and went. And, behold! I'm going to stop here, because there are plenty of "beholds" in the Word of God which usually represent an immediate action to look at intently and feast your eyes upon something or someone that God is showing us. It just so happens that right in front of Philip is this Ethiopian eunuch, of great authority under Candice the queen, who was in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship. Coincidence? I don't think so. This is more of what we call a "divine appointment" and if Philip didn't listen to what that angel of the Lord had told him he would have missed it.
Do you know people who go to Church, Synagogue, Temple, Mosque or commune with nature to worship, but do not have a personal relationship with the Living God? This man obviously was religious, because he happened to be sitting in his chariot reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. Imagine the Spirit of God telling you to walk up to some stretch limo. This is exactly what was happening to Philip and when he heard the man reading asked, "Do you know what you're reading?" Before we go any further let me ask, "Do you ever read the Word of God out loud?" Faith comes by "hearing" and "hearing" by the Word of God. It is only by the Spirit of God and His drawing us to the Father through the Son that our ears are open to hear His Word, eyes open to see the Way, mind's open to understand, heart's open to Love with the Love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts and we become Spiritually Alive!
This Ethiopian man asks, "How is it possible for me to understand unless some one explains it to me and guides me [in the right way]?" This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit! It's His "job" to lead and guide us as Believers into All Truth and Understanding!
Like a sheep He was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so He opens not His mouth.
In His humiliation He was taken away by distressing and oppressive judgement, and justice was denied Him (caused to cease). Who can describe or relate in full the wickedness of His contemporaries (generation)? For His life is taken from the earth and a bloody death inflicted upon Him. [Isa. 53:7, 8.]
- Acts 8:32, 33
These are the two verses of Scripture that this man was reading and the Word of God tells us:
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this portion of Scripture he announced to him the glad tidings (Gospel) of Jesus/Yeshua and about [Him].
- Acts 8:35
As Believers In Jesus/Yeshua being the Son of God are you able to take any Scripture in Old Covenant or New and preach "Christ/Messiah?" Jesus/Yeshua Is the Living Word of God and the Written Word of God speaks ultimately of Him!
With Christmas/Messiahmas right around the corner each and every one of us should be able to tell the World the Good News (the Glad Tidings of God sending His Son to bring Salvation, Peace, Love and Joy to the World)!
If you believe with all your heart [that is, if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus/Yeshua is the Messiah, and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may be baptized and the Ethiopian said, "I do believe that Jesus/Yeshua Christ/Messiah is the Son of God!" Philip baptized him in water, the eunuch saw him no more, and he went his way rejoicing. Afterwards Philip was at Azotus, and passing on he preached the good news (Gospel) to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Later we read of Philip's daughters prophesying, so the beat goes on! Let us all be move diligent in sharing our Faith, proclaiming the Word, Loving one another and being obedient to the Lord's leading and guiding us In His Will and Way! As a Ministry let us preach Jesus/Yeshua unto All Nations and Peoples!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Dec 15, 2002, SUNDAY SERVICE
Welcome every one to this Sunday Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship Church Service. Let's enter into Worship!
GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
Whom have I in heaven but You?
There is nothing on earth I desire besides You. My heart and my strength, many times they fail But there is one truth that always will prevail
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
Love, love, love, love
The gospel in a word is love
Love the Lord with all you heart
For God is love.
Love, love, love, love
Yeshua/Jesus died for us, for love
That we would live a life of love
For God is love
THANKS BE TO GOD
Thanks be to God Who leads us in His triumph Thanks be to God Who's got the victory
We have overcome the world by the blood of the Lamb And loving not our lives Even unto death, The word of our testimony tells the world about His love
As we shout unto the nations:
"He is coming back! He is coming back!"
Through the blood of our Savior
We are set free from the curse
Jesus is the one and only lasting sacrifice He has conquered satan's power
No more shall we be ashamed
Just as He defeated death, we shall never die, No we shall never die.
OK, Everybody go around the room and greet one another In the Love of the Lord Jesus. He Is Our Portion and Strength!
We Are His People the Sheep of His Pasture. E-mail or IM some one right now and pray for one another.
Lord, we come to you now In the Name of Jesus and ask that in our weakness you will show your strength. Speak to our hearts and minds through your Word and draw us ever closer to You. Amen.
Pastor David has asked me to speak on Acts 2:14-41, so for the sake of time and space (areas that only us mere mortals need tangle with) I won't be writing out this portion of Scripture verse for verse and will only be covering key passages of the text, but hope you will read through this section and seek the Lord's Will as it pertains to your Life In Him.
With God's Holy Spirit being poured out upon All flesh, Peter stands to address the crowd in Jerusalem at Pentecost to explain what is happening, so that All may "know" and "understand" and he asks that they listen closely to what he has to say. At 9 am in the morning he's expounding upon the Truth of God's Word coming Alive to All Believers Everywhere through the prophecy of Joel.
The Word of God is of no use to anyone without the Spirit of God quickening us to act upon it in our human flesh here and now. How many people do you know who have a Bible or 12 and don't apply it's teachings in their everyday lives. Are YOU as a Believer telling forth the divine counsels, seeing divinely granted appearances or dreaming divinely suggested dreams? Listen to me Every One of YOU Every Where In the World that this Word of God Is Going Forth, "God Is Calling Each and Every Member of His Body Into ACTION! Men, women and children, young or old should be speaking forth the things of God pertaining especially to His Kingdom (which Is Righteousness, Peace and Joy In the Holy Ghost). We Have the GOOD NEWS! Jesus Is Coming Again SOON and "whosoever" shall invoke, adore and worship the Lord (Christ) - shall be saved! As much as Jesus was accredited, pointed out, shown forth, commended and attested to you by God, He wants to use YOU to reach All Nations and Peoples with His Love Today! Jesus was crucified, died and resurrected, so that we could live His abundant Life here and now right into All Eternity with the Hope of Glory (His Holy Spirit) living, moving and having His "Being" In US and working daily through US, so that we could tell the World about what God has done, can do and will do in the lives of others! When we're "real" with God then He Will use Us to touch other's hearts and lives. I do want to say here and now that we "MUST" reach others with God's Spirit of Love. When the crowd heard what Peter had to say they were stung (cut) to the heart (not beaten down, clubbed over the head with the family Bible or force fed God's Word until they choked to death on it).
We have to be attentive, sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit in our own personal lives and aware of how He's dealing with others. Do we get people to change their views and accept the will of God in their inner selves instead of rejecting it? Are we encouraging Every One to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release of their sins, so that they can receive the Greatest Gift of All, God's Holy Spirit Into their Hearts and Lives? The "Promise" of God's Holy Spirit (along with All of His Fulness and Blessing) Is "To" and "For" YOU, your children, and to and for All that are far away (to the outermost regions of this world that we live in). All of God's Promises are Yes and Amen In Jesus! The Lord our God invites and bids All to come to Himself! Jesus said, "Come Unto ME "ALL" who are weary and heavy laden and I Will Give YOU Rest!" This Is a crooked, perverse, wicked and unjust generation, but it Is Our generation and God has Called Us ALL to reach it In His Name and by the Power of His Might (not our own). Let US ALL be a witness, to testify, admonish, exhort with much more continuous speaking and warn, reprove, advise and encourage one another while it is still called "Today," so that Jesus will use us to build His Church and add souls to It daily.
May the Lord bless and keep you, go before you in All things pertaining to His Perfect and Acceptable Will for Your Life In Him and Surely His Goodness and Tender Mercies Shall Follow YOU All the days of YOUR Life.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Dec 17, 2002,
Subject: Day #6 living beyond yourself
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him... My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song" (Psalm 28:7)
----------
Hey everyone:
Make sure you greet one another by emailing them or contacting them via
messenger. We are the Body of Christ we are called to love each other as
Christ loved us, so lets do it.
Invocation
Heavenly Father as we open Your Word, and worship You; may You open our
eyes Jesus to the reality of living beyond ourselves in worshipping you
with the way we live. Amen
Worship
The Heart Of Worship (Matt Redman)
When the music fades, all is stripped away, And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song,
For a song in itself,
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within,
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'M COMING BACK TO THE HEART OF WORSHIP
IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU, IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS I'M SORRY LORD FOR THE THING I'VE MADE IT WHEN IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU, IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS
King of endless worth, no one could express, How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours, Every single breath
©1997 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) All rights reserved.
Day #6 Living Beyond yourself
Philippians 2:1-4, "Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?
Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your
hearts tender and sympathetic? 2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together
with one heart and purpose.
3Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.
4Don't think only about
your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing."
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable
Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
In life each and every single one of us has problems,
but God is
able to touch us in the midst of those problems reaching beyond Himself to
touch our lives so that we can live beyond ourselves. Have you gone beyond
yourself lately to help another person, or even to love another person that
you thought would be unlovable? God goes beyond Himself everyday to touch
us to reach into our worlds and to conform us into the image of Christ. God
is doing a work in those who have believed in Him to stretch them beyond
being in the self and to be in the Spirit.
Truly a Spirit filled person
will renounce their old ways and adapt to the new ways. Yesterday I was
pacing back and forth at the bus stop thinking about a lot of stuff going
on in my life but then this thought crept into my mind that its all done
with I don't need to worry anymore about this because God has already taken
care of it, it was there in my life because I choose for it to still be
there and yet at the same time in that moment I felt God's awesome peace
surround me as I submitted more to Him.
In community each of us make mistakes but the cool
thing is that we
are to forgive each other to love each other just as Christ loves us. We
are a work in progress, God is not done with us and we must forgive each
other our trespasses against each other if we are to move away from being
centered on ourselves and moving ahead towards the prize set before us by
Christ. In order to live beyond ourselves we must cast aside our old nature
totally putting it to death for Christ died for our sins already, and when
we turn back to our old way of life; we are basically saying forget you
Jesus yet God still reaches out His hand of mercy to us saying I love you
my child come to me I will give you rest for your weary bones. See we must
rest in the Lord and trust in His promises because He never lies we can
hold onto His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us because in
His eternal plan and purpose is for us to reach beyond ourselves to live
beyond ourselves so that we will impact the area around us for Jesus, and
bring about the Unity of the Spirit and the Salvation of the Lost. The truth is that the Word of God is still just as relevant as it was 2,000
years ago as it is today and we who believe in Jesus need to hold close to
His promises and not live for ourselves as many Christians do which is a
crying shame to the Name of Jesus but love each other, encourage each other
so that we can fellowship with each other and as a result live beyond ourselves for the eternal pleasure of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Closing
If you felt something stir in your life as you read anything here please
don't let that stirring go unmet. There are a lot of people here that would
love to talk to you, so please if you felt lead to you can either respond
to the post, or email me personally at [email protected] . I am
here for each of you.
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Teaching the Body of Christ the Word of God; reaching the Lost, mending the
broken hearted. God's ultimate agenda is the Unity of the Body of Christ
and the Salvation of the Lost. What part are you playing in His Agenda?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship
Date: Thu, Dec 19, 2002, NT SERVICE
His blessings to all as we enter into His Presence to Worship Him Who Is Worthy of All Glory, Honor and Praise!
THE LORD REIGNS
The Lord reigns, The Lord reigns, The Lord reigns Let the earth rejoice, Let the earth rejoice, Let the earth rejoice Let the people be glad that our God reigns!
The heavens declare His righteousness
The people see HIs Glory
For You O Lord are exalted over all the earth Over all the earth
I hope you all know and understand that Jesus reigns over All and there is "nothing" above Him. His Is the Name above All names, so let Him rule and reign in your heart and Life Today and always into eternity! Be Ye Glad! May the Joy of the Lord fill you to overflowing.
Allow Him to touch your eyes, so that you can actually "see" His Glory, because It Is Over All of the Earth and working In and Through You!
Father God, I thank You that You have given us Your Name, Your Word and Your Glory. We ask that you speak to our hearts and minds Today, so that we can exalt Your Holy Name In All the Earth. Let Your Holy Spirit flow to All of Your People Everywhere to bring healing to the Nations In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Think over these things I am saying - understand them and grasp their application - for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything.
- 2 Timothy 2:7
Although Paul the Apostle spoke (and wrote down) words of Wisdom that have echoed in the hearts of men throughout the ages, we as Believers "must" under stand that he only was being obedient to the Call of God on his Life and was being moved upon by the "same" Holy Spirit Who Lives and Moves and Has His Being In US! There is absolutely "NOTHING" more powerful and useful to us as Christians than the very Word of God to be taken into our lives daily and put into application towards others.
This Is Our Calling and Purpose for living! As Jesus manifested the complete and total essence of the Father by obeying HIs Perfect and Acceptable Will for His Life, Death and Resurrection, We Are Also to bring the Essence of Christ Everywhere We Go and "GO" we are commanded to do. Every single Word of God Is From the Father and Directed to Your Heart and Life to benefit the lives of others, so read "God's Love Letter To YOU," meditate on that Word and Think Over These Things That The Great I AM Is Saying To YOU. One of the most powerful sentences ever written is out of the Book of Hebrews and says, "God has Spoken!"
He's speaking to us all day and every day, but we need to listen. He who has ears to hear let them hear! Even in the deepest, darkest place of silence God speaks in His Still, Soft Voice to our hearts and minds In Christ Jesus, but unless we are quickened by The Holy Spirit working in our lives the Bible is just black (or red) letters printed on paper. God wants to write on your heart and allow you to completely and totally understand and grasp His Will and Way for Your Life In Him. It Is the "Job" of the Holy Spirit (Who Is the Third Person Of The Trinity) to lead and guide US Into ALL Truth and Understanding and it is our job to submit in obedience and above all "Love." Faith (I've said this before, but you'll hear it countless times again) is the "substance" of things hoped for.
Grasping the Spiritual Truth of Gods Word is far "more" real than anything we could ever experience through our natural sences. Above All else God wants us to "Know" Him, His Will, His Way, His tremendous Love for us and He Will Grant US "Full" Insight and Understanding In Everything! This Is His Word and God Can "NOT" Lie! Not now, Not Ever! He Is Faithful and True In ALL Things! Like Mary received the promise of Jesus into her heart and Life, kept and cherished it, do the same and be the Servant of God's Grace that He Calls US All To BE!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Please, keep Pastor David in your prayers as we will be meeting to discuss plans for this Ministry in 2003. Continue to pray for the Leadership here, our Churches and Orphanages in Africa and India, that the Lord Jesus would completely and totally have His Will and Way done in the lives of every Member here and that He Will Change the Hearts and Lives of All who will be touched by US in 2003 and into Eternity. GBY
Title. MESSIANIC SERVICE
Shalom! G-d's Peace, Wholeness and the Fulness of All His Blessings to Each and Every One Here. Let's Worship the Lord In His Spirit of Truth, Holiness and Love.
WORSHIP:
Take Me In (Dave Browning)
Take me past the outer courts and thru the holy place, Past the brazen altar;
Lord, I want to see Your face.
Pass me by the crowds of people,
And the priests who sing their praise;
I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness But it's on-ly found one place.
So take me in to the Holy of Ho-lies,
Take me in by the blood of the Lamb;
So take me in to the Holy of Ho-lies,
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am.
©1987 Glory Alleluia Music. (Admin. by Tempo Music Publications, Inc.) All rights reserved.
TAKE ME
Take me to Your Holy Place
Lord, I long to see You face to face
Walk within Your Love by Your Grace
Won't You shake me
From this complacency
I want to Be what You want me to Be
Open my eyes, so they can see
Me In You and You In Me
Written by Mark Tross
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
GREETING:
Take this time to e-mail, IM, write, phone or in any Way possible to contact some one in your Group, Church, family, friend, loved one or enemy with the Love of G-d and ask them if you can pray about something for them.
PRAYER:
Father, We Love You for Who You Are and How You Love Us! There Is No Greater Love than what Your Son, Jesus/Yeshua did for us on the Cross at Calvary. He laid down HIs Life, so that we could Live throughout Eternity with You and you have Called us "Friends." Help us Lord to Walk in the Light of Your Love Now and Forever In Jesus' Name. Amen.
THE WORD:
THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN
THE elderly elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) lady (Cyria) and her children, whom I truly love, and not only I but also all who are progressively learning to recognize and know and understand the Truth.
Because of the Truth which lives and stays on in our hearts and will be with us forever:
Grace (spiritual blessing), mercy and soul-peace will be with us, from G-d the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Father's Son, in all sincerity (truth) and love.
I was greatly delighted to find some of your chidren walking (living) in [the] Truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father [Himself]. And now I beg you, lady (Cyria), not as if I were issuing a new charge (injunction or command), but [simply recalling to your mind] the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
And what this love consists in is this, that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments - His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching.
This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love - guided by it and following it.
- 2 John 1-6
John the Beloved who gave us the Gospel of John, 3 Epistles and The Revelation surely knew Love in It's Purest Form. G-d Is Love and Jesus/Yeshua Is G-d! John walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him, drank with Him, slept with Him and even laid his head on the chest of Jesus/Yeshua at the Passover Feast in the Upper Room (what we know Today as "The Last Supper") and heard the heart of G-d beating in human flesh. This Is an Awesome Lesson for each and every Believer in this World to learn and understand. We Live this same experience Every Day, because the Spirit of the Living G-d Lives, Moves and Has His Being In US, The Body of Christ Jesus/Yeshua The Messiah, The Church of The Living G-d!
The Son of G-d has come to dwell In Our Hearts! Oh what manner of Love the Father Has Given Unto US that we should be called (and We Are Called of G-d, His Chosen People, Kings and Priests, The Sheep of His Hand) The Children Of G-d!
If G-d Is Our Father and You Are My Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus/Yeshua then why can't we bother to "really" reach out and Love One Another? If only for the moment we could see things through. The Way we hurt each other it breaks His Heart In two (Yes, I was inspired by Larry Norman). As G-d's Children we should Never, ever give up on the things of G-d, we should Never, ever lose Faith, we should be In AlWays and forever Hopeful (Full of Hope) and endure from here to eternity (read: 1 Corinthians 13:7), because Love Never Fails!
We Have the Victory In Jesus/Yeshua, because He Is G-d Incarnate, G-d Is Love, He Will Never Ever Leave or forsake US, G-d Is Faithful and Jesus/Yeshua Never Fails!
My Dear Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus/Yeshua,
John was moved upon by the Holy Spirit of G-d when he wrote this third letter to the Church, the elect (chosen) lady (G-d's Precious Bride) and her children (every single Member of His Body of Believers around this great big beautiful ball falling around the sun that we call, Earth). Jesus/Yeshua Loves The Church (we're not talking buildings here, but individual people, you and me), His Bride. He wants us to move In His Love and be moved by It, so that we progressively, learn, recognize, "know" and understand Him. Jesus/Yeshua lives In Our Hearts and will be with US Forever! In All Sincerity and Love, Jesus/Yeshua pours out His Mercy and Spiritual Blessings Upon US.
Are You Living In Jesus/Yeshua? Are You walking In His Truth (He Is Truth) and Loving One Another In The Name of Jesus/Yeshua, Representing to the World and All who are living in darkness Everything that He IS? Listen to the Voice of G-d's Holy Spirit speaking to your Heart and Mind In Him. Allow Him to guide you through every step of the Way, follow It. All of G-d's teaching, precepts, ordinances, orders and commandments rest on "this" commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, continue to walk in Love. Love Conquers All!
G-d bless and love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: Living in the reality of Christ
Invocation
Heavenly Father open our eyes to see You and the reality of You at work in our lives. Help us to walk in obedience to Your Word and to apply these great truths today to our lives. In Jesus Name Amen.
Worship
Opening Songs...
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Give thanks to the Lord our God and King His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
©2001 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Six
Steps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) All rights reserved.
Give Thanks (Henry Smith)
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son (Repeat)
And now, Let the weak say "I am strong"
Let the poor say "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us (Repeat)
Give thanks !
Be Unto Your Name (Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler)
We are a moment, You are forever,
Lord of the ages, God before time.
We are a vapor, You are eternal,
love everlasting reigning on high.
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain;
Highest praises honor and glory
be unto Your name, be unto Your name
We are the broken, You are the healer,
Jesus Redeemer, mighty to save.
You are the love song we'll sing forever;
bowing before You, blessing Your name.
Message: Living in the Reality of Christ
42They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer.43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved."
42They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer."
Sharing in the Lord 's Supper refers to the Communion services that were celebrated in remembrance of Jesus and were patterned after the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples before his death. (Matthew 26:26-
29) When we celebrate Jesus, and celebrate communion remember that we are to look inside of ourselves to confess our sins if we say we have any part with Jesus; then we must confess our sins to God even though we are already justified through faith in Him let us go up to Jesus today looking into our own hearts; recognizing our own human weakness.
We are not a community of perfect people, but a people under construction.
Plato wanted a perfect utopia, but the problem is there are no perfect people only people on the Way to discovering what the true meaning of life is all about under Jesus Christ. Plato's utopianan ideals fall short of God's plan of Him showing Himself mighty through those who call out on His Name. The problem is this that while the Plato's ideals are decent at best it still misses the mark God's mark in that God wants us to go to heaven each and every single one of us, but it requires something out of us to look deep inside of our own hearts; to see our own sin so that in turn we are disgusted by our own sin and want to turn from its evil and turn to the Lord.
This is the purpose that communion plays that in communion we are able to look deeply inside of ourselves as we eat the bread and drink of the cup celebrating all the more Christ's victory on the Cross, and His work of Redemption in our own lives. In order to be a community centered on Christ focused on bringing unity to the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost, as the people of God we must stop being focused on ourselves and instead focus on Jesus.
The whole point of Biblical teaching is that it turns us away from our selfish desires and instead points us to a far greater Way Jesus Christ. They early church devoted itself to the Apostle's teaching because they were willing to sacrifice its own agenda for God's agenda of hearing what God had to say through the Apostle's. Sound biblical teaching not only affects every area of our life but it changes the way we think, the way we act, and literally it affects every single area of our lives. You want to know what is true the Word of God is true, and His promises never fail in fact they are new every morning day and night this is why we can go to Jesus because He is true, and because His love never fails. There was a social dynamic here to the apostles teaching because as a result of there sound teaching of God's Word the people of God fellowshipped with each other. While many today in the Body of Christ flaunt there own ideas when in fact some are flat out non- biblical and the Word of God says we are not to duel swords with each other but to submit to each other out of reverence for Jesus. It is not about ourselves or our own beliefs, and while I do believe in being Biblically sound there are many grey areas out there that we are to figure out for ourselves what we believe about those things otherwise we as the people of God can be left out in the wind, but even more so I feel that as the people of God in these grey areas we must love each other because Jesus loves us. We need to submit to each other because in these grey areas it doesn't matter the unity of the Body of Christ and the salvation of the Lost should be our first and primary concern over these things not to say that they aren't important because they are but even more so we should seek to establish the Unity of the Spirit and the salvation of the Lost. This is God's purpose and this is God's agenda for the Church the living organism of every single believer in His Name. The early believer's fellowshipped with each other because they held there agenda low compared to the Excellency of knowing Jesus and Him crucified.
43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
This was a community marked by awe in what God was doing not only in there lives but corporately how He was bringing all people to Himself by the Holy Spirit. Who are you drawing to yourself by your Christian witness? Would your life be marked by a deep sense of awe?
The Apostles performing miraculous signs and wonders showed there validity as Apostles in His Name that He had sent them into the field. God is still at work today performing miracles everyday in our lives the miracle of salvation reforming our old behavior into the new man a new creation so that we can experience life everlasting.
44And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had.
This community was more than a fellowshipping community it was a sacrificial community and as we are going to see throughout this study on the Book of Acts they gave literally everything, and shared everything with each other because of the bond of the Spirit drawing them together to be together. In community we need to share with each other, be kind with each other, because God is at work in each of us none of us are perfect and each one of us has areas that we need to work on, but God is at work we need to hold onto Jesus who is at work in our lives because that is our common tie if you believe in Jesus we are all ONE under Him our bonds hold us together because Jesus never fails and His love is everlasting.
They shared everything and met together because of the eternal love of God at work in there lives and because of there reverence for Jesus and His work in there own lives. A community that sacrifices is one that stays together, grows together so that it will be firmly established together under its beliefs. Denominations today have formed the misconception that there church is the only true church but the truth is that the only true church is the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ and wherever anyone who calls out on His Name, who has believed in His name there the Body of Christ dwells for the True Church is not within a building but within us the people of God, for the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, and breathes life into us so that we can experience the supernatural life of God in Christ. This was a community who recognized the profound truths of the former statement who lived it out and who shared together everything they had. How are you living out these truths in your own life?
45They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need."
As our love for each other grows naturally out of that we will give for Jesus has said it was better to give than to receive(Luke 6:38). Our love for each other grows as we temper it with the Word of God and the love for each other. This results in community folks where we are real with each other which ultimately is what Jesus is with us. Jesus is real to us because His Spirit dwells within us. Jesus is not bound by the limitations that we put on Him but we are bound to them if you have put up limitations on Jesus work in your own life I think its time to wake up because the Word of God is still living and active and able to penetrate every area of your life, but you have to allow it to have place in your life. In a real sense you have to be real before He will get real but ultimately as I stated in the opening that communion is a place to look inside of ourselves, but fellowship is the place to unmask yourself the old hurts and all of it and come together so that you can grow into the image of the One whom you have believed upon. God knows where you are today, but He doesn't want you to stay there, and the sad truth is that most churches today, and even sadder most denominations today say that once you have achieved these few things you are "spiritually mature" but the even more shocking thing is that the Apostle Paul, and Jesus never said do these things and you shall be spiritually mature no all they said was follow Jesus who along will make you mature, and we will be mature only when He has looked us through and through when we shall stand before Him, and He shall give us white robes unstained by the world and its sin. If we are to be real we need to lay aside our own agenda for the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. As the people of God we need to remain focused on that sharing with the poor, broken hearted and with each other what God is doing in our lives. This will form real community a place where we share each others hurts, bear each others burdens, and most importantly where we love each other just as Jesus loves us.
46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved."
A healthy Christian community will grow if it is real, love each other, has fellowship with each other, and is taught the Word of God and how to align the Word of God to a believer's life. This forms real Biblical community a place where people are open to share what is going on in there lives, and that is the place where unbelievers would be attracted to come to be, to learn what the meaning of the Gospel really is, and who this Jesus guy really is and what He is about. Non-believers aren't attracted to a show, but they are attracted to passion.
Now, why would unbelievers be interested in passion because in passion we show that we are real and serious about our faith that it has made such a difference in our lives that we would share it with the whole world. Worship is not just some thing that we do on Sunday's and if it is I suggest you read your Bible, because the Father is looking for worshippers who will worship beyond Sunday and worship Him on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and well you get the point the rest of the week. A healthy community of believers will grow naturally as a result not of anything it has done but for its zeal in worship and its brotherly love for each other. As a result of these things people flocked to there community because they were real because the loved each other more than they loved themselves or there own teaching as many do these days, but they loved God with there whole hearts, and they were real with each other. This ought to mark each of us the reality of Jesus at work in our lives so much that we would give up our agenda to be real for Him instead of for our friends so that Jesus might be known through us, and we would be marked as these people were by the non-believers as Christians or Christ followers. May we become a community friends that lives in the real reality of Jesus the Head of the Church for the church dwells within us, within each of these groups here online we are the Body of Christ so let us be real with each other, let us share with each other what God is doing, and let us love the community of the Body of Christ and the lost with a holy passion centered on God's Word and on God's agenda, for then we shall be a community living in the reality of Christ.
Closing Song
Closing Song...
Breathe (Marie Barnett)
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you
©1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (ASCAP)(Admin. by Music Services) All rights reserved.
If something here touched you and you would like to talk please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Teaching the Body of Christ the Word of God; reaching the Lost, mending the broken hearted. God's ultimate agenda is the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. What part are you playing in His Agenda?
Date: Tue, Dec 24, 2002, CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
WORSHIP:
Lord we come to You and we worship You for all All that You came to Earth to do.
Seek Ye First (Karen Lafferty)
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And his righteousness,
And all these things will be added unto you.
Singing Allelu, Alleluia.
Ask and it shall be given unto you,
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you.
Singing Allelu, Alleluia.
Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God.
Singing Allelu, Alleluia.
©1972 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company) All rights reserved.
INCARNATION
CHRISTMAS C. M. From George F. Handel
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around.
Amen.
WILSON From Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Come, thou long expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free: From fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in thee.
Amen.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
CHRISTMAS C. M. From George F. Handel
Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve, And press with vigor on; A heavenly race demands thy zeal, And an immortal crown, And an immortal crown. Amen.
MISSIONARY CHANT L. M. Heinrich C. Zeuner Behold! The Christian warrior stand In all the army of his God; The Spirit's sword is in his hand, His feet are with the Gospel shod; Amen.
GREETING:
I hope that YOU are seeking the Lord as the three wise men did, because as we draw near to Him He draws near to us.
Please, contact as many people in your Groups as you can to wish them a Merry Christmas!
FIRST READING
CHRISTMAS
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.
They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: They joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For the yolk of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom.
To establish and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness From henceforth and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, And a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit; And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding;
The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, [his ears Neither decide after the hearing of
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
And he shall smite the oppressor with the rod of his mouth And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, And faithfulness the girdle of his loins.
And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, And the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and the bear shall feed;
Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, And the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
PRAYER:
Father, You have given us Light in darkness, Your Son, Jesus Who Is Wonderful and brought Joy to this World that we live in. Give us the Zeal of the Lord Today, so that we may perform Your Will and Way In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I have taken some songs and the Word from my almost 98 year old hymnal which my Grandfather used as a Church Organist over 30 years ago. Only because, after speaking with Pastor David, God confirmed His Will and Way for this very special message. There is absolutely nothing wrong with "Tradition" when it is steeped in the blessings of God. Although, I Am not one for strict formalism, Our God is a God of things being done decently and in order, so when the fulness of time had come, He sent His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus into this World we live in to save sinners. Redemption ripped through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe.
Like Moses before Him, Mary's was no "ordinary" child and she knew that He was not only her's, but the World's. The Spiritual and the natural worlds collided when Jesus was born. He was totally God Who Is Spirit and totally a natural man of flesh and blood as YOU and I are in this World. We carry HIm in the womb of our hearts, bring forth His Life In and through ours ever day and grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Him just as He did with Our Heavenly Father here on Earth. What child is this that He should be called Wonderful? His Holy Spirit lives in us and Is Our Counselor.
This Christ Child, the Anointed One Is the long awaited Messiah. He will become "man" to the fullest extent of meaning, because He Is Our Mighty God from Everlasting to Everlasting.
Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM!"
Before Our Father of Faith was even born The Father of Eternity had plans to send The Prince of Peace onto Earth, bring His Good Will towards All mankind and because, He Is Eternal His Kingdom Is For Evermore! Jesus Is Our Peace, Our Shalom, Our Fulness, Our Blessing and most of All He Is Ours! Unto US a child is given! Cherish these things in your hearts and mind! Each and Every Day of your Life In HIm unwrap HIs Gifts bestowed upon YOU and in humility, with a servants heart like Mary bring Him into the World, so that they may see His Great Light shine upon them too!
If you have never received the Gift of God into your hearts and lives then please, do so today, because He Loves YOU.
May this be your most precious Christmas ever, because God has imparted to our human hearts the Lord Immanuel. God Is With US! Merry Christmas Every One!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Dec 25, 2002, CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE
WORSHIP:
Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing. Amen
Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o're all the earth; Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new born King. Amen
Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright; Round yon virgin mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Amen.
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold; "Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven's all gracious King:" The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing. Amen.
THE WORD:
For to which of the angels did (God) ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [that is, established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son? [Ps. 2:7; 2 Sam. 7:14.]
Referring to the angels, He says, (God) Who makes the angels winds, and His ministering servants flames of fire; [Ps. 104:4.]
You have loved righteousness - You have delited in integrity, virtue and uprightness in purpose, thought and action - and You have hated lawlessness (injustice and iniquity). Therefore God, [even] Your God (Godhead), has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond Your companions. [Ps. 45:6, 7.]
- Hebrews 1:5, 7, 9
IN many separate revelations - each of which set forth a portion of the Truth - and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets.
[But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time - [that is,] He made, produced, built, operated and arranged them in order.
He is the sole expression of the glory of God - the Light-being, the out-raying of the divine - and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high, [Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.
- Hebrews 1:1-4
Today, when you think of the baby in the manger, so many years ago, remember and behold the man Christ Jesus In All Of His Glory And Splendor! When the fulness of time had come, God Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus into the World which we live to save sinners such as we are. This Christ Child created this great big beautiful World that we live in along with each and every one of us living in it. It is He Who holds All things together! Let Us Look (feast our eyes upon Him) Unto Jesus The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith! He Himself said, "If you have seen Me then you have seen The Father. I and the Father Are One!" As we celebrate this most Holy of days on the calendar of human history, let us remember that when Jesus stood before Pilate before His crucifixion He said, "It is for this reason I have come into the World." May He anoint each and every one of you with His Holy Spirit Oil of Exultant Joy and Gladness from this day forward until we come to stand before Jesus, The Light of the World!
God's Greatest Blessings and His Abundance of Love rest upon you and yours during this Holiday Season and Into All Eternity,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Dec 26, 2002, THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Worship:
We Will Glorify (Twila Paris)
We will glorify the King of Kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of Lords
Who is the great I Am
Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone
He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord of all the universe
All praise to Him we give
Hallelujah to the King of Kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of Lords
Who is the great I Am
The Word:
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death - death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter. But the mind of the (Holy) Spirit is life and soul-peace [both now and forever].
- Romans 8:6
Are you living after the dictates of the flesh? God condemned sin in the flesh - subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power [over all who accept the sacrifice of Jesus as an offering for our sin]. There is "NOW" no condemnation - no adjudging guilty of wrong - for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live after the dictates of the Spirit. Our Heavenly Father, God sent His Son, Jesus in the guise of sinful flesh some 2000 years ago to do what the Law could not do for us and that is to make us fully righteous and just in His Eyes. We should be seeking those things which gratify the Holy Spirit of God, His Kingdom, His Righteousness, the things which are high above the natural and into the Super-Natural. God's Peace and Joy are ours In Christ Jesus!
We have the Mind of Christ to think His Thoughts, reason with His Knowledge and Understanding (which is fully revealed to us in His Word) and as much as we should be seeking the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives we should be walking by Faith, In Hope, but our utmost goal is His Love. God so Loved the World that He sent Jesus to save us from our "selves." We in turn should be going to others in the World with His Love and with His Good News to save them from their "selves." The life of "self" is a life of death, destruction and misery, but when we die to our own sense and reason and become alive (born-again, life-anew) In God's Holy Spirit then we experience God's Shalom, His Peace, Fulness, Blessings and the Abundant Life which Jesus promised us In Him. There is no greater Love or Life than what God has given us in Jesus, so take it to yourself forever and give unto others as He has given unto you.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Dec 27, 2002, THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS / MESSIAHMAS SERVICE
Shalom! Let's Bless the Lord!
Worship:
BLESSED BE THE LORD
Blessed be the Lord a mighty fortress
Blessed be the Lord my sword and shield
Blessed be the Lord Who reigns victorious Blessed be, Blessed be the Name of the Lord Blessed be, Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Your power - Is like the raging sea
Your Grace - Brought it down to me
And now - I walk in victory
Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Your Blood - Set this captive free
Your Love - Is giving Life to me
And now - I'm Yours Eternally
Blessed be the name of the Lord
The Word:
For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here], shall lose [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake, shall find [life everlasting].
- Matthew 16:25
Are you very much aware that we are All called of G-d to be disciples of Jesus/Yeshua? Yes, that's right, each and every one of us! We are to disregard, lose sight of and forget our "self" and our own interests to cleave steadily to Him, conform wholly to His example in living and if need be in dying, also. What good would it do you to obtain everything in this world that "you" desire and forfeit your blessed Life in the Kingdom of G-d? Is there any "thing" in this present World that we live in that is "better" than Eternal Life In a right standing relationship with Our Heavenly Father, the Peace of G-d that passes All Understanding or the Joy that the Holy Ghost brings? Not only did Jesus/Yeshua Christ/Messiah the Anointed One come to Earth as a little baby, born of a virgin, but He grew up to Be the Son of Man, fulfilled every single prophecy ever spoken by men and women of G-d in human history and died on the Cross at Calvary in our stead, so that we could have Eternal Life In His Name. Let's get "real" here, is the life that you and I are now living worth holding on to rather than hiding it In Christ/Messiah Jesus/Yeshua and gaining Eternal Life In Him? Everything in time will run out of time some day. This life and world we live in is temporal. The Word of G-d tells us that our life is but a breath. Whatever comfort we have here is nothing compared to the Comfort of G-d's Holy Spirit In our Life when we are wrapped up In Jesus/Yeshua. Messiah "Was" born into this World, died and rose again, "Is" seated at the right hand of G-d the Father and "Is To Come" Again SOON! He Is Eternal!
Jesus/Yeshua said, "Before Abraham was, I AM!" He Is the Resurrection! Not only does He resurrect us from the dead, but He Is Resurrection Itself! Messiah Is the Way!
Without Him there is no going!
Jesus/Yeshua Is Truth! G-d can "NOT" lie, so let Him Be True and everyman a liar. Take Him at His Word, because His Word Is Truth and Jesus/Yeshua Is the Word of G-d In Human Flesh!
Christ/Messiah In You Is the Hope of Glory, the Hope of Isreal, the Hope of Heaven! Jesus/Yeshua Is Life Eternal! For G-d's sake, for your sake, seek Him and find Him, because He Is Life Everlasting!
If I asked you today if you were going to Heaven when you died would you say, "I Hope so?" John the Beloved wrote his words of Eternal Life, so that you would "KNOW" (experiencially) that you "HAVE" Eternal Life In Jesus/Yeshua! If you have never asked Messiah to rule and reign in your heart and life then do it today, because Today Is the Day of Salvation In Jesus'/Yeshua's Name and "whoever" loses this temporal life will gain Life Everylasting In Him!
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS SUNDAY SERVICE
WORSHIP:
HEALER OF MY SOUL
Healer of my soul
Heal me at evening
Heal me at morning, heal me at noon
Healer of my soul.
I am tired, astray and stumbling, shield my soul From the snare of sin.
Keeper of my soul
Keep me at evening
Keep me at morning, keep me at noon
Keeper of my soul.
Freer of my soul
Free me at evening
Free me at morning, free me at noon
Freer of my soul.
Lover of my soul
Love me at evening
Love me at morning, love me at noon
Lover of my soul.
Savior of my soul
Save me at evening
Save me at morning, save me at noon
Savior of my soul.
THE WORD:
INDEED, [at His thunderings] my heart also trembles, and leaps out of it's place.
Hear, oh, hear the roar of His voice and the sound of rumbling that goes out of His mouth!
Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, and His lightning to the ends of the earth.
After it His voice roars; He thunders with the voice of His majesty, and He restrains not [His lightnings against His adversaries] when His voice is heard.
God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
For He says to the snow, Fall on the earth; likewise He speaks to the showers and to the downpour of His mighty rains.
God seals up [stops, brings to a standstill by severe weather] the hand of every man; [and now under His seal their hands are forced to in-activity], that all men whom He has made may know His doings [His sovereign power and their subjection to it].
Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their lairs.
Out of its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds.
By the breath of God ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen over. [Ps. 147:17, 18.]
- Job 37:1-10
With Winter upon us I decided to break away from our study in the Book of Acts and personally speak to you as the Son sets on 2002 and rises for us in 2003.
None of us are promised tomorrow, but Today Is the Day of Salvation and I am determined to make it count for the Lord Jesus. How is it that such an Awesome God Who Created the Universe and Everything In It Cares for me? He Is All Powerful and All Mighty! I am weak, but In Him I Am Strong to the taking down of Spiritual strongholds in the heavenlies.
He causes the sun to rise on the just and the unjust as well as the rains to fall upon us. Christmas Day we had the first snowfall since 1969 and the worst storm to hit North Eastern Pennsylvania since 1947 which brought 28 inches of snow to my humble abode. In the words of Paul Simon, "A freshly fallen silent shroud of snow" and In God's, "Though your sins be as scarlet I Will Make them Whiter than snow!" With icicles over three feet long hanging at my picture window, deer at the stream flowing across the front of my property and down the mountain to the Delaware River, possum and my six cats in the snow it truly was a "Winter Wonderland."
Needless to say, someone had to spend 2 1/2 hours shovelling the driveway and it happened to be me. I've told you before that there's no such thing as an ungodly hour, but I did ask God that great "Jewish" question, "WHY?" His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are far above ours, so I'll just trust His Judgements and that is what leads us to this Scripture portion Today.
You are a fountain springing up in a garden, a well of living waters, and flowing streams from Lebanon. [John 4:10; 7:37, 38.]
[You have called me a garden, she said.]
O, I pray the cold north wind and the soft south to blow upon my garden, that its spice may flow out [in abundance for you in whom my soul delights]. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat its choicest fruits.
- Song of Solomon 4:15, 16
Am I willing for the north wind of adversity to blow upon me, if it will better fit me for Christ's presence and companionship?
In Job 38 God begins to speak to Job and his so called "friends." The Book of Hebrews tells us that God spoke in the days of old, but now He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus and by the Holy Spirit living in us, leading and guiding us in All Truth and Understanding pertaining to the Things of God as brought forth In His Holy Word. Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let them hear!" Have you been listening to what God has to say to YOU (forget about your brother or sister, but YOU)? Like Peter worrying about what Jesus was going to do with John the Beloved, we need to listen for His Will and Way for US and Be Obedient to His Call. If Each and Every Member here was consistent in doing what God Called them to do the Body of Christ Jesus would "Be" All that God Calls Us to "Be" In This World!
Jesus is quoted in The Gospel of John as saying, "I AM the True Vine and My Father is the Vinedresser." My Brothers and Sisters In The Lord Jesus, We Are the Garden of God!
His Seed Is Planted In Our Hearts and Souls, He waters It and brings the increase. Our Father God Is The Master Gardener Who brings the Son to Shine In Our Hearts and Minds. He brings the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Not only does He Rule and Reign In Heaven above, but He pours out His blessings upon us in the form of rain, so that we no longer thirst and His Word in which we can be rooted and grounded to bring forth fruit and "lasting fruit" for His Kingdom. He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. I have told you these things that His joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be full measure and complete and overflowing.
Nobody ever said, this was going to be easy. It is all too often painful, but we have not yet shed our own blood as Jesus did to bring us Eternal Life In His Name. He Is the Vine, we are the branches, - Live In Him and He Will Live In YOU! Whoever lives In Him and He In YOU bears much (abundant) fruit. Life as man knows it began in a garden, Eternal Life as the Son of God knew it was a struggle in a garden, He died in our stead, rose again from a garden tomb and we who put our Faith In Him, Believe In Him and Trust In Him will be with Him Forever More In A Garden Ever Green, Forever Green.
We are the Garden of God! Allow His Living Waters to flow in and through you, His Breath of Life to blow upon you and let Him enter in to every area of your life (even if it means a little pruning), so that He can Make YOU All that He created YOU to "Be." Whatever the Lord brings your Way He Will Use for His Glory and He'll work Everything together for Your's and His Good. Plant Your "self" deep in His Word and His Holy Spirit Will Lead and Guide YOU In His Will and Way for YOU in the coming year.
May the Lord God Bless and Keep YOU, Cause His Face to Shine Upon YOU, Pour Out His Grace Upon YOU, Lift up the Light of His Countenance upon YOU and Give YOU His Peace, Shalom, Wholeness, Fulness from this day forward and into All Eternity!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Dec 31, 2002, THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS / HAPPY OLD YEAR OT SERVICE
WORSHIP:
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Salvation Belongs To Our God (Adrian Howard and Pat Turner)
Salvation belongs to our God
Who sits upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb
Praise and Glory,
Wisdom and thanks,
Honour and power and strength.
Be to our God forever and ever,
Be to our God forever and ever,
Be to our God forever and ever, amen.
And we, the redeemed shall be strong
In purpose and unity
Declaring aloud
Praise and Glory,
Wisdom and thanks,
Honour and power and strength.
©1985 Restoration Music, Ltd.
All rights reserved.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Beautiful Savior (Stuart Townend)
All my days, I will sing this song of gladness.
Give my praise to the Fountain of de-lights; for in my helplessness you heard my cry, and waves of mercy poured down on my life.
I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer; I will sing of the blood that never fails, of sins for - given, of conscience cleansed, of death de - feated and life without end.
Beautiful Saviour, Wonderful Counsel-or, clothed in majesty, Lord of history,
You're the Way the Truth, the Life, Star of the Morning. Glorious ho--liness, You're the Risen One, Heaven's Champion, and You reign, You reign, over all.
I long to be, where the praise is never en---ding; Yearn to dwell where the glory never fades, Where count-less worshipers will share- one- song; And cries of "worthy" will honour the Lamb!
©1998 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) All rights reserved.
______________________________________________
LORD AND KING
You are the Mighty One
You are the Holy One
Lord, You are the King
over all the earth
KING OF MY LIFE
KING OF MY DREAMS
YOU REIGN IN MY LIFE TODAY!
Written By Janae Ivie 12/26/02
THE WORD:
So [as the result of the Messiah's intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun.
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight - for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives. [Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:29.]
- Isaiah 59:19
With 2002 quickly riding off into the sunset and 2003 on the horizon we have much to be thankful for and plenty to prepare for in the tomorrow's which lie ahead. All good things come down from God out of Heaven and this ministry as a whole (comprised of each and every individual Member here) has much to praise God for and I hope will commit to a deeper walk and relationship with Him in the New Year. Certainly there have been some losses along the Way, but like the Nation of Israel crossing the Jordan and entering into the Promised Land let us learn from our mistakes, forget what lies behind, forsake those things which so easily beset us, press on to the High Calling we All have In Jesus and look unto Him as the Author and Finisher of our Faith!
Because of God's Love for the World, the birth, Life, death, resurrection of Jesus the Messiah, the outpouring of The Holy Spirit and His workings in and through us we "have" the VICTORY In His Name!
Surely we have an enemy who wants to sift us as wheat, but Jesus has prayed for us, that our faith will not fail (because Love Never Fails!) and as we go forward In His Will and Way we MUST strengthen one another. Let us go forward worshipping the Lord In Spirit and Truth, because the Lord inhabits the praises of His People! Serve Him and minister to Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords that He Is and MORE! Reverence His Holy Name for He Is Glorious! Each and Every Member here and All Christians around the World from North, South, East and West, Every Tribe and Every Tongue should arise and shine, because Our Light has come and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon us to Go, Do and Be All that He has Called us to!
In the Hebrew text there are no commas, periods or the like, but each letter of their alphabet has a numerical number and in English or any other spoken language we lose the richness of God's Word, so that's why I like to use the Amplified Bible to get the fullest meanings out of the Greek and Hebrew writings. As I said, we do have an enemy, but he is a defeated foe and come he does at us from every available angle. It has been said, Keep you friends close, but your enemies closer. First of all as Believers we are to Love our enemies, but that doesn't mean that we are not to have the full Armor of God on at all times, because we are in a constant Spiritual Battle, there are souls at stake and the consequences are eternal. Now, having said all that I'd like you to look at our Scripture and read, "When the enemy comes in... Like A FLOOD The Spirit of the Lord lifts up a Standard against him!"
The King James Version of the Bible says, "Resist the devil and he MUST Flee from you!" What is your standard? Your will, your way or God's Perfect and Acceptable Will for Your Life In His Way?
King David said, "He prepares His Table before me in the presence of my enemies!" The Word of God tells us that He brings us to His Banqueting Table and His Banner (or in this case God's "Standard") Over Us Is Love! When the Nation of Israel was travelling through the desert each of The Twelve Tribes would gather together in their Groups under the banner or standard of said Tribe. Jesus Is Our Standard!
He comes like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives! Streams of Living Waters are to be rushing / flowing out of our Lives In Him and reaching the dry and weary places of this World in which we live and move and have our being. It is the Breath of The Holy Spirit that Gives Us Life In The Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus! Let Him Lead and Guide YOU into ALL Truth and Understanding as to what He would have YOU to DO with the Life He has Given YOU and the Gifts and Talents He has Bestowed Upon YOU to build up the Body of Christ Jesus and Fulfill the Great Commission!
When Paul the Apostle saw the Light from heaven flash around him on the Damascus Road he asked, "Who are YOU? LORD?" Has the Light of God's Life shined in your heart and mind? Even Paul prayed that he may "KNOW" Him and the Power of His Resurrection, so shouldn't we? Have you asked Jesus, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
Without "Vision" God's People perish, so ask Him Today right where you are to touch your eyes, open them, so that you can see everything that He has for you and then lean on , trust in and obey Him not by your own might or power, but by His Spirit. Commit your will and way unto the Lord and He Will accomplish His Way In and Through YOU from this time forth and forever more.
May the Lord's richest blessings be yours and His Love rest upon you in the coming year.
Please, pray daily for this ministry and each other, so that we can work together to bring Unity to the Body of Christ Jesus throughout the World, Equip the Saints for Service In the Kingdom of God which Is Righteousness, Peace and Joy In the Holy Ghost and Fulfill the Great Commission In Jesus' Name!
Happy New Year 2003! God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Title. Date: Wed, Jan 1, 2003, PSALMS & PROVERBS SERVICE 2003
WORSHIP:
IN MY LIFE
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified In my life Lord, be glorified today.
Ha-llelu---jah Hallelu-jah Hallelu-jah
Ha-llelu---jah Halle---lu-----jah
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified Ha-llelu---jah Hallelu-jah Hallelu-jah
In my life Lord, be glorified today.
Ha-llelu---jah Halle---lu-----jah
In my time.......etc
In this place.....etc
THE WORD:
Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity] lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed - happy, fortunate and to be envied - are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!
- Psalm 2:12
Who has ascended into Heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know? [John 3:13; Rev. 19:12.]
- Proverbs 30:4
My Dear Sweet Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus, These are two of my favorite Scriptures (although I must confess that I Love the Entire Word of God) and ones I feel are most appropriate to start off our New Year with.
How can we pay homage to God In Purity when we have been steeped in sin from our birth? Do we walk in unbelief like the Nation of Israel did for 40 years in the wilderness and could we perish in the "Way?" Jesus Is Coming SOON and He Is Going to Judge the quick (that's us as Believers) and the dead (unbelievers).
Remember that Judgement "begins" at the House of God. While the "World" is re-evaluating their present situation and making New Year's resolutions "We" (The Church of the Living God) should be putting everything we know and have into action to reach the lost and dying for Jesus, because He wishes that NONE would perish, but that ALL would "come" to repentance. We (as the Body of Christ Jesus here on Earth) have the "solution" to the "sin" problems of the World and are commanded to go into All the World and Preach the Good News (the Gospel of Christ Jesus) to All Nations and Peoples! Jesus Is the Answer for the World Today! God has provided the Way out of sin and Into Eternal Life through Faith In Christ Jesus. He Is Our Hiding Place and All of Us who put our Trust In Him and seek refuge In His Holy Name are blessed - happy, fortunate and to be envied. Can you kiss the Son and mean it? Why choose to be sinners in the hands of an angry God when He has reached out to us In Love with outstretched arms on the Cross of Calvary, so that who-so-ever Believes In - clings to, trusts in and relies on Him will NOT persish, but Have Ever-Lasting Life (Eternal Life) In His Name?
Who has ascended and descended into Heaven, gathered the wind in His fists, bound the waters in His garment and established the ends of the Earth? What is His Name and His Son's Name? Do YOU KNOW?
Every Word of God Is Tried and Purified; He Is A Shield to those who Trust and take refuge In Him. [Pss. 18:30; 84:11; 115:9-11.]
- Proverbs 3:5
Jesus Is the Living Word of God and He has Given Us His Name, His Word and His Holy Spirit, so that we might be the representation of Him here on Earth! In Him ALL things were created and By Him ALL things are held together! He Is the Head of [His] Body, the Church, the Foundation, the Corner Stone and the Cap Stone! He MUST Be our ALL and ALL!
Apart from Him we can do NOTHING! Do you want to be successful in 2003 and prosper in Everything you put your hand to?
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
- Joshua 1:8
This is the only place in the early English versions where the word "success" is found.
God says, "Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that I have given you, as I promised Moses." Let us take All that God has given us from this day forward and into All Eternity! Commit your Way unto Him and He Will Make YOUR Path Straight!
Happy New Year 2003! God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Jan 2, 2003, FIRST NT SERVICE OF 2003
WORSHIP:
YOU ARE MY SALVATION
You are the mighty King, Master of everything All of creation sings, You are our salvation Glory to You we bring, You're Son we're worshipping Our praise an offering, You are our salvation
You, you, you alone are worthy to be praised You, you, you alone are God
You gave your life for us, a sacrifice of love Glory to your Name
So I'll lift up my voice and dance to the Lord
Atah Yeshua-Teynu
For my heart's overjoyed and I'll sing evermore You are my salvation, you are my salvation
You are faithful and true and you hear when I pray
Atah Yeshua-Teynu
For my heart's overjoyed and I'll sing evermore You are my salvation, You are my sal - va - tion
THE WORD:
And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful - accurate, incorruptible and trustworthy - and true (genuine). [Isa. 43:19.]
- Revelation 21:5
Looking for a fresh new start in 2003?
Today Is the Day of Salvation! To Him Who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb may be all blessing and glory and honor and power forever! Jesus Is Risen from the dead, ascended unto Heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father. Our battles are the Lord's and we "have" the VICTORY In Jesus' Name! On the Cross at Calvary He Proclaimed, "It Is Finished!" Jesus Is the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Are you thirsty? He [Himself] Will Give YOU water without price from the fountain (springs) of the water of Life. [Isa. 55:1.] Streams of Living Water are to flow in and through you and as a fountain our lives are to be poured out a blessing to All Mankind Everywhere. Spring Up O Well Within My Soul! He Is Our God, we are His Children and shall inherit All These things!
But as for the cowards, ignoble, contemptible, cravenly lacking in courage, cowardly submissive, unbelieving, faithless, depraved, defiled with abominations; and as for murderers, the lewd, adulterous, practicers of magic arts, idolaters [those who give supreme devotion to any one or anything other than God] and all liars [those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed, all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death. [Isa. 30:33.]
- Revelation 21:8
When we die to self, we die to sin and become born-again of God by the Power of His Holy Spirit In Our Lives to be with Him Forever throughout Eternity! God will wipe every tear away from our eyes, death shall be no more (O death, where is your sing?), neither shall there be anguish - sorrow and mourning - nor grief nor pain any more; for the old condition and the former order of things have passed away. [Isa. 2:8; 35:10.] Each and Every Day of our Christian Life we have Grace (sufficient for the Day), Mercy (there is NO Condemnation for those who are In Christ Jesus!) and God's Loving Kindness renewed. The old things are passed away, Behold (Look and See!), All things become New! Record this, write it down, memorize it, recite it, take a picture, burn it deep into your heart, mind, soul, Spirit and strength, because these sayings are faithful! God Is Faithful and Jesus Never Fails! Love Never Fails!
God CAN NOT lie! His Word Is accurate, incorruptible, trustworthy, true and genuine (The Real Deal), so get into God's Word Daily and let It Get Into YOU!
Tired of the old way, your way, doing things "my" way? Jesus Is the New and Living Way!
Have you or others that you know bought the lie? Jesus Is the Truth, Holy, Pure and Blameless (In Him this is how God Sees YOU).
Living is hard, but Life In Jesus Is Eternally Good, because God Is Good (All the time) and His Blessings are more precious than all the diamonds in the World. Afraid of dying? Jesus Is the Resurrection (He Is Not Only the "Resurrector", but "Resurrection" Itself) and Life Eternal Is Found In No Other Name Under Heaven By Which We MUST Be Saved!
Put your Faith to Action In Him from this time forth and forever more. He Is Rest, Peace, Fulness, Hope, Blessing and Our All In All, so trust Him completely with all, because He Gave His All for YOU.
Jesus declares, "I make all things new!"
Have Thine Own Way Lord!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Jan 3, 2003, AND ON THE THIRD DAY WE HAD THE MESSIANIC SERVICE
WELCOME:
Shalom! Let us look unto Yeshua/Jesus and Worship Him In Spirit and Truth.
WORSHIP:
TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE
To Him who sits on the throne
And unto the Lamb
To Him who sits on the throne
And unto the Lamb
Be blessing and glory and honor
and power forever
Be blessing and glory and honor
and power forever
GREETING:
Please, take this time now to contact your Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus to let them know how much they mean to you, straighten out any past disagreements or ask what you could pray about for them.
PRAYER:
Lord, We come to You and ask that You would have Your Way with us in every aspect of our lives, so that we can "go," "do," and "be" All that You have created us for. Speak to our hearts and lives now In the Name of Yeshua/Jesus. Amen.
THE WORD:
IN that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.
And in that day, says the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will remove from the land the false prophets and the unclean spirit.
- Zechariah 13:1, 2
Forgotten any idols lately? Even though G-d is Perfect In Every Way I Am most grateful that He takes my sins and casts them as far as the east is to the west into His Sea of Forgetfulness where they will be "remembered" by Him NO MORE!
Whatever is repented of and confessed to G-d is cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb and we are found Holy and Blameless In His Sight. On the other hand (four fingers and a thumb as my brother-in-law used to say) I have chosen this portion of Scripture to show you that G-d Remembers! Zechariah is the Old Covenant Book of Revelation and the Prophet's Name means "G-d Remembers." Have you ever felt like He left you and that you were stuck in a situation all alone? Heaven Forbid!
Yeshua/Jesus has promised Never to Leave or Forsake us EVER and, because He Is G-d He Can Not lie. His Word Is Faithful and True! He Loves us so much that He would rather die in our stead (redeem us from the curse of sin and death), so that we might live. Nothing can separate us from the Love of G-d, NOTHING!
He has provided the Way out. Don't you think Noah and his family were nervous and worried in the ark and wondering if G-d had forgotten them? Well, He didn't, because G-d "REMEMBERED" Noah and since He Is No Respecter of Persons, How could He Forget YOU? You are His Love, His Friend, His Passion, His Heart's Desire, His Chosen Bride, the Pearl of Great Price and believe me the list goes on and on.
"There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood," is an old Hymn and it speaks of this fountain flowing from Immanuel's veins.
Immanuel means literally, "With Us Is G-d." Yeshua/Jesus came to Earth as Man and through the death of His Flesh on the Cross at Calvary He opened up the Way to Heaven, the Holy of Holies and the Throne Room of G-d for All of Us! IN that day, in that day is what this selection of Scripture tells us what G-d did for All of Human-Kind! IN Messiah YOU "are" cleansed from All sin and unrighteousness. G-d has not forgotten you! He sees you pure, clean, spotless, blameless, shameless and Holy.
Although Yeshua/Jesus exclaimed, "It Is Finished!" at the Cross, the story is not over yet. G-d will remove the false prophets (and I think we can all agree that there are still plenty on the scene today [not to mention the anti-christ who has yet to appear, but certainly will]) and the unclean spirit. Even King David cried unto the Lord saying, "Create In Me a Clean Heart O G-d and Renew a Right "Spirit" With-In Me!" Should we not daily ask the same?
G-d has not forgotten nor will He forget, because All of His Promises are YES and AMEN IN Yeshua/Jesus (the Living Word of G-d) and His Word Is TRUE! We are the ones who need to forget the past and press on to our High Calling IN Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One and look unto Yeshua/Jesus Who IS the Author and Finisher of our Faith! Don't ever have a day, an hour, a minute or a second where you forget G-d, because His Mind IS Stayed On YOU FOREVER! What He accomplished "IN that day" we should forever thank and praise Him For Into All Eternity! We're not talking "Remember the Alamo" here or "9-11, Never Forget," but ETERNITY, FOREVER! You may know Today that if you died you'd go to Heaven, but that is not the case for many (and I do mean many are in the valley of decision), so let each and every one of us do our part in the Great Commission. G-d Remembers, so let's not forget what He's done for us and Never Forget what His Plan and Purpose IS for having us (His Body) here on Earth!
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Jan 5, 2003,
Subject: experiencing God's awesome power
Invocation:
Heavenly Father thank You for another day to serve You. May You be glorified today as Your Word goes out and people's lives are changed. Amen.
Worship
He's the Savior of my soul
Isaiah 61:10, "My soul shall be joyful in my God."
He's the Savior of my soul, My Jesus,
My Jesus, He's the Savior of my soul, He's the Savior of my soul. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Jesus. He's the Savior of my soul, He's the; Savior of my soul.
Taken from Hymns for the family of God.
Message
Acts 3:1-3, "Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
It was custom for Jews to go to the temple to pray and seek the Lord's face.
It mattered not to Peter or to John that this was Jewish they were Jewish believers in Jesus holding fast to the teaching of Jesus who shed His blood so we could have life. Peter and John knew the law in fact to go to the Temple was something very important kinda like going to see your favorite sports team or restaurant would be the equivalent today to attending a service in the Temple. The Beautiful Gate was where most of the people who went in to worship went.
Peter and John were compassionate; they reached out to this man; pointing Him to Jesus who would heal them. Healing occurs today but not in the same form as in this case here. Many today go to the inner healing or other seminars but as Christians, we must fix our eyes on Jesus with open eyes and open hearts ready to hear and act on what God wants for us to do. As Christians; we must reach out to places that are not comfortable but at the same time go to the places where the hurting are not them come to us but us reach out with the love of Jesus, so that they can experience God's awesome power. Not only is this; they key to evangelism it is also the heart of God who reaches out to us through the Cross so that we can be made one with the Trinity.
Acts 3:4-8, "Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, Look
at us! The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter
said, I don't have any money for you. But I'll give you what I have. In
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk! Then Peter took the
lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man's feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them."
If we are to experience everyday the God who is at work within us then we must look to Jesus who reaches out to us.
There are so many who are hurting all around the world; who don't know the love of Jesus and we the people of God need to reach out to them in the Name of Jesus Christ; telling them that they now can have life through the Son who gives strength; to the weary and peace to the saints. Peter reached his hand in faith it was not Peter's doing in this man's healing, it was God doing an extraordinary thing in an extraordinary situation so that He would be glorified; believers united and salvation brought to the lost. Our God is not confined to the borders or restrictions we put Him in, and it is only as we move on in the faith in Jesus that you will understand that God wants to use you for a mighty work to glorify Himself.
Acts 3:9-11, "All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.
When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out to Solomon's Colonnade, where he was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Everyone stood there in awe of the wonderful thing that had happened." This man realized the power of God at work in his life and praised Him, which was only natural after what God did through Peter.
As we experience God's power at work in our lives; the more we ought to submit our lives, rules and even our agenda so as to experience the depth of God of His power and grace at work within us. There is a far greater issue here than this man's healing and that issue goes all the way to our hearts. God wants us to experience Him as we walk by faith not by sight setting our eyes on eternity on the God who has reached out to us through the Son who was nailed on the Cross, died and rose again on the third day. God wants us to experience wholeness to walk in holiness not in brokeness. If you today are hurting or maybe you felt a deep stirring in your heart don't let that go unanswered, for the Word of God echoes from the depths of your hearts don't let that echoing in your heart go unanswered and definitely do not let your soul go unattended. If you have areas that you need to deal with them work on them under the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit. We have a Helper who's very job it is to walk with us through the tough times and if someone has told you the Christian journey is easy; they are flat out lying. We, the People of God are on the front lines fighting for the souls of men and woman; little boys, and girls whom God has given free will to but at the same time wants them to come to repentance in Jesus. We fight a battle where Satan the prince of the air whispers into people's ears telling them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. This man's healing while it was extraordinary parallels our own because each of us have issues but this man choose to stand up to do something with His life and as a result many lives were touched. As we experience God's awesome power which is definitely at work within those who believe in Jesus Christ who have been born again by the Spirit of God; we have to stand back in awe and just throw down our agenda's to say look at this Jesus and what He has done. I have been in meetings where the Spirit just swept through and everyone was crying, and there have been times where the Spirit fell through and all everyone did was just fall down on there knees. It didn't matter what the people at those meetings did, but there response showed me that everyone is truly hungry not for more of material stuff but for something they can cling to; something they can call there own.
What do you call your own today? Do you worship your
job, or do you
worship your God? Peter had nothing to give this man and if we are truly honest as believers we have nothing to give either even if we have all the money in the world, climbing the corporate ladder in the grand scope of eternity is your life really making a difference? These Apostle's made a difference in this man's life by telling him that by faith in Jesus he could be healed; they reached out just as there Master did because they knew that God had reached out to them. The more we experience God's awesome power, and reflect on what He has done in our lives; we cannot fully put our arms, and even our minds around all that Christ has done since we first believed in His Name. All you have to do is reach out to Jesus; accept Him by faith its not an easy journey I assure you of that but it is the only journey; walking hand in hand in unison with Jesus that will satisfy the deep needs; the brokeneness that you have experienced in your own life and through Him your past can be what it is the past. I don't assume that everyone who reads this today believes in Jesus and if you don't know Jesus or maybe you are a point in your journey in your walk
with God where you just need to reevaluate where you are with Christ I want to encourage you right now. If what was writing here today struck a cord deep within you which God be praised if it did then I would like to say that all you have to do is Believe on the name of Jesus Christ for He wants to heal you of those deep hurts, and addictions and it is my prayer that as you walk by faith in Him this day You would know and experience the depth of God's power. If you accepted Him today as your Lord and Savior God be Praised. I would love to hear about your decision to follow Jesus, or even if you made a first time commitment to Christ. Please email me off all the Christian E fellowship group all questions, comments, and decisions. My email is [email protected]
Closing Song
Down at the Cross
Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live."
Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood applied glory to His name.
I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly Abides within; There at the Cross where He took me in; Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood applied glory to His name
O, precious fountain that saves from sin, I am so glad I have Entered in; There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood applied glory to His name
Come to this fountain so rich and sweet; Cast your poor soul at the Savior's feet; Plunge in today, and be made complete; Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood-applied glory to His name
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Teaching the Body of Christ the Word of God; reaching the Lost, mending the broken hearted. God's ultimate agenda is the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. What part are you playing in His Agenda?
WORSHIP:
GOD IS OUR REFUGE
God Is Our Refuge And God Is Our Strength A Very Present Help In Trouble
God Is Our Refuge And God Is Our Strength A Very Present Help In Trouble
Therefore will not we fear
Though the Earth be moved
And though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the seas.
THE WORD:
He must increase, but I must decrease - He must grow more prominent, I must grow less so. [Isa. 9:7.]
- John 3:30
With such Great Quotes as:
Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see - know, be acquainted with [and experience] - the kingdom of God.
- John 3:3
and:
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish - come to destruction, be lost - but have eternal (everlasting) life.
- John 3:16
It is few and far between that we hear of the crucified life, dying to "self," humbling ourselves before the Lord, so that He can lift us up and our growing less, so He can grow more prominent.
We're not talking 2+2= 4 here, because when we give to God (in any Way, shape or form) it is He Who brings the increase and not we ourselves. For some there is a 30 fold increase, 60, 100 or even 1,000 fold according to the Word of God (trust me, It's in there). Which of us is greatest in the Kingdom of God? He who is least and servant of All.
Positions, Titles, Degrees, Intellect, Physical Strength, Spiritual Height, Emotional Stature, Financial Standing, Sexual Preferences, Complete and Total Reliance of "Self" mean absolutely, positively NOTHING to God apart from Christ Jesus! John the Baptist, the Forerunner of the Messiah, the One Called of God to make straight paths for Him Whose Lovely Feet brought the Good News to All Nations and Peoples of the World was spoken of by Jesus to be Greatest In the Kingdom of Heaven and among those born of women!
Why? Because He fulfilled his calling in life and death. He was ready, willing and able to do whatever God required of him, whenever, however, where-ever, to whoever without ever asking, "Why?"
Let's face it, we are on a long hard journey, but The Good Shepherd has gone before us and promises to lead and guide us every step of the Way! The ups and downs in your Christian walk are not always caused by disobedience, but many times are just the mountaintop and valley experiences we must endure in order to complete our trek here on Earth before knocking on Heaven's Door. Some of us bask in the "Son" Light at the peaks and others get nose bleeds from the high altitudes, but the fruit is almost always borne in the valleys where the shadow of death looms over us trying to discourage us from pressing onward and upward!
Like Paul the Apostle it is not necessarily easy to "press" on to that Higher Calling In Christ Jesus, but It Is Forever and AlWays Worth It!
Such a Powerful Proclaimer of the Lamb of God was John, Jesus' cousin who baptised Him, saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Him "like" a dove and heard the Voice Of The Father Confirm, "This Is My Beloved Son!" He knew he was not worthy to handle the sandals Jesus Walked In and cared not about letting anyone and everyone know that.
What strength of character! Such Humility! He was a True Friend of the Bridegroom, saw His Face, heard His Voice, pointed his own disciples to Him and lost his life for the Truth The Word Of God Stood For.
REALITY CHECK:
Who am I In Jesus?
What am I doing to accomplish His Will?
Where does He want me to "be"?
When He speaks to me do I react?
Why do I Love Him, Serve Him?
I don't care who you are in this World, but you need Jesus. Are you really man, woman or Child of God enough to lay your life down, your own hopes, dreams and vision in order for Him to have His Will and Way with YOU and those He Will Bring YOUR Way? Are YOU willing to drink the cup that He drank? Can you walk In His Shoes? He Who comes from Heaven is far above All - far superior to all others in prominence and in excellence. Who Is Worthy open the seal In Heaven? None, but the Lamb of God Who was slain! He MUST Increase and Grow MORE Prominent In Each and Every One of Hearts, Minds and Lives!
WE (in spite of your position, title or standing in this World) MUST Decrease and Grow Less, So that the Son of God's Light can shine ever brighter In and Through YOU until the Full Light of Day!
Whatever or whoever you're holding on to apart from Christ Jesus, let it, him or her go. Lay your love down, your life down, your will down, your way down and give Him your All, because He Will Fill YOU, Anoint YOU, Empower YOU, Enable YOU, Use YOU and Fulfill YOU! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Jan 15, 2003, Subject:
PSALMS AND PROVERBS SERVICE:
DYING TO "SELF" SERIES DAVID & BATHSHEBA
WORSHIP:
ALL THAT I CAN DO
All that I can do is thank HIm
All that I can do is pray
All that I can do is lift my hands to sing His praise
When the Father sent His Son
To live with us our lives to mend
He placed His Love upon the altar
That with Him we might ascend.
Lord the blessed Life you give me
And the Holy road You choose
Lead me all the Way to Calvary
And I'll only follow You.
Lord I only want You Blessing
While I'm sitting at Your Feet
Nothing in this World can woo me
From Your Holy Seat.
THE WORD:
Psalm 51
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had sinned with Bathsheba.
Imagine penning a song or Psalm over every sinful situation in your daily life.
What I did for Love? What kind of fool am I? Repentance brings cleansing, healing, forgiveness and restoration to our souls.
Even as a Christian we are bound to trip up somewhere along our Spiritual journey, but when we are convinced of the Holy Spirit to do the right thing or that we have done wrong we MUST set our hearts and minds to the Will and Way of God, lean not on our own understanding and put our total Faith and Trust In Him! Dying to self can be most clearly revealed in Our Savior's plea to Our Heavenly Father, "Not My Will, but Thine Be Done!"
Our God Is A God Of Mercy, Steadfast Love, Tender Mercies and Loving-Kindness! Humble your "self" before Him and He Will Lift You Up!
Confessed sin is not only blotted out, but our transgressions against God and man are completely and totally forgotten by Him. As Believers In Jesus we are washed thoroughly and repeatedly, cleansed and "made" wholly (HOLY EVEN) pure from All sin, iniquity and guilt by The Blood Of The Lamb! When the Holy Spirit shines His Light in your darkness, places your sin before you and makes you conscious of your transgression then acknowledge it before Him, because He Is justified In His sentence and faultless In His judgement.
Each and every one of us was steeped in sin from birth, because of Adam's fall in the Garden, but In Wisdom Truth came to the Garden of our hearts, purified us, cleansed us ceremonially; washed us and in reality has made us whiter than snow.
Listen to the Joy and Gladness and be Satisfied that God has given you a clean heart, renewed a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within you. He Is Willing and Able to restore You to the Joy of Your Salvation!
This is the Good News! The Gospel of Jesus!
We MUST teach transgressors His Way, so that sinners will be converted and return to Him!
God's Righteousness is ours, so let us open our lips and mouth to show forth His Praises! Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice by dying in our stead, so that we and the rest of the World could have Eternal Life (The Abundant Life) In His Holy and Precious Name! The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent].
Our "self" MUST be crucified in order for His "SELF" to live and rule and reign in our hearts and minds by Christ Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God working In and Through Us! Let Him complete the Good Work He has begun In You by bringing down that which is not of Him and rebuilding the walls of the New Jerusalem, so that He Will Delight in the sacrifices of righteousness offered upon HIs Altar of Love.
When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only one in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba], He taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. [1 Chron. 28:9; Eph. 6:4.]
- Proverbs 4:3, 4
I leave you with this, Our God Is A Redeemer!
Although David and Bathsheba lost their first born child (and Our Heavenly Father Gave His One and Only Child for us) God blessed them afterwards with Solomon who built the first Temple (Jesus allowed the Temple of His Body to suffer death, so that we could overcome and have Life). As A Child Of The Father, What is He saying to YOU Today? Hold fast to His Word, keep HIs Commandments and Live!
YOU are oh, so precious In His Sight! Let Him teach you and speak to your heart Today. How precious is the death (dead to "self," but alive unto Him) of the Saints In His Sight, because He wants you so much to believe, receive and know experientially His Complete and Total Love. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Jan 14, 2003, Subject: OT SERVICE: HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN!
GREETING:
Dying to "self" is something none of us looks forward to or likes to do, but it is not "us" that we are seeking to put to rest only the "sin nature" within. This message is sure to speak to All Who Have The Breath of Life In Them, so please, IM, e-mail, phone or visit someone Today and share the Love of God and these words of Truth with them.
Now, Let's Worship the Lord For He Alone Is Worthy!
WORSHIP:
PASS IT ON
It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around can warm up in it's glowing. That's how it is with God's Love once you've experienced it You spread His Love to everyone
You want to pass It on.
What a wondrous time is Spring when all the trees are budding. The birds begin to sing; the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's Love
Once you've experienced It
You want to sing, It's Fresh Like Spring You want to pass It on
I wish for you my friend this happiness that I've found. You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound. I'll shout It From The Mountaintop
I want my World to Know, The Lord Of Love Has Come To Me. I want to pass It on.
I want my World to Know, The Lord Of Love Has Come To Me.
I want to pass It on.
PRAYER:
Father God In Jesus' Name We Come To You Now and Ask that You Touch Each and Every Person Receiving This Message With Your Love, Redemption, Healing and Restoration. Use Your Word Lord To Change Hearts, Minds, Souls and Circumstances Today. Amen.
THE WORD:
2 Samuel 11:1-12:14
What is the "soul" of a man, his caliber and to what heights can he rise? There is no pit so deep that God cannot go deeper still! This message is about King David "a man after God's own heart." Please, read the portion of Scripture from 2 Samuel before we move ahead, because we have a lot of ground to cover here in the all too familiar story of David and Bath-sheba and I hope to get to the heart of the matter at hand. That old expression, "The bigger they are the harder they fall," applies to anyone in a leadership position without a doubt, but we all need to guard our hearts and minds In Christ Jesus. Apart from the Cleansing Power In The Blood Of Jesus, His Grace and Mercy, we All are without hope in this present World and the World to Come! This is why we have to pray daily by Faith to quench the fiery darts of satan, because Every Day Is A Spiritual Battle for Your Soul and the Souls of Others!
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
- 1 Corinthians 10:12
This incident between David and Bathsheba didn't happen in a vacuum over night, but was the climax of twenty years of taking more concubines (2 Sam. 5:3; Deut. 17), multiplying horses to himself (Deut. 17:16), silver, gold and wives (Deut. 17:17). God warns us In His Word that through these things and others our hearts would turn away from Him. Anyone of us who call ourselves by the name, "Christian" or "Believer" MUST recognize that there is a price to pay of keeping our life right before God.
As leaders we are called to be servants of All and as Servants of the Most High God we are called to lead! It's lonely at the top and bottom; sometimes we are misunderstood, True Friends are few, but Jesus Never Leaves Or Forsakes Us, Ever!
When you least expect it you're elected.
You're the Star Today. Smile! You're on Candid Camera! Whether you are the slave girl, Hagar in the desert or King David on the roof top of your castle, God SEES! A look develops into a desire and then forms into action. Feeling lazy, off-duty or alone? Watch your thought life, because to quote the words of Nathan, "a traveller," needs to be satisfied. I've seen Preachers shout, "I'm Pregnant!" Meaning they are filled with an idea, a passion and are about to give birth to that thought, Word, deed or action. The Word of God clearly states that sin gives birth to death!
Some of us know all too well what the lack of discipline with the flesh (our sinful nature), slackness, leisure hours, unguarded moments and the perils of an indulgent life can do. Even Moses knew that the pleasure of sin was just for a season and gave up the riches of Egypt to serve the God of the slaves! David was over 50 at this time in his life and certainly was not immune from the attacks of the enemy. Paul the Apostle exhorts us All to buffet the Body and keep it in subjection to the Will and Way of God!
Whatever you sow, you reap! Are you sowing seeds of trouble that will yield a climax of disaster for you and innocent others? Maybe you're just embarking on such a journey or in an association of God's will, but your behaviour is not.
There is No Temptation given unto man that God does not provide the Way OUT!
The choice is yours as to whether you take that Way or not. Temptation will surely come to us All in many shapes, sizes and forms, but when we Lean On, Trust In and Rely On Jesus, He Saves Us!
If you stumble and fall, repent, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward In Him. He Is A Loving And Forgiving God! But, if you deliberately walk into a situation where the devil can trip you up, seek companionship where you are going to be tempted, you will suffer the consequences and have to
learn your lesson.
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."
- John 8:7
Bathsheba lost her husband, her first born child from David and he had constant problems within his family household due to this sin. If we confess our sin as David did in Psalm 51, then God will forgive us and cleanse us from All unrighteousness! Sin Always Brings Judgement, is dangerous and desperate, but it cannot quench the Love of God!
Though forgiven we reap what we sow, drink of the bitter cup, are restored to fellowship by God Who Uses His Rod and Staff to Comfort Us and are Given Favor.
His Mercies are renewed every morning!
"For whom the Lord Loveth He chasteneth."
- Hebrews 12:6
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."
- Psalm 34:19
The Lord brings us into the Refiner's Fire, our sins come before HIm and He skims them away, so that He might SEE His reflection In Us. Allow the Light Of His Countenance to Shine Upon YOU and let Him touch and heal you in the secret places of your heart, mind and soul.
Jesus makes us holy, restores the years that the locust have eaten and presents us "faultless before the throne" of Our Heavenly Father! Let Him break your heart, humble you, bring you to repentance and confession, so that we can "Be" Men, Women and Children Of God After His Own Heart! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Jan 12, 2003, Subject: ABLE TO WALK?
GREETING:
Welcome to our continuation in the Book of Acts 3:12-26. I hope you will All IM, e-mail, phone, write or visit someone in your Christian E-Fellowship Group Today! Let's All Worship the Lord!
Better Is One Day (Matt Redman)
:
How lovely is Your dwelling place,
Oh Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You.
For here my heart is satisfied,
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
One thing I ask and I would seek,
To see Your beauty.
To find You in the place Your glory dwells My heart and flesh cry out,
For You the living God
Your spirit's water for my soul.
I've tasted and I've seen,
Come once again to me,
I will draw near to You,
I will draw near to You.
PRAYER:
Father God, We come to You Today In the Name of Your Holy Child Jesus and ask In His Precious Name that you would teach us Your Will and Way, so that we can go forward to accomplish Your Purposes In Our Life and the lives of others. Amen.
THE WORD:
And Peter seeing it, answered the people, You men, Israelites, why are you so surprised and wondering at this? Why do you keep staring at us, as though by our [own individual] power or [active] piety we had made [this man able] to walk?
- Acts 3:12
What exactly is this "it" that the Apostle Peter is seeing here? The wonder and amazement (bewilderment, consternation) over this miraculous healing of the beggar at the Beautiful Gate. There is no gift or power of our own that brings Glory to God, but in this case Our Heavenly Father Honored the Name of His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus (spoken In Faith by Peter) and raised up, strengthened, steadied, allowed him to stand, walk, leap and Praise God! To God Alone Be All The Glory, Praise And Honor Due His Holy And Precious Name!
Still Today people around the World deny, reject and disown the Pure, Holy, Just and Blameless One Who Alone can Give them the Abundant Life here and now along with Salvation and Eternal Life In Jesus' Name! He Is the Source of Life - the Author - Whom God raised from the dead and we are witnesses to the fact! It Is The Name Of Jesus that made this man strong and gave him perfect soundness [of body] before them all. Jesus underwent ill treatment, was afflicted and suffered, so that when we repent, change our mind and purpose; turn around and return [to God], our sins are erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing may come from the Presence Of The Lord! The Son Has Come To Dwell In "OUR" Hearts! Listen to His Word, Will and Way! Be Obedient To His Call! Ever soul that does NOT heed the Prophet (Jesus) will be utterly eterminated from among the people according to The Word Of The Lord. [Deut. 18:15-19; Lev. 23:29.]
All of the Prophets from those of Samuel and those who came afterwards proclaimed these days!
We (my dear brothers and sisters In the Lord Jesus) are the sons and daughters of the prophets and heirs of the covenant.
All the families of the Earth are to be blessed and benefited by the Seed (Heir) of Abraham, the Seed of Faith, Christ The Lord! [Gen. 22:18; cf. Gal. 3:16.]
It was to you first that God sent His Servant and Son Jesus, when He raised Him up (provided, gave Him) to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness and evil ways.
- Acts 3:26
Let Each and Every One of Us Go Forward In Jesus by Faith In His Name To Proclaim the Good News Of Salvation and Love Of God To All Nations and Peoples, so that they can be raised up, strong, steady, stand, walk, leap, Praise God and turn others from wickedness and evil. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Righs Reserved.
Date: Fri, Jan 10, 2003, Subject: ALL THE BLOOD OF THE RIGHTEOUS
GREETING:
Shalom My Dear Brothers and Sisters In the Lord G-d! Let us enter His Gates with Thanksgiving in our hearts and His Courts with Praise! This Is the Day the Lord has made, so Rejoice In It (and Him) and be Glad! E-mail, IM, call, write or visit someone today with the Love of G-d He has shed abroad in our hearts and minds In Christ / Messiah Jesus / Yeshua and let us Worship Him In Spirit and Truth!
WORSHIP:
I WILL ENTER HIS GATES
I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving In My Heart, I will enter His Courts with Praise
I will say this is the Day that the Lord has made, I will Rejoice for He has made me Glad.
He has made me Glad
He has made me Glad
I will Rejoice for He has made me Glad.
He has made me Glad
He has made me Glad
I will Rejoice for He has made me Glad.
PRAYER:
Father G-d, I ask that on this Sabbath Day we would enter into Your Rest, Your Peace, Your Fulness, Your Satisfaction and that you would Fill us with Your Love, Your Vision, Your Purpose and Your Passion as we enter into Your Word, Will and Way. Speak to us and anoint each and every one of us to speak Your Heart and Soul to others In Jesus' /
Yeshua's Precious and Holy Name.
Amen.
THE WORD:
Because of this, take notice, I am sending you prophets and wise men (interpreters and teachers) and scribes (men learned in the Mosaic Law and the prophets); some of them you will kill, even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues, and persue and persecute from town to town,
So that upon your heads may come all the blood of the righteous [those who correspond to the divine standard of right] shed on the earth from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar [of burnt offering]. [Gen. 4:8; 2 Chron. 24:21.]
- Matthew 23:34, 35
These are the Words of Jesus / Yeshua spoken to the scribes and Pharisees, pretenders - hypocrites! Know any?
Judge not lest you be judged, but let us look to the mirror and see what the Lord requires of each and every single "one" of us. "Self" examination is good, because let's face it if not for Jesus / Yeshua our "self" is in pretty bad shape.
Notice how He is speaking to a group of people who really had nothing to do with the crimes committed, but as a "Nation" they were under G-d's Judgement.
We are a "Royal Priesthood" and a "Holy Nation" In the Eyes of G-d Today according to NEW TESTAMENT teachings! All of mankind came from the loins of Adam and after Noah's Flood (when every living creature was destroyed off the face of the Earth) each of us comes from either Shem, Ham or Japheth. Shem is the Nation of Israel, Ham of Egypt (understand that it was the Land of Ham that held Israel captive before Moses came along) and Japheth (who happened to be Noah's first born son), so if your searching for the roots to your family tree this should definitely get you started. According to the Word of G-d, Those who are Born of G-d by Faith are Children of Abraham, The Father of Faith! Now, let me get to my point. Life is in the blood! Since the beginning of time as we know it blood has been shed and some Day soon G-d's Judgement will fall.
Since the 1970's over 400,000,000 babies have been aborted LEGALLY here in the USA. That's Right! FOUR HUNDRED MILLION SOULS knit together in their Mother's wombs by the hand of G-d Himself were literally "cut" short before their time. Innocent lives caught in circumstances they had nothing to do with and no control over.
Murder is bad enough, but the cold, calculated, cruel, planned death of the most purest form of life is beyond the worst of horror movies or our worst fears, because it is True and a regular fact of "life" in this great, big, beautiful World we live in. Phil Keaggy sings, "Who will speak up for the little ones?
Helpless and half abandoned. They have a right to choose Life they don't want to lose. I've got to speak up won't you?" I have always said that G-d is a G-d of CHOICE, but He Is A Righteous G-d and therefore will Judge those who do not "Choose Wisely." We as the Body of Christ / Messiah Jesus / Yeshua MUST pray and do whatever we can to bring "LIFE," ETERNAL LIFE to the forefront of our present existence!
Please, to any one who has had any part in any abortion understand that this is not written in any way to single you out or bring more pain into your life.
Unfortunately too many of us have brought death to others in all too many ways and situations throughout our lives (including our "Christian / Messianic Way" of Life). We are to bring the Essence of Christ / Messiah Jesus / Yeshua wherever we go and my hope and prayer is that we would bring others unto Life In His Name and death to the old "self" and sinful nature. Every unborn child is in the loving arms of Jesus / Yeshua just as all who have died In Him have His Word, Promise and Hope of Resurrection and some Day soon we will all (those who have put their complete Faith, Hope and Trust In HIm, Rely On Him, Lean On Him) be with Him Forever In Love, In Heaven, On Earth, In The New Jerusalem, Perfect, Pure, Holy and Blameless, because The Blood Of The Lamb Of G-d has cleansed us from All sin and unrighteousness! His Blood Cries Out Before G-d's Throne Of Grace And Mercy on our behalf!
All of us need forgiveness, G-d's Mercy, the Cleansing Blood to be applied to our hearts and lives if for no other reason, but that we are born sinners and only in Jesus / Yeshua, The Name Above All Names we MUST be saved! I don't care if you had a bad thought, said a hurtful or harmful thing, looked at someone the wrong Way, physically abused somebody, spiritually showed the "sign of the double-cross," broke someones heart, robbed, stole or destroyed property, sexually mistreated another or are just completely and totally the best person who ever set foot on planet Earth, You Need Jesus /Yeshua Today and Every Day of your Life to bring the ultimate Healing to your heart and soul, forgiveness of your sin! Life is In the Blood! Apply it to your Life and bring it to the lives of others around the World!
PRAYER:
Lord, Only You can touch our hearts and change our lives, so that we can be cleansed and purified to have communion and fellowship In You, so please, bring healing of mind, soul, spirit and give us the strength to go, do and be all that you have given us this life for In Your Holy and Most Precious Name. Amen.
One Drop of Jesus' /Yeshua's Blood will cleanse the vilest of sinners always and forever!
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012 All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Jan 9, 2003, Subject: OUR GLORY BEGINS AND ENDS WITH GOD
WORSHIP:
God Will Make A Way (Don Moen)
God will make a way, when there seems to be no way.
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side.
With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me.
Rivers in the desert will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade,
But His Word will still remain.
He will do something new today.
THE WORD:
But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God; [that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [that is, to lift us into the glory of His presence].
- 1 Corinthians 2:7
Although God never changes He is forever doing something new in and through us to melt and mold us into His Image and Likeness. That old song, "I my Life Lord, Be Glorified Today," should be something that we "allow" Him to do, because His desire is to lift us up into Him, so that we manifest His Love to All!
Paul Simon sang, "God makes His plans.
His information is unavailable to the mortal man," but thanks be to God His Perfect Will and Way "Is" Revealed to us in and through His Holy Word, The Bible.
Everything and anything worthwhile in this life begins and ends with Jesus. He Is the First and Last, the Alpha and Omega! The Revelation of God Is Jesus In All of His Glory! The Wonder and beauty of Him and all that He has done on our behalf. He was lifted up upon that tree to die for sinners, you and me. We "have" Eternal Life In His Name and therefore are Called of God to go forward In HIm to accomplish His Will and Way.
What a treasure He has given us! Such things to discover! The Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding of God!
All things are held together and found In Jesus!
When I set out to prepare a message it is not for the expressed purpose to entertain or to seek the approval of my fellow man, but to bring forth the things of God as revealed to me In His Word (living, spoken and written). Should I be able to impress any of you with my own words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom I would surely play the fool, but my prayer and hearts desire is to give you Jesus In All His Splendor and Glory!
This Is God's Desire, Will and Way. That we might enter into His Holy Presence and be so filled with Him and All that He Is that we would be elevated In Jesus.
The Word of God tells us as we lift Jesus up God will draw All men (meaning all of mankind) unto HIm, so that should be our hearts cry. Dear God, Give me Jesus, so that I may give Him to others! That Scripture verse about no eye seeing or ear hearing what God has prepared for us? I have Good News for you! He has revealed His Wisdom and Understanding to the Church, His Body, you and me!
The counsels and purposes of the Lord, His Knowledge, the Mind of Christ, thoughts, feelings and purposes of His Heart "are" ours In Jesus! We should be in the Word, prayer, communion and fellowship with Him daily in order for our lives to be fulfilled In Him!
The wisdom of this World is foolishness in the Eyes of God, but His Wisdom in our lives, in this present World we live in can change the course of human history and it is our "job" to reach this generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing lasts except the Grace of God and what we do In Him, Through Him and To Him! I challenge you to turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full In His Wonderful Face. Get into Him and "allow" (it's our free will to choose or reject His Perfect Will and Way for our own lives) Jesus to fully get into you. Lift up His Holy and Precious Name and you will be lifted up Into the Glory of His Presence and Shine! He wants us to be that city on a hill, the City of God, the New Jerusalem on His Holy Mountain to shine the Light of Light Into the hearts and minds of mortal, so that they may come to Know Him and Receive Eternal Life In Jesus' Name!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012 All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Jan 8, 2003, Subject: NO ACCIDENTS HERE / GROWING THE COMMUNITY OF GOD
WORSHIP:
LIFT HIGH THE BANNERS OF LOVE
Bringing our captives to Freedom
In the Name of Yeshua Our King.
Lift high the banners of Love.
Hallelujah!
Sound the trumpets of war.
Fighting God's battle to Victory.
Hallelujah!
Jericho must fall.
Brothers are you sure of your Calling?
Are you preparing this battle to lay down your Life for The King?
THE WORD:
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being formed in secret and intricately and curiously wrought (as if embroidered with various colors) in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].
Your eyes saw my unformed subtance, and in Your book all the days of my life were written, before ever they took shape, when as yet there were none of them.
- Psalm 139:15, 16
He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who gives a right answer.
- Proverbs 24:26
Do you know (experiencially) the reverential fear of the Lord? He Is Worthy of All Glory and Honor due His Holy and Precious Name! Wonderful are His Works and We are Created In His Image! Does your Spirit man (your inner self) know the splendor of the Lord Jesus?
Speak forth the things of God and Praise Him for Who He Is and what He has done for us all!
Nothing at all is hidden from Him. Not only has He given us life from conception in the womb, but In Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son we receive Eternal Life.
Each and Every One of us as an individual is knit together, formed In His Image, framed out and built up into Him as the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Living God, The Church, The Bride and Ambassadors for Christ here on Earth.
God has a blue print, a plan and purpose for each one of our lives and when we get still, sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Words of Life He speaks to our hearts and minds His Will and Way. It is no secret what God can do and what He's done for others He'll do for you. Let Him whisper in your ear something you can shout from the house tops! Whatever it is you are curious about He will give you the most intricate details while in your secret and quiet, place and time with Him.
"Deep calls to deep," the Word of God tells us.
Even in the depths of darkness God speaks Light to the human heart and reveals the mystery of Life and Love In Jesus. When Paul the Apostle spoke of marriage he proclaimed, "I speak to you a "mystery" of Christ and the Church!" The Bride Groom and the Bride! Jesus Loves the Church (we're not talking brick and mortar here, but the flesh and [Blood bought] Body of Christ here on Earth, YOU and me)! He is the Head and we are His Body, His Hands, His Feet and His Voice to speak out and proclaim to All Nations and Peoples that We Have Life (ETERNAL LIFE) In Jesus! The eyes of the Lord are ever watching us and loving us.
He sees it all and knows it all! Each of us is shaped to conform to His Image and Likeness!
God has dealt to us each a portion of Faith in order for us to live our lives unto Him (In other words: God has put His Faith In Us in order for us to be "ABLE" to Go, Do and "Be" All that He has Commanded of us in His Word!). His thoughts towards us are precious and "weighty" according to His Word. They are "REAL" and of a substance in the spirit realm that touches the soul. If you could count every star in the heavens or every grain of sand on the shores all the days of your life you could not fathom the vast sum of God's Loving thoughts directed towards you.
Want to be upright (in a rightstanding / righteous relationship) with God? Rebuke the wicked and all will be well, you'll find delight and God's blessing will rest upon you. Resist the devil and he "must" flee from you, but I'm not saying, rebuke everyone you know who disagrees with you or the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
Sometimes I think we'd all be better off if we took care of the log that is in our own eye and lovingly helped our wayword Brothers and Sisters In the Lord out with the splinter in theirs. I'm talking "self examination" here and not condemnation! We are Called to Love our enemies into Heaven just as Jesus lovingly captured all of our affections by His laying down His Life for us, so that we could have the Abundant Life In His Name! Putting first things first by breaking up the fallowed ground, seeking first the Kingdom of God, His Righteousness, His Peace (Jesus Is Our Peace) and His Joy (the Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength) In the Holy Ghost. Examine yourself, make yourself ready and then LOOK! Unto the fields which are ripe and ready for the harvest. Build up yourself In the Holy Spirit of God and then Go Forward In Jesus' Name, allow Him to work In and Through YOU to Build up the House of God and Establish Our One True Home. Where your heart is there your treasure will be. God has given us His Heart In Jesus.
We are the "Pearl of Great Price," but the necklace has yet to be completed and placed around the brides neck, so that she can be adorned and presented to the Husband of Her Soul, Holy and Blameless In His Sight! Allow God to touch your lips and anoint them with the Words that He would have you speak to the hearts and lives of others. Beautiful Bride of Christ, Go out and win the hearts of men!
Speak the Truth In Love and be ready to give a right answer to everyone and anyone who has questions of the Way, Truth or Life. Jesus Is the Answer for the World Today! Above Him there's no other. Jesus Is the Way!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Jan 7, 2003, Subject:
COVENANT OF LOVE
The Lord inhabits the Praises of His People, so let Us Worship Him In Spirit and Truth. Come Holy Spirit and Let Your Fire Fall! Fill Our Hearts Lord with Your Presence, Life and Love!
WORSHIP:
COME AND FILL THIS TEMPLE
There's a place of unity
A place for fellowship
There's a place where people come together There's a Spirit of the Holy One
That binds our hearts as One
And we're filled afresh with Holy Love
Come O Come and Fill This Temple
With the Glory of the Lord
Come O Come and Fill This Temple
With the Glory of the Lord
So we wave with open arms
We're hungry for Your Touch
And We Worship In The Name Of Jesus
Oh Live In Us for Greeting You
And Warm Our Hearts within
With A Fire and Heat of Pentecost
WELCOME:
Greet your Brothers and Sisters In the Love of Jesus. Offer up yourself to serve them and uplift them in your prayers. Contact them today by e-mail, IM, telephone or visit.
PRAYER:
Father, You have Bestowed Your Love Upon Us and We Thank You for All You Are. Teach Us and Grow Us Up In Your Beloved Son Jesus, so that we can "Be" Mature Christians and Walk In Your Will, Way and Most of All Your Love In Jesus' Name. Amen.
THE WORD:
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own life.
And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his armor, even to his sword, his bow, and his girdle.
- 1 Samuel 18:3, 4
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, And the Lord will require that this covenant be kept at the hand of David's enemies.
And Jonathan told David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and yours forever. And Jonathan arose and departed into the city.
- 1 Samuel 20:16, 42
There are no words that can allow me to communicate to you the Love that God has for Us. Each and Every Member here is Precious In His Sight and we are most valuable to each other, because although we are many parts, we are One Body.
Please, allow God's Holy Spirit to speak to your hearts and minds as I attempt to shine my candle into the Light beyond Light.
Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life.
He delighted much in David and spoke good of David to his father. While they were still alive they showed each other the loving-kindness of the Lord and vowed not to cut off that kindness from their houses forever. Before David went to Nob they kissed one another, and wept with one another. Theirs was a love greater than a man's for a woman or a woman's for a man, but a Holy Love of God and for God! Do you know this Love? It's an intimate, personal, respectful, caring, sharing, giving, hoping, enduring, joyful, happy, fulfilling, breathtaking and passionate Love that God pours into our hearts and lives as we rest In Him and submit to His Perfect Will and Way.
The Word of God tells us that we were All "knit" together in our Mother's womb, Created In the Image of God, that we "ARE ONE" with the Father In Christ Jesus through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit working In and Through Us All!
In marriage the husband is to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife.
The two become "ONE" flesh and we are not talking about being "stuck" together here, but joined together in a perfect union to commune and fellowship with each other and God. A three fold cord is not easily broken yet unfortunately even for Christians it does break, but True Love, God's Love Never Gives Up, Never Loses Faith, Is Always Hopeful and Endures Forever. God Is Faithful and Jesus Never Fails! Jonathan and David had Real Love, God's Love, Brotherly Love and their souls were "One" in the things of God and for each other Forever!
They covenanted with one another, joined in a pact, agreed to give their all and wanted nothing but the best to be for both of them. Jonathan is a type of Jesus in this story of God's Love for His Fellow Man. Jesus Loves us as He Loved His Own Life, so much so that He gave up Heaven to come to Earth, gave His Life, so that we could have Eternal Life In His Name and if our whole household Believes on Him, Trusts In Him, Relies On Him and Puts Their Faith In Him then His Loving-Kindness Will Follow Us ALL the days of our Life In Him right Into ALL Eternity! He stripped Himself of Heavens Glory, placed the robe of His Righteousness Upon Us, has given us the Full Armor of God, even the Word of God (the Sword of the Spirit), His bow (notice there is no mention of arrows as with the rider on the white horse in the Book of Revelation Who rode forth with a crown conquering and to conquer. [Zech. 1:8; 6:1-3; Ps.45:4, 5.] - Revelation 6:2), and His girdle - having tightened the belt of His Truth around our loins. Let me not forget to point out that Jesus like Jonathan arose and departed to the city, but Jesus arose from the grave conquering sin and death, is now seated at the right hand of God Our Heavenly Father and is preparing the City of God for us, The New Jerusalem that will come down from God out of Heaven and we will live Forever with Him In Light and Love as "ONE" In Our Heavenly Bodies, Soul and His Holy Spirit!
And David went out and he prospered and behaved himself wisely; was set over the men of war, and it was satisfactory to the people and to the servants. We are the Body of Christ Jesus and the Representation of Him here on Earth, Called of God to Go Out and Prosper In His Name, to "Be" "WISE" as serpents, but gentle as doves, wrestling not agaist flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the Heavnely realms and to satisfy the souls of All Nations and Peoples by bringing them into a right relationship of Love with God the Father through Jesus the Son by the Power of His Holy Spirit working In and Through Each and Every One of Us Who Call Themselves "Christians!" Without Faith it is Impossible to please God, Hope is the Vision of God's Will and Way being fulfilled in our lives and in the lives of every human being on the face of this planet we call Earth, because God wishes that NONE would perish, so that ALL would come to repentance, but the greatest and I do mean the GREATEST of ALL IS LOVE!
Make a covenant with God Today and with your fellow man to Love Him with All your heart, mind, soul, spirit and strength and to Love your neighbor as yourself. Not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit says the Lord In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Mark
Copyright 2003-2012 All Rights Reserved.
Please, feel free to distribute this message to any and every one you know, because Love Never fails and Conqueres ALL!
Date: Tue, Feb 4, 2003, Subject: OT MESSAGE: NAMES AND NUMBERS
WORSHIP:
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here Among you Among you Among you Among you
Among you Among you Among you Among you
The blind see, the deaf hear,
The lame men are walking, sickness must flea at His voice The dead live again and the poor hear the good news Messiah is King so rejoice!
THE WORD:
And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called him Moses, for she said, Because him out of the water.
- Exodus 2:10
Out of the "Sea of Humanity" Moses was chosen of God to bring deliverance to His People, but he is just a "type" of Messiah, because God told Moses and the Nation of Israel that He would raise up A Prophet from among the brethren, like Moses, will put His Words in His Mouth; and He shall speak to them all that God Commands. And whoever doesn't hearken to God's Words which He shall speak In His Name, God Himself will require it of him. God has given us His Word and His Name, He has spoken to us in these last days through His Son, Jesus and every Believer is called of God (by name) to go forward In His Will and Way! God knit you together in your mother's womb and knows all your days.
Moses was born into this World when every male of the Israelites was being killed at birth by order of Pharaoh. His parents saw that he was no ordinary child, that he was exceedingly beautiful, so they hid him for 3 months and finally by Faith launched him by ark into the Nile, but on the providence of God. His family expected that God would do something worthy of Himself, because of His Faithfulness and as The Great Redeemer He had the daughter of their greatest foe become the babe's patroness.
Each of us should have a story to tell about how the Holy Spirit of God led us to Jesus and the Place we are Today In Him. I understand that every one of us is an individual with hopes, dreams and visions, but this World is all too often unkind and impersonal. My desire and goal is to reach as many people with the Love of God and the Good News of Jesus as possible, not for the sake of tallying up names and numbers, but for His Name Sake and to bring lost souls into the Kingdom of God! Just as we are adopted into the Family of God, Moses was brought into the household of Pharaoh, but I want you to notice one thing here Today. There is no mention what-so-ever of the name that Amram and Jochebed originally gave their beloved son.
However it is clear that God approved of the name Pharaoh's daughter gave the child, because on several occasions when calling him He repeated it by saying, "Moses, Moses!" Do you know what your name means? Mine means Prayer Warrior of God. My daughter's name is Aisha which is African for "Life."
I've only known one person in my life who legally changed their name from Helen to Danielle, but let's just think about this for a minute. God numbers All the stars and calls them each by name, His thoughts towards us are more than the number of grains of sand on the shores throughout All the Earth and every hair of our head is numbered as well, so I'd say, He Has His Eye On Us.
Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, Solomon's name was not originally that, Moses changed Joshua's first name and then there's Daniel along with his 3 friends, Joseph in Egypt, Benjamin, Simon (the reed swaying in the wind) to Peter (Petra, The Rock), James and John (the son's of thunder [Remember how their father freaked out on them when they left their fishing boat to follow Jesus?] who wanted to rain down thunder and lightning upon those in unbelief), Barabbas (son of the father who was released, so that the True Son of Our Heavenly Father could die in our stead), Onesimus who was once unprofitable became profitable and the list goes on and on throughout the Scriptures and in our lives Today!
YOU are NOT just a name or number here, but a Chosen Vessel of God Fit for His Use, Valuable and Priceless In the Kingdom of God, Baptized into the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit! The Name Above All Names Lives, Moves and Has His Being In YOU! Offer up yourself to Him Today and allow Him to fulfill His Purposes In and Through YOU, because Every Gift and Every Talent Given Us is to be used for His Glory, Honor and Praise!
You are no ordinary child, but a Child of God and You Are Precious In His Sight!
He will watch over you, have no fear of consequences, only that God will do something worthy of Himself, because He Is Faithful, True and God amply rewards those who diligently seek Him, His Will and Way according to His Holy Word In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Date: Wed, Feb 5, 2003, Subject: PSALMS & PROVERBS: Lasting Forever & Community Matters
WORSHIP:
EARTHEN VESSELS
We have this treasure
Not made of gold
In earthen vessels wealth untold
One treasure only the Lord Yeshua
In earthen vessels
Light shall shine out of darkness
God will shine in our hearts
With the light of His glory in Yeshua
We hold this treasure
And so do not lose heart
The light yet shining in the dark
His holy presence
His unfailing love
In earthen vessels
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The shining light of Yeshua
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
In earthen vessels
..........
THE WORD:
The counsel of the Lord stands for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.
- Psalm 33:11
He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
- Proverbs 28:23
At a time in human history when nation rises against nation with wars and rumors of wars it is a comfort to know that God Is Still On His Throne And Prayer Changes Things! His thoughts are not our thoughts and His Way is not alWays our way, but the Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the people to no effect.
As God's Chosen People, His heritage, we "are" blessed - happy, fortunate [to be envied] - the nation whose God is the Lord. A Faithful man, woman or child shall abound with blessing; but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not be unpunished. Wealth [not earned] but won in haste, or unjustly, or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use, [such as] will dwindle away; but he who gathers little by little will increase them. An inheritance hastily gotten [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning, in the end will not be blessed.
[Prov. 28:20; Hab. 2:6.] Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, That is no sin, he is in the same class as [an open, lawless robber and] a destroyer.
Wealth is not necessarily financial gain and robbing someone doesn't mean you obtained something from them illegally.
Trying to gain power, titles and positions before God's timing, stealing someone's joy or peace is a violation against mankind and God Himself! We find favor, God's Grace when we are obedient to His Word, Will and Way. Speaking the Truth In Love, In Mercy and walking humbly with Our God is what He requires of us, so let us go forward In Jesus doing those things that matter for All Eternity which will build up the Community of the Saints and Glorify Our Lord and Savior! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2003, Subject: NT MESSAGE: SEEKING GOD
WORSHIP:
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
And His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
And His love endures forever.
He is good, He is good,
And His love will forever endure
We will bless His name as we all proclaim His love endures forever.
He made the moon and e stars at night
And His love endures forever
With outstretched arm and by His might
And His love endures forever.
Adonai, Adonai, Baruch Ha Shem Adonai
Adonai Melech, Adonai Melech, Adonai Yeshuatenu.
THE WORD:
And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation - their settlements, lands and abodes; So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.
- Acts 17:26, 27
God Himself gives life and breath and all things to all [people]. He gives spirit to those who walk in it, has called you for a righteous purpose and in righteousness; taken you by the hand and kept you; given you a covenant for a light to the nations; to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison. [Matt. 12:18-21.]
Although these Scriptures apply to Jesus as Messiah He says, "As the Father has sent Me, so I Am sending YOU!" For In HIm we Live and Move and Have Our Being; For we are His Offspring as born-again Believers In Jesus!
Each of us are created in the image of God and science Today proves that we all came from one human being. Out of the first Adam God created Eve, the Mother of All, God Is Our Source and Life Is In the Blood! The second Adam, Jesus shed His Precious Blood on the Cross at Calvary to redeem all of mankind and bring us back into a right relationship with Our Heavenly Father. He is the first-born from the dead unto Eternal Life and All Who Believe On Him enter into redemption and the promise of Resurrection In His Holy Name! Through DNA testing scientists have been able to trace the origins of mankind, how they inhabited and populated the World.
What is our primary purpose in Life? To seek God in Hope, feel after Him and find Him! Thou shalt Love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul, spirit and strength and Thou shalt Love thy neighbor as thyself are the two greatest commandments. Seek and you shall find.
Knock and the Door shall be opened unto you! God Is Calling each and every one of us into a closer walk and relationship with Him. He wants us to go out In His Name to seek and save those who are lost in a sick and dying World! People are mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, sexually and some completely bankrupt. God wants to fill them with His Holy Spirit, His Love, His Peace, His Fulness, His Blessings and His Joy, so that they are totally satisfied In Him. Only In God is our soul at rest!
When God saw that mankind had become so evil, corrupt and wicked He brought the flood and destroyed everything that had breath on this Earth except for Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives.
Shem, Ham and Japheth then repopulated the Earth as we know it Today! Are you seeking after God Today?
Are you Hoping and Feeling after Him until you find Him? My God shall supply your every need according to His riches in Glory. He has set allotted periods of time, fixed boundaries, settlements, lands and abodes for each of us, so let us be found seeking after Him for All He Is To Us In Jesus' Name according to His Word, Will and Way! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Feb 7, 2003, 7:03pm Subject:
MESSIANIC MESSAGE: JESUS' SUFFERING TO SATISFY THE JUSTICE OF GOD
WORSHIP:
THE LORD IS COME
The Lord is come in glory and power
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name The Lord is come, Hosanna, Hosanna
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name
The Lord is come in glory and power
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name The Lord is come, Hosanna, Hosanna
The Lord is come sing praise to His name
The Lord is come in glory and power
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name The Lord is come, Hosanna, Hosanna
The Lord is come, sing praise to His name
For the Lord has come to Zion
He will dwell in the midst of our praise We will magnify and exalt Him
Lift Him up for all to see
THE WORD:
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.
- Isa. 53:10
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ / Messiah died for our sins according to the scriptures.
- 1 Cor. 15:3
2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20
No deceit was found in His Mouth, He had done no violence, but He was assigned a grave with the wicked. He took our guilt [with their consequences], iniquities, made us righteous, justified and is satisfied in the salvation of our souls! It was G-d's Will For Jesus / Yeshua to become sin on the Cross In Our Stead, so that by Faith In Him we should become spiritual offspring of His!
If we hold fast to the Truths of G-d's Holy Word, His Precious Will for our Life and His Way In Jesus / Yeshua Christ / Messiah we are Saved In Receiving Messiah / Christ, the Anointed One! He rose again from the dead, so that we could live the Abundant Life In His Name!
G-d makes HIs Appeal to the World through us as His Ambassadors to reconcile them to Him. Receive not G-d's Grace, His Merciful Kindness in vain, but strengthen one another while it is still called Today to fulfill His Purposes for your Life In Jesus / Yeshua!
Each and Every One of us is Called to the Crucified Life and to live unto G-d as Jesus / Yeshua did on this Earth. Dead to the World and Alive Unto Him, so that Christ / Messiah Lives In Us, Moves In Us and has His Being In Us By Faith!
According to the Scriptures Messiah / Christ did not die groundlessly and to no purpose and in vain. - His death was then wholly superfluous, Holy for our sakes, so let us not let Him down. Receive the Word delivered unto you, believe it, act upon it, so that you can be a blessing to others and be blessed yourself in Jesus' / Yeshua's Name. Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/simplechurchfellowship
and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of G-d / G-d of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, Subject: ACTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS: ACTS 4:31
WORSHIP:
HOLY HOLY
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Holy, holy, holy, holy
Gracious Father, gracious Father
We're so glad to be your children
Gracious Father
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Gracious Father, gracious Father
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus
We're so glad that you've redeemed us,
Precious Jesus
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit
We're so glad that you have filled us
Holy Spirit
As we lift our hearts before you
As a token of our love
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.
Holy, Holy...
THE WORD:
And when they had prayed, the place in which they had assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.
- Acts 4:31
Need I say more (of course you know I will :)? I Know that God Is With US! He Is Faithful and True, so let us give Him All the Glory, Praise, Worship and Honor due His Holy and Most Precious Name for what He Is Doing Here Among US! We have Freedom In Jesus here to speak forth the things of God as the Lord lays them on our hearts and as iron sharpens iron we can reason together in His Holy Spirit of Love and Humility while we seek His Will and Way Together According to His Word. This "Place" God has brought us to is provided by Him, for us, so that we can commune and fellowship with each other and Him, come together in The Unity of His Holy Spirit and Purpose to Edify each other In Jesus and GO into All the World with the Good News! Are you praying daily? Have you asked God to "move" you, to shake you? We can shake off the dust from our feet and move along our merry way quite easily on our own, but it is the inner workings of God's Holy Spirit and His Word that cleanses us from All sin and unrighteousness and moves us ahead In Him, His Perfect and Acceptable Will for our Life In Jesus and His Way. Give your life over to Him completely and totally, so that you can Experientially Know The Abundant Life In Christ that He has Promised you In His Holy Word.
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit of God? He who has the Son has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life. Christ In YOU Is the Hope of Glory! The Word of God commands us to Be Filled (and to continually be being filled) with The Holy Spirit! This is not a once a lifetime deal we're talking about here, but as He prepares His Table before us in the presence of our enemies our cups are to be overflowing! Can you drink of this cup? Are you pouring your Life In Christ out as a drink offering unto Him as the Apostle Paul did and countless others throughout the ages?
Jesus says, "My Word Is Spirit and my Word Is Life!" and He calls each and every one of us to speak forth His Word to the World in which we live, move and have our being. He who the Son sets Free Is Free Indeed and if you are a Believer In Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you have Freedom to "go", "do" and "be" All that He has called you to. As an individual and as a Member In The Body Of Christ Jesus each of us is called upon to do our part In Jesus' Name to bring His Love to All Nations and Peoples!
"Be of strong courage!" God told Joshua (a form of Yeshua / Jesus which means, God Is Our Salvation) and He is telling All Believers Everywhere the same thing Today! He Is With US! He said He'll Never Ever leave or forsake us, so be Bold In The Lord and in The Power of His Might!
Put on the Full Armor of God! Pray In The Spirit! Fight The Good Fight Of Faith!
And when they had prayed! Such simple words, yet oh so powerful when applied to our everyday lives and activities. What we do in the flesh amounts to nothing in The Light of Eternity and is fruitless, but what is done In The Spirit will bring forth much fruit and lasting fruit for The Kingdom of God. Let us Walk In The Spirit and Fulfill His Calling Today!
Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Jesus, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Feb 12, 2003, Subject: OT MESSAGE: FUGITIVES AND VAGABONDS
WORSHIP:
ALL THAT I CAN DO
All that I can do is thank Him
All that I can do is pray
All that I can do is lift my hands to sing His praise
When the Father sent His Son
To live with us our lives to mend
He placed His love upon the altar
That with Him we might ascend.
Lord the blessed life you give me
And the holy road you choose
Lead me all the way to Calvary
And I'll only follow you.
Lord I only want your blessing
While I'm sitting at your feet
Nothing in this world can woo me
From your holy seat.
THE WORD:
When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth [in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast].
- Genesis 4:12
What drives your life? Cain was cursed by reason of the Earth, which opened it's mouth to receive Abel's [shed] blood from his hand. "My punishment is greater than I can bear or too great to be forgiven!" said Cain to the Lord.
"Could have been me put the thorns in Your Crown. Rooted as I am in the violent ground. How many times have I turned Your Promise down? Still You Poured Out Your Love, Poured Out Your Love."
- Bruce Cockburn
Jesus became sin for us when He died on the Cross at Calvary, because the Word of God says, "Cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree."
We who are In Christ Jesus are no longer under the curse, but unfortunately have to deal with the results of it in our everyday life here on Earth. How much innocent blood is shed around the globe by abortion, war and murder?
Life Is In The Blood and we shall All give an account to God for our actions or inaction. The righteous blood of Abel cries out before the Throne of God and the blood of All up to Today that was spilled upon the Earth. A Just God demands punishment, but Jesus took our punishment upon the tree, poured out His Precious Blood to Redeem us from the curse of sin and death and brought us back into a right relationship with Our Heavenly Father!
Struggling in your daily life? Digging in and getting nowhere fast? Losing ground instead of gaining? Getting low yields on high investments? Running from people, places and things like a fugitive, a vagabond? Feeling like you're in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast of society Today? Thinking you've committed the ultimate sin and could never be forgiven and your punishment is far too much for you to bear?
Give Everything Over To God! Jesus has paid the ultimate price for All! He promises you the Abundant Life, Eternal Life In His Holy and Precious Name! We "Are" Winners and not losers In Jesus! In Him we reap 30, 60 and 100 fold of Everything we sow! You are a Child of the King, Sons and Daughters of the Most High God! God has Forgiven us In Christ Jesus, Redeemed us from the curse, taken our punishment and Made us Holy, Pure, Blameless and Whole In His Sight!
Believe Him, Trust Him, Rely On Him, Cling To Him, Know Him, Love Him and Receive All That He Has To Give YOU In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Wed, Feb 12, 2003, Subject:
PSALMS AND PROV.: SEEING LIFE FROM GOD'S VIEW / CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
WORSHIP:
HE IS LORD
He is Lord, He is Lord
I know it in my spirit
He is Lord, He is Lord
I know it in my heart
He is Lord, He is Lord
Alive and a'risin'
He is Lord, He is Lord, He is Lord
He is Lord, He is Lord
He gave His blood and body
He is Lord, He is Lord
He gave Himself for me
He is Lord, He is Lord
I know every minute
He is Lord, He is Lord, He is Lord
THE WORD:
THE earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it. [1 Cor. 10:26.]
- Psalm 24:1
A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. [Prov. 17:9.]
- Proverbs 16:28
The whole Earth is the Lord's and everything that is in it. If He were hungry He would not tell us, for the World and It's Fullness are His. He Knows and is Acquainted with All the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are His and are With Him, In His Mind. He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. You can not bribe God, but a reproof enters deeper into one of understanding than a hundred lashes into a self confident fool. The unbeliever and the ungodly speaks folly and his mind plans iniquity: practicing profane ungodliness and speaking error concerning the Lord, leaving the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and causing the drink of the thirsty to fail.
God created, founded and established this planet we live on. If His Eye Is On the sparrow then how much are His Thoughts On Us? More than All the grains of sand on the Earth's shores! Do you think He doesn't know our each and every move, thought, word and deed? This Psalm of King David asks and answers many questions for those who put their Trust and Faith In The One True Living God.
Who shall go up into the Mountain of the Lord or who shall stand In His Holy Place? Only those with clean hands, pure hearts, who have not lifted themselves up to falsehood, or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully [Matt. 5:8.] shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of Our Salvation. David even speaks to inanimate objects and says, "Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors; that the King of Glory may come in." Who Is [He then], This King Of Glory? The Lord of Hosts. He Is the King of Glory, Jesus! Selah [pause, and think of that]!
Seeing things God's Way, In His Will and according to His Holy Word and getting along in this World we live in isn't alWays easy. This unfortunately isn't alWays a bed of roses even among the Christian Community of Believers, because we All come from different walks of life and backgrounds, but "In Jesus" we find the Unity of His Spirit and Purpose constantly working in and among us to obtain the goal of becoming "One" With Him! It is completely and utterly worthless for us to devise and dig up mischief, because our lips and tongues can start a scorching fire. Sowing strife will reap a harvest of discord and separation between close friends, brothers and sisters In the Lord Jesus.
Grasping, covetousness and violence entices and leads us into the "way" that is not Good. When in the right, do as Jesus would and when found to be in the wrong, do as Jesus would, so that His Will and "Way" prevails and His Name receives the Glory, Praise and Honor due Him! As Believers, as Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus / Yeshua, Our Messiah, The Anointed One let us All strive to obtain the High Calling In Him and uphold the Name, "Christian," so that the World will Know Us By Our Love, His Love, In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Thu, Feb 13, 2003, Subject: New Testament Message: You Are Not An Accident
Worship:
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Thru many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
The Word:
Even as [in His love] He chose us - actually picked us out for himself as His own - in Christ before the foundation of the world; that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.
- Ephesians 1:4
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (Holy Spirit given) blessing in the heavenly realm deserves all blessing (praise, laudation and eulogy) from us, for He foreordained (Yes! Every Believer is ordained of God.) us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted [revealed] as his own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will - because it pleased Him and was His kind intent; [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (His grace is amazing isn't it?) - favor and mercy - which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Remind you of the Song of Solomon?).
Believe it or not, "you" are chosen of God to go and fulfill His purposes on this Earth just as Jesus did when He dwelt among us in human flesh. Why did He chose you? Because He loves you, God is Love and everything He does is done in and for the plans and purposes of His Love! You were actually personally picked out by Him, for Him and as His own. God purchased you, bought you by sending His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus to pay the price for you on the Cross at Calvary, so that you could be Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, His Chosen Bride. You "are" the Beloved's and the Beloved "is" Yours! Before God spoke this universe into existence He Knew "you" In Jesus, planned that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in HIs sight.
Are you above reproach? Don't feel bad, because none of us are. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but In Jesus there is no condemnation, only forgiveness, healing, wholeness, fullness, restoration, completeness, blessing, joy, peace and more as we stand before Him In His Love!
The Full and Complete Revelation of Jesus, All that He Is, Says and Does Is "OURS" In God's Holy Word! When you lose your life as we know it in this world, you gain Eternal Life, The Abundant Life in Christ Jesus, come to know and understand who we "are" In HIm and who we "are" meant to "be" In Him through the Living Word of God! His grace (God's unmerited favor) and spiritual peace (peace with God and harmony, unity and undisturbedness) is ours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, so receive it now In Jesus' Precious Name and pass it on! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Thu, Feb 13, 2003, Subject:
Messianic Message: Messiah A Priest After The Order Of Melchizedek
Worship:
Thou Art Worthy
Thou art worthy, thou art worthy
Thou art worth, O Lord of Hosts
Thou art worthy to receive glory
Glory and honor and power.
For thou has created all things,
Has created
Thou has created all things
And for thy pleasure
They are created
Thou art worthy, O Lord.
The Word:
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent.
Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
- Ps. 110:4
Wither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus / Yeshua, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
- Heb. 6:20; 2:17; 5:6; 7:17, 21
G-d has spoken, and will not revoke or change what He has said and done:
Yeshua / Jesus Is designated and recognized and saluted as A High Priest for ever after the manner [with the rank], arises and bears the likeness of Melchizedek. Now we have Hope as steadfast anchor of the soul - it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it - [a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil, [Lev. 16:2.] Where Jesus / Yeshua has entered in for us [in advance]. He became Man, so that He could be merciful, (sympathetic) and faithful in the things related to G-d, to make atonement and propitiation for the people's sin.
Yeshua / Jesus was appointed and exalted of G-d, He reverenced G-d, had godly fear, piety, learned [active, special] obedience, was made perfect [in equipment], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him. [Isa. 45:17.]
We also are called, confirmed and addressed by G-d to be kings and priests In His Kingdom.
As G-d's chosen people we should offer ourselves up willingly to His Holy Spirit Power, in the beauty of holiness and in holy array. Rise and shine for your Light has come and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Spring forth for the Lord is at your right hand and will shatter the enemy in the day of His indignation.
This Melchizedek, king of Salem [and] priest of the Most High G-d, met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; And Abraham gave him a tenth portion of all [the spoil]. He is primarily, as his name when translated indicates, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means king of peace.
Yeshua / Jesus , Whose Father Is In Heaven, The Ancient of Days Is The Son of G-d and continues to be a priest without interruption and without successor. How great [a personage] was Melchizedek to receive the topmost [the pick] of the heap - of the spoils - a tenth from the patriarch Abraham, but Yeshua / Jesus Is The Greatest Of All! As children of Abraham, children of Faith we serve the King of Kings, The High Priest, The Prince of Peace, Servant of the Most High G-d, The Promise and the Hope of Israel!
This Son of David, Son of G-d Is The King Priest Forever! Let us serve Him well In the Name of Yeshua / Jesus! Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Sat, Feb 15, 2003, Subject: Acts 4:32-37
Worship:
Unto Thee O Lord (Ps. 25:1-4)
Unto thee O Lord
Do I lift up my soul
Unto thee O Lord
Do I lift up my soul
O my God, I trust in thee
Let me not be ashamed
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Show me thy way
Thy ways, O Lord
Teach me thy paths
Thy paths, O Lord
O my God, I trust in thee
Let me not be ashamed
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
The Word:
Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all.
And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace - loving kindness and favor and goodwill - rested richly upon them all.
Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales.
And laid it at the feet of the apostles.
Then distribution was made according as any one had need.
Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (special messengers), which interpreted means, Son of Encouragement,
Sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the sum of money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
- Acts 4:32
Let me start off by saying we are all in good company here, Believers In Jesus as Lord and Savior of the World, of one heart and soul (His Heart and Soul, His Plan and Purpose according to His Word, Will and Way), not one of us claiming that anything we possess is [exclusively] ours, but everything we have is given to us by God Our Heavenly Father and for the common use of all to bring Unity to the Body of Christ, Equip the Saints for Service In the Kingdom of God, which is Righteousness, Peace and Joy In the Holy Ghost and to Fulfill His Great Commission, which is to Go Into All the World and Preach the Good News, the Gospel of Christ Jesus and God's Love to Every Creature, All Nations and Peoples!
This is our mandate, our mission, our vision, our goal, but it can only be accomplished In the Strength of His Holy Spirit Being Active In and Through Each and Every One of Our Lives, His Abilities, His Gifts, His Talents, The Testimony of Jesus, His Love, The Resurrection Power of The Lord and His Great Grace, His Unmerited Favor, which is His Loving Kindness and Goodwill resting richly upon us All!
My God shall supply All of your needs according to his Riches In Glory! Have a need?
Ask, believe and receive! God Is Our Provider!
What was it that the rich young ruler lacked?
Jesus said to him and He says to us, "Sell everything you have and give to the poor!"
Peter replied to the Lord, "We have left everything for you!" What have you given up for God that He gave His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus to die on the Cross at Calvary for us and our sin, so that you and I can have Eternal Life in His Name? What can we give back to God?
What can we do for Him? Nothing and He asks for nothing, but our life and love in return.
Lay yourself down at the feet of Jesus, offer your "self" up as a living sacrifice to Him and He will use you in ways to meet the needs of others that you could never have hoped or imagined to accomplish in your life time! He wants each one of us to be Sons and Daughters of Encouragement to our other Brothers and Sisters In Jesus and to those who have not yet come to Know Him as Lord and Savior of their heart and soul. Sell whatever you have to sell, give whatever you have to give, bring whatever you have to bring to The Lord and lay everything at His Feet, so that you too can be an apostle, a special messenger of His Love to All In The Name of Jesus!
Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Tue, Feb 18, 2003, Subject: OT Message: Pierce My Ear / The Door or Door "Post"
Worship:
Pierce My Ear
Pierce my ear,
O Lord My God!
Lead me to Your Door This Day
And I will serve no other god.
Lord, I'm here to stay.
You laid down Your Life for me.
You have given All for me
And I will serve you Eternally.
A free man I'll never be.
The Word:
But if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go free,
Then his master shall bring him to God [the judges]; he shall bring him to the door or doorpost, and shall pierce his ear with an aw; and he shall serve him for life.
- Exodus 21:5, 6
How many here have a pierced ear? I do and I'll leave it up to you whether that's a spiritual or physical piercing. This somewhat goes along with the circumcision question. If we are circumcised in the flesh (I am speaking of The Law and being circumcised on the eighth day here), but not of the heart then what good is it?
None, because it is null and void of any True Spiritual Life or real significance.
How can a woman be circumcised or even a man if he is the Bride of Christ Jesus other than In The Spirit. God deals with us in the natural, physical realm in which we live and not by might, not by power, but By His Spirit that gets into the "heart" of "the matter" (our human flesh) and fills us to overflowing with His Presence, His Life and His Love.
I am certain that many of you (if not all) have skimmed over this portion Scripture without ever realizing the Truth that is so deeply written within It. Our Heavenly Father is laying down The Law to Moses which is just a shadow of the things to come In Christ Jesus, The Messiah and Anointed One. Jesus Is Our Jubilee! [Lev. 25:39-41.] We who have been held captive by sin and death since the fall of mankind in The Garden have been redeemed, bought back, purchased, our debt has been paid in full by the Work of Christ on the Cross at Calvary. Once we were slaves to sin, but now we are Free In Jesus and he who the Son sets Free Is Free Indeed! As Free as we "are" In Him, Paul the Apostle says, we are to be Bond Servants of Christ by our own personal choice, serve Him out of our Love for Him and All He Has Accomplished on our behalf, so that we could Live a Life of Righteousness (right standing with God), Communion and Fellowship with Our Heavenly Father AlWays and Forever Into All Eternity!
Have you come to God? Jesus Is The Door by which we must enter in order to be saved and The Only Way to The Father! He was pierced for our transgressions, shed His Blood for the forgiveness of our sins, died in our stead and rose from the grave to be seated at the right hand of God Our Heavenly Father, so that we could serve Him for Life! Has The Holy Spirit of God drawn you to God, to The Door and pierced your ear? Open my ears Lord, so that I may hear Your Word, Your Voice and help me to listen. Open our eyes, so that we can see Wonderful, Marvelous Things In Your Holy Word, help us to see The Revelation of Jesus and The Vision Of His Glory!
Open our minds to give us Your Wisdom, Your Knowledge, Your Understanding and allow us to use the Mind of Christ (which we "have" as Believers according to His Word) to the Utmost of Your Abilities (and ours) Working In and Through us by Your Holy Spirit!
If you love your life you'll lose it, but if you Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, spirit and strength, plainly say to Him, I Love YOU As My Master, I Am Your Beloved and YOU Are Mine, I Am Your Son, Daughter, Your Child and I want to lose my life In YOU by serving YOU for Life, so that I can gain Eternal Life In Your Son, Jesus' Precious Name!
Amen.
God bless and Love to All (or is that awl?), <')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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Copyright 2003-2012
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Date: Wed, Feb 19, 2003, Subject: Psalms and Proverbs
Worship:
Enter In
Enter in, enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
You can sing His praise as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
You can speak His word as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
Be not afraid as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
Sit at His feet as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
You can feel His love as you enter in
Enter in the place God has made.
The Word:
My heart was hot within me. While I was musing the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
Lord, make me to know my end, and [to appreciate] the measure of my days, what it is; let me know and realize how frail I am - how transient is my stay here.
- Psalm 39:3, 4
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to over-look a transgression or an offense.
- Proverbs 19:11
John Wesley (founder of the Methodist Church) alWays spoke of the burning heart. Jesus says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!" James asks, "Who can tame the tongue?" In Psalm 39, A Psalm of King David written to the Chief Musician; for Jeduthan [founder of an official musical family (kind of like the Osmond's or for those who are old enough to remember, The King Family :)], David says that he would take heed, guard his ways, would sin not with his tongue and muzzle his mouth as with a bridle, while the wicked were before him. The Word of God tells us that our Life truly at its best is merely a breath and we walk around like a shadow in a pantomime. He who has the Son has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life! Do you have the Holy Spirit of God living In you (The Breath Of Life Eternal)?
It is the Spirit of God that burns within and Our God Is A Consuming Fire! He makes His Angels (His Special Messengers) Wings Of Fire! Does His Holy Spirit Fire burn deep within your heart and soul? Like Isaiah The Prophet, allow God to touch your tongue, you lips with the burning coals from His Altar, so that when you speak forth the Things of God they will burn deep into the heart and soul of others. God's Word is written for you, so that you may Know God (Know that you "have" Eternal Life In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name), His Perfect and Acceptable Will, His Way and your end. The Word of God tells us that our years are 70 or 80 at the most and we are just passing through, but as we submit to God's leading He Will use us to the Utmost of His Abilties to reach the World we live in, because as Jesus was (and Is) on this Earth, so "are" we!
Though we are frail, in our weakness He shows His Strength!
Rich, poor, slave or free, you can not teach people commmon sense, but good sense can be learned and God gives us His Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding In His Word. Some will face the King's Wrath and Judgement which is as terrifyng as the roaring lion, but His Favor, His Grace is as refreshing as dew upon the grass. The Lion shall lay down with the Lamb, because The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The Lamb of God Who Takes AWay the sins of the World leads us into greener pastures and anoints our heads with His Holy Spirit Oil! Life is a temporary assignment and God has given us All the Ministry of Reconciliation to restore broken fellowship between God and mankind, so let us bring Glory, Praise and Honor to His Holy Name by overlooking other's transgressions or offenses, forgive and forget, bring healing, times of refreshing and fulfill the great Commission! Use restraint, be angry about the things that are not of God, but sin not! Love God, Love one another as Christ Jesus has Loved you and does Love you each and every day!
Let your Light burn brightly, know who you "are" In Him and the Light of Life will chase aWay the darkness and the reasons for us being here for such a time as this will make good sense to All Nations and Peoples, In Jesus' Name.
Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
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and visit:
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Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Feb 20, 2003, Subject: FOR ALL MEMBERS!! PLEASE, READ AND PRAY! NT Message: Satan The Tempter
Worship:
Lift Jesus Higher
Lift Jesus higher
Lift Jesus higher
Lift Him up for the world to see
He said, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all me unto Me."
The Word:
And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon!
Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
- Luke 22:31-32, NKJV
Do you think that you are ready to go with Jesus both to prison and to death?
Take heed lest any man, woman or child think they stand, because pride comes before the fall! Are you able to drink the cup Jesus drank from The Father? For those of us who go the distance (running the race), remain (throughout) and persevere with Jesus in His trials and endure unto the end; And as Our Heavenly Father has appointed a kingdom and conferred it on Him, so does He confer on us [the privilege and decree] That we may eat and drink at His Table In His Kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel! What?
Me Judge? Yes and The Word of God tells us that we are even going to be judging the angels of Heaven! What a privilege and honor it is for us to serve The Living God, but along with it all comes the responsibility to uphold the Truths of God's Holy Word, His Perfect, Acceptable Will and Way!
We are in the middle a Spiritual Battle, a raging war for the hearts, minds and souls of this generation in which we live!
Make no mistake about it; the Spiritual realm is very powerful and the flesh is weak, but the Battle Is The Lord's and The Victory Is Ours In Jesus' Mighty Name!
"Peter, listen!" Jesus exclaimed, "Satan has asked excessively that (all of) you be given up to him - out of the power and keeping of God - that he might sift (all of) you like grain, [Job. 1:6-12; Amos 9:9.] In these last days God is separating the wheat from the chaff. Even Judas who sat with Jesus, ate and drank with Him at The Last Supper, The Lord's Supper, The Passover Feast, The Communion Table turned his back on Him and even betrayed The Son Of God with a kiss. The adversary and accuser goes to and fro on the earth, walks up and down on it considering, roaming as a lion, stalking it's prey, looking for whom he may devour and his primary targets are those who are blameless, upright, those who reverently fear God, abstain from and shun evil [because it is strong]. Again, God has conferred (mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, sexual, complete and total) prosperity and happiness (The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength!) upon us and the works of our hands (We "Are" His Workmanship Created For God Works In Christ Jesus And He Calls Us To Offer Up Ourselves A Living Sacrifice!), and our possessions will increase in the land as we follow His Word, Will and Way! Satan may unleash all the powers of darkness against us, but he can not have our soul! The Eyes of the Lord are upon the sinful kingdom and He will destroy it from the surface of the ground. God says, "I commands, will sift the House of Israel among all nations, cause it to move to and fro, like as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least kernel fall upon the earth and be lost [from My Sight]!" All the sinners will die, but the evil shall not take or meet [and assail] us, because God has raised up a Tabernacle, His Church, The Body of Christ and we "are" Called By His Name!
Jesus has prayed especially for us [Read: John 17.] that our [own] faith (God has dealt to us each a portion of Faith.) may not fail (God Is Faithful and Jesus Never Fails!) and when we turn unto Him (Look unto Jesus, The Author and Finisher of Our Faith!), He Commands Us To Strengthen, Establish One Another and Go To All Nations, All Peoples, Everywhere Preaching, Teaching, Healing and Baptizing In The Name Of The Father, In The Name Of The Son and In The Name Of The Holy Spirit (Representing All that He Is)!
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
- James 4:7, NKJV
So be subject to God. - stand firm against the devil; resist him and as the King James Bible says, "He MUST Flee from you!"
Have you played the fool? We are not serving men or women here, but God Almighty, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He gives us more and more grace [power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully], He gives grace [continually] to the lowly - the humble-minded [enough to receive it].
[Prov. 3:34.] Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty].
Let you laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. Humble yourselves - feeling very insignificant - in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. - He will lift you up and make your lives significant! As we lift Jesus up together and serve Him, He Will Draw All Men, Women and Children Unto Him In His Holy and Precious name! Amen.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of God / God of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Feb 21, 2003, Subject:
Messianic Fri: Salvation Of All Nations - The Result Of Christ's Death
Greeting:
Welcome to All and Shabbat Shalom (fullness, wholeness and blessings), The Peace of the Sabbath (Yeshua / Jesus Is Our Peace And Our Rest Is Found In Him)! Let us Worship and Bow Down Before Him Who Alone Is Worthy Of All Glory, Honor And Praise!
Worship:
This Is My Commandment - John 15:12
This is my commandment that you love one another That your joy may be full
This is my commandment that you love one another That your joy may be full.
That your joy may be full
That your joy may be full
This is my commandment that you love one another That your joy may be full.
Opening Prayer:
Father G-d, We ask that you speak to our hearts and lives Today In The Name Of Yeshua / Jesus, The Living Word Of G-d.
Give us Your Vision, fill us with Your Holy Spirit and allow each of us to do our part in Your Work here on Earth until You Come Again! Amen.
The Word:
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
- Ps. 22:27
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
- 2 Cor. 5:15 Luke 2:10-11
Every knee shall bow and Every tongue shall confess that Yeshua / Jesus, The Messiah / The Christ / The Anointed One Is Lord! The poor and afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord who [diligently] seek for, inquire of and for Him and require Him [as their greatest need]. May your heart be quickened now and for ever! For the kingship and the kingdom are the Lord's, and He is the ruler of all the nations. G-d scattered His Chosen People to All the ends of the earth and it is when we turn to Him, commune and fellowship with Him that we "remember" Yeshua / Jesus and the Work He Accomplished for us on The Cross At Calvary, how He shed His Precious Blood (Life [Eternal Life] Is In The Blood), died in our stead and rose again, so that we could live our Life Unto Him! Come! Let us Worship and Bow Down! Let us Kneel Before The Lord, Our G-d, Our Maker! For He Is Our G-d and we are the People Of His Pasture and The Sheep Of His Hand. You're, The Sheep Of His Hand! All Believers Everywhere in the World are "One" In Yeshua / Jesus, we "are" The Family Of G-d, His Children, Brothers and Sisters In The Lord, A Holy Nation and Royal Priesthood!
Does the Love of Messiah / Christ / The Anointed One control, urge and impel you? We should not estimate and regard anyone from a purely human point of view - in terms of natural standards of value, because we are no longer dealing in terms of the flesh, but in spiritual matters. Yeshua / Jesus died for All, so that All who would come to Know Him as Lord and Savior would live The Abundant Life In Messiah / Christ, The Resurrection Life In And By His Holy Spirit, But To Him And For Him Who Was Raised Again For Our Sake!
This Is Good News Of A Great Joy (The Gospel Of G-d) which will come and has come to All The People! Do not be afraid, for behold, look at what the Lord is bringing you In And Through His Holy Word Today! To YOU was born in the town of David a Savior (O little town of Bethlehem [The House Of Bread and Yeshua / Jesus Is The Bread Of Life!]), Who Is Christ, the Messiah, the Lord!
[Mic. 5:2.] Do you recognize Him as such or are you still searching for a sign? The Lord Himself has given the World a sign, Behold, the young woman who was unmarried and a virgin conceived and bore a Son, and called His Name Immanuel - G-d with us. [Matt. 1:22, 23; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 31:22; Mic. 5:3-5.] Yeshua / Jesus [in Hebrew means Savior]. Do not weary and try the patience of G-d! He gave His Life. What more could He give?
O how He Loves you, O how He Loves me, O how He Loves you and me! Yeshua / Jesus died once for All, so let us go to All Nations and Peoples with the Love of G-d and the Good News, so that we can All believe, receive and live our Life Unto Him!
Amen.
Closing Prayer:
May the Lord Bless You, Keep You , Cause His Face to Shine Upon You, Be Gracious Unto You, Lift Up The Light Of His Countenance Upon You and Give You Peace, Shalom, Fullness and Wholeness In The Name Of Yeshua / Jesus, The Light Of The World, King Of Kings And Lord Of All! Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Your Brother In Him, Mark
Invite everyone you know and love to join our Christian E-Fellowship Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship
and visit:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/f/FaithfulSource for our "Love of G-d / G-d of Love" Series Today!
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved. Date: Jan 17, 2003, Subject: FRIDAY SERVICE: DYING TO "SELF" SERIES, KILLING LAUGHTER
GREETING:
Shalom Family! Let us Light the Sabbath Lights and Worship The One True G-d!
WORSHIP:
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come 'tis grace hath bro't me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun.
PRAYER:
Lord G-d, Show us Your Will In Your Word, Teach us to Love and offer our "self" up to You as a Living Sacrifice. In The Name of Yeshua / Jesus Messiah we pray. Amen.
THE WORD:
[G-d] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.
- Genesis 22:2
From Genesis to Revelation "The Word Of G-d" clearly reveals G-d's Unfolding Drama Of Redemption! Abraham, our "Father Of Faith" was tested and proved by G-d (maybe some of you [if not All of you] are being tested of G-d Today).
Notice how the Scripture says, "your only son?" Ishmael, was already born to Hagar, Sarah's bondwoman and was probably 39 years old at this time, because he was 14 when Isaac was born and according to Josephus, Isaac was 25 and shared his father's confidence In G-d.
After All, wasn't his very existence the result of G-d keeping His Word? (Gen. 17:15-17.) I say this to remind you All that G-d had a son named Adam and countless numbers of children by this time in human history, but Yeshua / Jesus Is The Only-Begotten Son Of The Father! Although The Word Says, "whom you love" it is clear that Abraham loved his first born child Ishmael and G-d also promised to bless him and make him a nation. Commanded to offer up his son, Abraham rose early in the morning and began the trip to the place of which G-d had told him in complete and total obedience To His Creator. This tells me that Our Heavenly Father Who Is No Respecter Of Persons Is Wanting To Tell Each And Every One Of Us His Will And Way.
All we need do is listen to His Word, be ready, willing and able to obey (even unto the point of death if need be, but ultimately G-d wants us to LIVE for Him!).
Let's face it, nobody likes being in the pit, but understand that it is in this "mountain top experience" that G-d requires Abraham to offer up his son as a burnt offering.
We are His Workmanship Created For Good Works In Christ / Messiah / The Anointed One!
He Calls Us To Offer Up Ourselves A Living Sacrifice! What G-d says, we should listen to and obey. Take now?
Then get to it now!
Whatever He asks of us we should do. Jesus / Yeshua commands us to GO, but His Children refuse to obey. When we give or do anything it should be "Unto The Lord!" The Word Of G-d tells us that He Makes His Servants Messengers (Angels) Of Fire! We are to be consumed (the Zeal of the Lord Consumes Me) by Him (Our G-d Is A Consuming Fire), filled with HIm (be ye being filled with the Holy Ghost) and anointed with the Holy Spirit (He has poured out His Spirit upon All flesh). G-d will reveal to us His Glory on the mountain and the Holy Spirit will whisper in your ear to turn to the right or the left. By Faith Abraham and Isaac went up the mountain and told the servants they would return.
Abraham said, My son, G-d will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering. So the two went together.
- Genesis 22:8
This is one of the most profound prophetic utterances referring to The Lamb Of G-d Who Takes AWay The Sins Of The World! G-d In the form of man (Behold The Man Christ / Messiah / The Anointed One Jesus / Yeshua) came to Earth and provided Himself, Who when the fullness of time had come HE (G-d's Only Son) offered Himself as a sin offering (He Who knew no sin became sin for us and died in our stead), a peace offering (My Peace I Give To YOU), was resurrected from the grave as the offering of First Fruits Unto The Father and is now seated at the Right hand Of G-d The Father In Heaven!
Abraham was a Prophet Of G-d (Gen.20:7) and longed to see Messiah's / The Christ's Day!
Jesus / Yeshua said, Abraham hoped for "My day [My incarnation]; and he did see it, and was glad" (John 8:56). When?
How?
Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and lo, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son!
- Genesis 22:13
G-d Is Our Provider! He gave Abraham his son, Isaac back (as if from the dead) and In Jesus we have "Resurrection Life, Eternal Life" (here and now) In His Name, because He offered Himself up as the sacrifice for our sin! In Isaac (who is the most expressive "type of Christ / Messiah), Abraham and Sarah had "laughter" (Isaac means "Laughter"), but In Jesus, we have Joy Unspeakable Forever More!
Brothers and Sisters, Whatever G-d is asking you (commanding you) to offer up or lay down is for your overall good and He Will Completely and Totally Bless YOU, multiply you and your Seed (Heir) shall possess the gate of His enemies.
And In your Seed [Christ / Messiah] shall All the Nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My Voice. [Acts 3:25, 26; Gal. 3:16.]
- Genesis 22: 18
May the Lord bless you, keep you, cause His face to Shine upon you, be gracious unto you, lift up the Light of His Countenance upon you and give you His Peace, Shalom, Fulness In the Name Of Jesus / Yeshua, The Light Of The World! Amen.
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Nov 27, 2002, THE FIRST Simple Church CHRISTIAN E-FELLOWSHIP WEDNESDAY MESSAGE
Welcome, Every One! We're going to be sharing in the Psalms and Proverbs every Wednesday and for our first time together I thought we'd go through Psalm 119:1-176 (just kidding). Please, set you mind at ease and enter into God's Presence. Place yourself before God's Throne of Grace as we worship Him together in Spirit and Truth. Not only are you alone with the Lord Jesus, but we are gathered together with some 4,000 of our Brothers and Sisters from around the World. Forget about all of your preconceived notions about "Church" and experience what it's like to have communion and fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Whatever is the best Way for you to congregate or however you like your services to be, enter into His Rest. The beauty of the internet is that for some of you this will be a sunrise service, morning service, evening service or even a midnight mass. God is not bound by time or space and He Is With Us All!
Father, we ask that you would open our eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word, open our ears to hear Your Still Small Voice, open our minds to Understand Your Wisdom and Knowledge and open our hearts to Love In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart. I will enter His Courts with Praise! I will say, "This is the Day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me Glad!
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You Lord. Glory to God the Son. Praise God the battle's won. He gives us the Victory! Only He can set us Free! O Hallelujah to the Lord!
Jesus is King of All. Don't stop Praising the Lord! Keep Praising the Lord!
I can almost see Your Holiness as I look around this place. With our hands stretched out to receive Your Love I can see You on each face. Spirit of God life us up! Spirit of God lift us up! Fill us again with Your Love Sweet Spirit of God!
Glory to God in the highest. Peace to His people on Earth. Glory to our Lord God the Heavenly King! O Mighty God and Father, we worship you and give You thanks for You alone are Holy, You are the Lord!
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world. Have Mercy on us! Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world.
Grant us Peace!
I hope you enjoyed my choice of songs and have entered into His Spirit of Praise and Worship. The Lord inhabits the Praises of His people and we are His people the sheep of His pasture. I'd like you all to introduce yourselves by e-mailing your Group, giving them your name, where you're from and what your favorite food is. Now go to your Members section, contact the person above and below you and ask them if there is anything that you could pray about for them. Realize the power of Unity In His Spirit and Purpose as thousands of us seek the Lord's Will and Way for each and every one of our lives and believe Him when He says that whatever 2 or more of you touch and agree on you shall have it In Jesus' Name. Please, pray daily for this ministry, every one involved in it and invite others you know to be a part of this "universal" gathering of Believers.
O PRAISE the Lord, all you nations!
Praise Him, all you people! [Rom. 5:11.]
For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever.
Praise the Lord! - Hallelujah!
- Psalm 117
But the path of the uncompromisingly just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more - brighter and clearer - until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect (to-be-prepared) day. [Matt. 5:14; Phil. 2:15; 2 Sam. 23:4.]
- Proverbs 4:18
God Loves each and every one of us regardless of nationality, race, age, sex, height, weight or whatever differences we have between us. As Believers In Jesus Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One we are One In the Spirit and One In the Lord to Our Heavenly Father. He has reconciled us all unto Himself, forgiven us of our sin and unrighteousness and has adopted us to be His Children Forever!
Jesus came to this Earth to die in our stead and to show us the Way to the Father. He Is the Way, Truth and Life!
Jesus Is the Light of the World and He has commissioned each and every one of us to be a Light to the Nations as well.
Let Your Light So Shine before men isn't a suggestion, but a command to Go into All the World and Preach the Gospel to All Nations and Peoples. Jesus has shown us the Way and now we must show others! He Is Coming Again Soon and we must make straight the path Way, so that others may enter In. Every one of us is where we are in this World to bring Glory, Praise and Honor to God and are commissioned by Him to go into the fields and bring Him the Harvest! Just as Jesus grew in the Grace and Knowledge of God from childhood to manhood, so are we in this World to carry on His Mission of reconciliation. That Is Our Ministry! Just as Paul the Apostle exhorted young Timothy to stir up the flame that burned within him, we must keep our fire burning in our hearts. John Wesley knew what it was like to have a burning heart and set out to reach the nations with the Gospel message. Our God Is A Consuming Fire! Allow His Love to consume you and watch what He Can and Will do in and through your Life. Walk every day In His Will and Way and your Light Will Shine Ever Brighter and Clearer until the full Light of day.
It only takes a spark to keep the fire glowing. That's how it is with God's Love once you've experienced it. When you're dealing with thousands of people who claim to be Christians there is always that chance that some are not.
Going to Church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a hamburger.
Praying doesn't make you a Christian, because every religion prays. Having the Gifts of the Spirit or looking like you have them doesn't make you a Christian.
Christ In YOU Is the Hope of Glory! He who Has the Son Has Life, but he who does not have the Son does not have Life.
Do YOU Have Jesus? Is He the Lord and Savior of your Life? Have you received Him Into your heart and Life? If you are not absolutely 100% certain that if you died right now that you would definitely go to Heaven to spend Eternity with Him then all you have to do is repent of your sins and ask Him to come into your Life and make you whole. He Will give you Peace and His Love. He has given us His Word and His Name. It Is Spirit and Life!
Paul wrote, I know Whom I have Believed In (trusted in and relied on) and am persuaded that He Is Able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against That Day!
Now may the Lord Bless and Keep You, Cause His Face to Shine Upon You, Lift Up the Light of His Countenance upon You and Give You Peace!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERY ONE!
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Title. Join The Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship Group Today! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship
Date: Fri, Nov 29, 2002, THE FIRST MESSIANIC SERVICE AT The Simple Church CHRISTIAN E-FELLOWSHIP
Shabbat Shalom! This is a traditional Jewish Greeting that means, Sabbath Peace or the Peace of the Sabbath be with you and this type of "Shalom" can only truly be found In Messiah. Greetings Every One In the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus / Yeshua (His Hebrew Name) Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One (Christ is Greek, Messiah is Hebrew and they both mean the Anointed One). Every Friday evening the Sabbath candles are lit, the blessing is said and G-d's Chosen People around the World Enter Into His Rest.
Father G-d we come to you, ask that you light the inner candle of our lives and fill us with the radiance of Your Glory! May we All come together In Your Spirit of Grace and Mercy to Worship You As One In Spirit and Truth. We ask that Your Word speak to our hearts and lives in the Name of Your Precious Son Jesus / Yeshua. Amen.
Baruch ha ba, b'shem adonai
Hallelujah
Blessed is He Who cometh
In the Name of the Lord.
That cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hear, O Israel, the Lord our G-d is one G-d Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy heart. Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy soul. Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy mind.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all of thy strength.
There is no condemnation for
Those in Messiah
Whose Spirit has freed us from sin and death When the law could not save us
In mercy G-d gave us His Son
As an offering to pay our debt.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The time is coming says the Lord
When I will make a covenant new
With the house of Israel
And with the house of Judah
And I will put my law in them
And I will write it on their hearts
And I will forgive all their sins
And they will be My people
Hallelujah Hallelu
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah Hallelu
Hallelujah
As the mountains are around Jerusalem
The Lord is all around His people.
From this time forth, and forever more,
The Lord is all around His people.
From this time forth, it will always be, The Lord is all around His people.
Please, take the time now to go to your Group Membership list, e-mail the person above and below you, greet them In the Lord and ask them if there is anything that you could pray about on their behalf.
After this the Feast of Dedication [of the reconsecration of the temple] was taking place at Jerusalem.
It was winter, and Jesus / Yeshua was walking in Solomon's porch in the temple area.
- John 10:22, 23
This is a very special service (not only because it is our first official Messianic one, but that tomorrow starts the eight days of Chanukah) and I hope you're enjoying the flavor of it so far. The Word of G-d tells us to taste and see that the Lord Is Good! The Nation of Israel and Jewish people around the World will celebrate the Festival Lights, read from the Book of 1 Maccabees 4:36-61 and 2 Maccabees 10:1-8 (these are Historical books known as the Apocrypha written during the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Covenants) and commemorate Judas Macabees' retaking the temple.
The twenty-fifth day of the ninth month of Kislev, in the year 148 (this corresponds to 164 B.C. [Before Christ / Before Messiah]) was the anniversary of the day the Gentiles had desecrated the altar. For eight days they celebrated the rededication of the altar.
- 1 Macabees 4:52-54, 56
Judas, his brothers, and the entire community of Israel decreed that they should celebrate with joy and gladness the same time each year. Please, take note and understand the importance of "community" to the people of G-d. The story goes that at the time of the rededication there wasn't enough oil in the temple to burn the lamps, but G-d miraculously provided the oil needed to burn the golden lamp stand for eight days and that's why there are special Chanukah Menorahs to celebrate this Feast. Today when Jewish people and many Messianic Believers around the World light the Chanukah candles (there are 9 all together, 4 on each side and the one in the middle that lights each of the eight candles, one every night) they light the main candle (called "The Servant [pay attention, because this get's interesting]) and use that each night to light a different candle on the Menorah.
Jesus / Yeshua came as a Servant (we are all called to be servants) and the Word of G-d says, "In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men." Messiah Himself exclaimed, "I AM The Light of the World!"
Many believe it was during Chanukah when He made this statement and later on told the disciples (we are all called to be disciples), "YOU Are The Light of the World, so Let YOUR Light Shine!" Isaiah prophesied in his Book 49:6, "I will also give you for a light to the nations, that My salvation may extend to the end of the earth." The Anointed One Is The Genuine, Perfcet, Steadfast Light - That Illumines Every Person! Debbie Boone popularized the song, "You Light Up My Life" and that is exacly what Jesus / Yeshua came to do for Every Single Human Being On The Face Of This Planet and we are called of G-d to go to All Nations and Peoples to tell them about Him. The Good News According to John tells us that Light shines on in the darkness. All Believers Everywhere are Called to Shine the Light of the Gospel of Jesus / Yeshua as Messiah to All who live in darkness.
Allow G-d's Servant, Messiah to Light YOU up each and every day of your Life In Him. If you're a Believer In Jesus / Yeshua as Your Lord and Savior then take this very special time of year and rededicate your Life to Him (YOU Are The Temple Of The Holy Spirit!). If you have never accepted Him into your heart and Life then don't live in darkness any longer. Arise and Shine For YOUR Light Has Come and the Glory of the Lord will Arise Upon YOU! Repent of your sin, put out the darkness, absorbe the Light of the World into your heart and Life, receive the Holy Spirit and His Fire will fall upon you. Now, All of YOU, Go Into All the World and Let YOUR Light Shine!
Happy Chanukah!
May the Lord bless you, keep you, cause His Face to Shine upon you, be gracious unto you, lift up the Light of His Countenance upon you and Give You Peace In Messiah, Jesus / Yeshua, the Light of the World!
G-d bless and Love to All, <')))>< Rabbi Mark :-)
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Dec 1, 2002, FIRST SUNDAY DECEMBER SERVICE: The Simple Church CHRISTIAN E-FELLOWSHIP
Let's Worship the Lord!
Rushing wind blow through this temple
Blowing out the dust within
Come and breathe Your breath upon me
I've been born again
Holy Spirit I surrender
Take me where You want to go
Plant me by Your Living Waters
Plant me deep, so I can grow
Jesus, You're the One Who set my Spirit free Use me Lord Glorify, Your Holy Name through me
Thanks be to God Who leads us in His Triumph Thanks be to God Who's got the Victory
We have overcome the World by the Blood of the Lamb And loving not our lives Even unto death, The Word of our testimony tells the World about His Love As we shout unto the Nations:
"He Is Coming Back! He Is Coming Back!"
All to Jesus I surrender All to Him I freely give I will ever Love and Trust Him In His Presence Daily Live.
I surrender All I surrender All
All to Thee My Blessed Savior I surrender All.
Only In God Is My Soul at Rest
In Him Comes My Salvation
He Only Is My Rock
My Strength and My Salvation
My Stronghold, My Savior, I shall not be afraid at all My Stronghold, My Savior, I shall not be moved
Lord how are they increased that trouble me Many are they that rise up against me
Many are they that say of my Soul
There is no help for him In God
But Thou O Lord are a shield for me
My Glory and the Lifter of My Head
But Thou O Lord are a shield for me
My Glory and the Lifter of My Head
Welcome to All of our New Visitors Today!
Please, e-mail us, tell us your name, where you're from and what your favorite food is :-)
Group Members, go to your Group Members list and contact the person above and below you for prayer and fellowship.
Father God, we come to You Today In the Mighty Name of Jesus and ask that you allow us to discover wonderful things In Your Word.
We Pray that you would fill us with Your Holy Spirit and allow us to go, do and be All that You Have Created us for and we ask All of these things In Your Holy Name. Amen.
Today we start the "Book of Acts" or what some call "The Acts of the Apostles", but I call it "The Book of the Acts of God's Holy Spirit In the Lives of Those Who Believed In Jesus and Were Obedient to His Call!" This Is the Book of Revelation for All Believers around the World who would like to enter into God's Will for their Lives, Go Forward In the Power of His Might and Live the Reality of Acts 2 in their every day Lives right into Eternity! In this work of God's Holy Spirit we are told of Jesus being Caught Up Into Heaven and the Holy Spirit Being Poured out Upon All Flesh (men, women, sons, daughters, manservants, maidservants, Jews and Gentiles). We read of the break-up between Paul and Barnabbas and the breaking down of the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile. Liars are buried and Lydia is resurrected from the dead. Today we discover the difference between Jesus breathing on the disciples in the Gospel of John saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit" and Him telling them that they'll receive Power when the Holy Spirit Comes Upon YOU! Discovering these Truths In Your Own Life, Walk and Relationship with Jesus takes time and effort on our parts to submit to His Will and Way, so let us move ahead now into this Book with no "real" ending, but only new beginnings for us All!
[IN] the former [account which I prepared] O Theophilus, I made a continuous report dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and teach,
Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) Whom He had chosen.
- Acts 1:1, 2
Here we have Dr. Luke (a physician of The Great Physician, Jesus) who wrote the Good News According to Luke (I'm sure many of you have seen the "Jesus" film based on his Gospel) giving an account to Theophilus which might as well be O Mark, O June or O Barbara (I'm sure you get my point). When reading the Scriptures read it as if God Himself is writing to YOU because that's exactly what He's doing In Jesus and through his Holy Spirit working In and Through Your Lives. Jesus not only descended to Earth, but He Ascended to be seated at the right hand of Our Father Who Art In Heaven!
He instructed and gave Commandments to His Chosen Ones (that's us too in case you haven't figured out quite where I'm going with this).
Today We Are God's Chosen People to bring His Salvation to the World! Each and Every One of Us is Called of God to be like Jesus where we live, work and have our being. This Is what Being A Christian Is All About!
To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross), by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations - unquestionable evidence and infallible proofs - appearing to them during forty days, and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.
- Acts 1:3
The Word of God tells us that we are more blessed if we Believe In Jesus even though we have not seen Him In the flesh. Why? Because the Spirit of God and His Truths are more "REAL" and Powerful than the flesh of our human bodies or this World we live in. Faith Is the "SUBSTANCE" of things hoped for and the "EVIDENCE" of things "unseen."
When you know, that you know, that you know something like your Salvation In Jesus then it's more real than anything you could describe. Jesus ate, drank, talked and walked with His Disciples then and He continues to do the "Same" with us Today. Why? Because He Is the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever! He Is No Respecter of Persons and He Loves All of His Children Equally!
And while being in their company and eating at the table with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which, He said, you have heard me speak.
- Acts 1:4
The Word of God tells us to wait upon the Lord and He shall renew our strength.
What have YOU heard God speak to YOU through His Word, In Prayer or through a message like this one? All of God's Promises are Yes and Amen In Jesus, so hold on to them and by Faith, like Our Father Abraham and others that have gone before us you shall receive.
For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with - placed in, introduced into - the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 1:5
As I mentioned in my intro, there is a difference in receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized with Him. We'll read later in this Book of a Great Preacher and Teacher of the Word of God who until meeting Paul the Apostle had not yet ever heard of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with God's Holy Spirit is a command for All Believers and not a suggestion. His Gifts and Talents are given to each and every one of us to use In His Body, For His Body and to the Glory, Praise and Honor of His Holy Name! The Holy Spirit Is A Person. He Is One with the Father and Jesus and as our Helper, He Is Called Along Side of Us to lead and guide us into All Truth and Righteousness.
So when they were assembled they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will re-establish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?
He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings - the things and events of time and their definite periods - fixed years and seasons (their critical nick of time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.
- Acts 1:6, 7
What questions have you asked the Lord lately? You have to know He alWays answers us, but not the Way we'd usually like Him to. It's either a yes, no or wait (in this situation it's a little of all three :-)
When the fulness of time had come God sent Jesus into the World, so trust and obey Him, because He knows exactly what He's doing, why and how.
But you shall receive power - ability, efficiency and might - when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends - the very bounds - of the earth.
- Acts 1:8
Not by our own might, efficiency, ability or power, "but By My Spirit", says the Lord! The things that we do in the flesh amount to nothing and will be burned up in the fire, but the Things of God's Spirit Are Eternal! Has the Holy Spirit come "upon" YOU? The Scriptures exhort us All to "put on" the Lord Jesus Christ! Are YOU Clothed In His Righteousness? Our own works and righteousness according to Paul are as filthy rags. Where is your Jerusalem, Judea or Samaria? With All of the Members In All of the Groups we have around the World, YOU are called of God to "be" His Witness (I'm not talking about going door to door handing out tracts [not that there's anything wrong with that], but living your Life In and For Him at home, school, work, with friends, family and yes, most definitely with your enemies) and when you've done all that you can to stand then move on until you reach the very ends of the Earth! This Is Our Vision and Calling!
And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.
And when they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,
Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.
- Acts 1:9-11
This is no "out of sight out of mind" experience here, but it certainly brings new meaning to "what goes up must come down." Did you ever notice how many times the things of God happen suddenly? Has God told you to go and do something? Why then do you stand there?
Jesus Is Coming again SOON and our redemption is much closer now than when we first believed. The Word of God tells us that we too who believe In Jesus shall be caught up together to be with Him in the clouds some day and it will happen in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, but until then we have a job to do.
We don't know the day or the hour, but we do know that God's Word Is True.
When He returns will He find Faith on the Earth? I hope so and I pray that All of us here will be found Faithful In Him. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a Believer they receive God's Power to fulfill God's Work here on Earth. The only time we have in this Life is NOW, so let us go forward In Him!
Father God, You have given us everything we need to live our lives unto you, Your Son, Your Word, Your Name and Your Spirit. Help us as individuals to rise to the occasion and fufill the calling that you have placed "upon" our lives. Make us as a Group, Your Church and the Body of Christ Jesus on this Earth to walk in unity, encouraging one another daily, fulfill Your Great Commission and above All to Love One Another As YOU Have Loved Us! If anyone here does not know You personally as their Lord and Savior or has never received Your Holy Spirit into and "upon" their Lives I pray that they would change their Way of thinking, turn from their life of self and sin, believe and receive Your New Life In Christ Jesus and that we would All Walk In Your Ability, Efficiency and Might In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Now, May the Lord Go Before You In All Things. He has promised Never to Leave or Forsake Us and Surely His Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Us All of the Days of Our Lives.
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: SPECIAL MESSAGE
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER 1:12-26
Then [the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, [only] a Sabbath day's journey [three-quarters of a mile] away.
- Acts 1:12
After seeing Jesus taken up to the clouds before their very eyes and the two men in white robes told them to stop standing around gazing into Heaven I think they decided the best thing to do was to be obedient to their Masters final commands.
And when they had entered [the city], they mounted to the upper room where they were indefinitely staying - Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the [son] of James.
- Acts 1:13
Here we are all together in the upper room with the top guns. What in the World could have been going through each one of their minds? Put yourself in their place and just roll these things over in your mind for a while. Could Peter deny what he saw with his own eyes?
How were John, James and Matthew going to print something like this in their books they were planning on writing and expect anyone to take their stories as True? Who was Andrew going to run and tell first? What doubts were going through Thomas' head? Either way you know these guys were totally committed, because they were going to stay there indefinitely until they heard from On High!
All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
- Acts 1:14
I seem to recall a story in the Old Testament of God coming down to Earth and saying that with mankind being of one mind and in one accord there was nothing impossible for them to accomplish. This is why we must renew our minds with the Word of God and stay in daily prayer for one another. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength! Notice that the women and men were together. We Are One In Him, there is no Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Rich or Poor, Black or White, Male or Female In Jesus! This is the last mention of Mary the mother of Jesus throughout the New Testament and notice how His own brothers have come around from their unbelief.
Now one of those days Peter arose among the brethren, the whole number of whom gathered together was about a hundred and twenty.
- Acts 1:15
Peter is stepping up to the plate here!
There's no mention of how many days have passed, but things were definitely stirring in the Spirit. Do you know that the average Church in the World has only 100 regularly attending members? Most "Christians" only attend one Church for just two years before moving on to find another one. We are blessed here as a ministry to have thousands of members around the World and God adds to His Church daily bringing an average of 100 or more new people in every week. This is due to your faithful prayers, people inviting, Biblical Teaching, communion and fellowship among All the Believers here expressed with God's Love working In and Through Us and Most of All God's Grace and Mercy! No man can come to the Father, but through the Precious Blood of Jesus!
Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.
- Acts 1:16
Whenever you see the word, "Brethren," that includes all in attendance (meaning, "Sisteren" and "Children" as well).
Although Jesus fulfilled All Scripture within and regarding Himself while here on Earth the Word of God is constantly fulfilling itself in each of our lives (In His Time), in World events Today and most definitely into the future. This is why knowing and studying Bible Prophecy is important for All Believers, so that we will be found ready when Jesus comes again! Still Today Men and Women of God around the World are speaking forth the Word of God with Power and Anointing. King David was certainly no exception. Judas, like All of us had choices to make each and every day of his life, but obviously didn't choose wisely.
For he was counted among us and received [by divine allotment] his portion of this ministry.
- Acts 1:17
Throughout my 20 + years in Ministry I've worked with many Men and Women of God and unfortunately I have also seen those who were quite active in serving the Lord fall away from Him. My heart has been broken and my spirit crushed by Judas' of my own, but God has promised to use All things for His Good and Glory! We are All Called of God to be His Children and serve Him as Jesus did while here on Earth in human flesh. God has dealt to us All a measure of Faith, He Is Our Portion and All Believers Everywhere throughout the World are counted as His Sheep in His Pasture.
Daily we Must Choose between what's right and wrong for us In Jesus.
Now this [man] obtained a piece of land with the [money paid him as a] reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle [of his body] and all his intestines poured forth.
- Acts 1:18
Remember that Peter denied Jesus three times and All of His Disciples fled when He was taken to be crucified, but they repented of their sin and asked forgiveness of Him, but Judas went out and hung himself. Quite an ugly picture painted here and a big contrast to having streams of Living Water flowing from our bellies when the Holy Spirit is poured out on us and moves upon our inner most being.
And all the residents of Jerusalem became acquainted with the facts, so that they called the piece of land in their own dialect, Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
- Acts 1:19
Word travels fast (especially a bad word).
Not only Today can we reach millions of people around the World with a touch of our fingers on our keyboards or by using our cell phones, but even in Biblical times (keep in mind that we are still living In Biblical Times) the spoken Word gets around. What we whisper in ones ear will be shouted from the house tops!
When Jesus died on the Cross at Calvary His Blood and Water flowed through the land and brought Healing to All Nations and Peoples (should they choose to accept Him as their Lord and Savior), but this Field of Blood was a place of death without Him.
For in the book of Psalms it is written, Let his place of residence become deserted and gloomy, and let there be no one to live in it; and [again], Let another take his position or overseership. [Ps. 69:25; 109:8.]
- Acts 1:20
Here we see the Holy Spirit at His best in bringing everything to remembrance and Peter speaking forth the Word of God.
We'll read later in the Book of Acts how it was obvious to those who saw and heard the Apostles speak that they had been with Jesus. Have you been with Jesus?
He Himself said that the Psalms testified of Him. Are you spending time with Him daily In His Word, prayer, Praise, Thanksgiving, communion and fellowship? It's most important that we forsake not the assembling of the brethren and communicate with one another in the Love of the Holy Spirit.
God has a place and position for you In His Body Today, so do your part, because we need the whole Body to function In His Will and Way!
So one of the [other] men who have accompanied us [apostles] during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us, one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.
- Acts 1:21, 22
When God shuts a door He opens another one. Notice Peter says, one of these men MUST JOIN with us. We need Believers around the World to join with us in our efforts to fulfill the Great Commision!
Just as the Scripture says that Jesus MUST NEEDS go to Samaria to speak with the woman at the well, God needs All of His People Everywhere to come together In the Unity of His Holy Spirit and be witness to God's Resurrection Power! The word witness can also be translated martyr or crown. Look unto Jesus like Steven did, meditate on that one for a while and maybe people will see your face as the face of an angel too.
And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
- Acts 1:23
The best laid plans of mice and men :-)
I've been in the mix, so can relate to this situation here as I'm sure many of you have seen Church nominating committees at work. I really enjoy Joseph - called Barsabbas
- who was surnamed Justus. It's kind of like, you can call me RJ, you can call me Ray...
And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts [their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes and endeavors], indicate to us which one of these two you have chosen To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle from which Judas fell away and went astray to go (where he belonged,) to his own (proper) place.
- Acts 1:24, 25
You might want to chew on how God knows our hearts a while. How're your thought paterns? Where does your passion lie? What are your desires? What wets your appetite? Are you fulfilling the purpose In Life that God Created You for? What endeavors are you planning to take on? As Chosen Men and Women of God You Must Seek God's Will and Place for You In this World.
It somewhat saddens me to see that there's no Love lost over Judas expressed here. May God have Mercy on us All! Even when a Brother or Sister In the Lord Jesus stumbles and falls we are supposed to be the ones there for them and bring them back in to a healing and restoration In the Body of Christ.
And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).
- Acts 1:26
I don't know if this was really such a good idea as I don't see much of a difference here from the Roman soldiers casting lots for Jesus' belongings at the foot of His Cross. A close friend of mine who attended seminary and I got into quite a discussion on this a while back (yes, we're still close friends and I did say, discussion not argument [although we did tend to see this verse differently and agreed to disagree]). I would have to say that this first Church had many growing pains to go through.
To the best of my understanding I would say that God had a better idea and later chose Saul of Tarsus to become Paul the Apostle! Another example of Father Knows Best! Remember Jesus said, I will build My Church, so friends, I suggest that it's better for All to let Him do just that!
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Dec 3, 2002, TUESDAY SERVICE:
OLD TESTAMENT
For All who hunger and thirst for His Righteousness, Let's Worship Him Who sits on the Throne!
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone, may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship Thee
I honestly can't imagine attending a Church service where the Priest, Pastor, Minister or whoever is conducting the service suggests that everybody greet one another or give the sign of Peace that you would just sit there and not acknowledge the person in front, behind or to either side of you. I know I have contacted people above and below me in my Group Members section as well as I have received e-mails and IM's from others introducing themselves to me personally and asking if there was anything that they could pray about for me. This is communion and fellowship at it's best, so please, don't be shy and reach out to your Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus Today. Pray for one another and Love one another In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name!
Father, Today we look to you to speak to our hearts and Lives In Jesus. Bring healing to those that are your suffering servants, Salvation to the lost and dying and encouragement and Power to your Holy People, the Church of the Living God and we ask this in Jesus' Name.
Amen.
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
- Job 12:10
In the beginning God created and the Word was with God and the Word was God!
Everything in this World starts and ends with God. All things are In Him, through Him and to Him In Christ Jesus our Lord and He holds All things together. Jesus Is the Light of Life unto All mankind and He knit us All together in our mother's womb. We Are His Workmanship Created In Christ Jesus to go and do Good Works In His Name that He has Prepared for Us before the foundations of this World were laid. We are All commanded to bring the Good News of Jesus and the Love of God to All Nations and Peoples!
Did you know that science has determined that All of mankind came from 1 woman? I thought it quite funny when Discover magazine had that as their cover story several years ago when the Word of God has been telling that to the World for thousands of years. Adam was formed from the dust of the ground (have any of you dusted your home lately?) and when the Lord God breathed the Breath of Life into his nostrils he became a living soul. Unfortunately we all know the rest of the story and now we All need to be brought back into a right relationship with God which can only come through Faith In Jesus, allowing Him to breathe His Holy Spirit Breath of Life into our beings and making us born-again Children of God! Did you know that the Holy Spirit can also be translated Breath of God? Breathe deep my Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus and be filled with His Holy Spirit.
Praise Him for every heartbeat, every breath, every taste, every touch, every sound you hear, every sight you see, every thought, every financial blessing, every Loving emotion, every sweet aroma and for All things, because the Scriptures tell us that All Good things come down from God out of Heaven!
He's got the Whole World in HIs Hands!
Perhaps you're in a Job situation where trials and temptations are overwhelming you, but hold fast to His promises, because He Is Faithful and True! Maybe you've turned away from Him, have gone the other way and are in the middle of a terrible storm like Jonah?
Remember there were plenty of others in that boat as well who didn't deserve that uprising of the sea, but the sun (or SON) still shines on the just and the unjust.
There are people in this World with aids through no fault of their own (whether it be through blood transfusions or childbirth). Some people die of second hand smoke, polluted water, murder, there are rapes, beatings and the list could go on and on, because we live in a fallen World, but Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of sin and death! The cattle on a thousand hills are All His!
Everything that has Life on this Earth gets it from God, Our Heavenly Father and that's why the Word of God says, Let Everything that has breath Praise the Lord! He inhabits the Praises of His People. Did you know that Judah means Praise? Jesus Is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!
We as God's Chosen People should be Children of Praise, Worship and Adoration!
Jesus gave His Life for each and every one of us on this planet, so why don't we give Him our All? Why not? He deserves it, All of it! And we who are Believers need to tell our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, enemies and the whole World that God Is Love and has provided a Way for them to spend eternity with Him in Heaven! Everything of ours is In His Hands, so let's trust and obey Him till our last breath.
Lord, we ask that you allow us to live our lives to the full In You and walk In Your Will and Way. Make us the Light to the Nations! Fill us with Your Love for each other and those who don't know you.
Show us the Way and give us Your Word to speak to the hearts and lives of others, so that they may enter into eternal Life In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Dec 4, 2002, WEDNESDAY SERVICE: PSALMS & PROVERBS
Welcome to All of our New Members!
Let's Praise the Lord!
Lord I'm gonna praise You (Praise You Lord) Lord I'm gonna praise You (Praise You Lord) Yes, I'm gonna praise You Lord
With all that's in my heart,
With all that's in my soul,
With all that's in my mind
OK! Why don't we All Greet one another In the Lord Jesus by either IMing, e-mailing or calling someone in your Group Today!
Father God, Thank You for your Word, letting us know that our lives are not an accident and that You are what drives our Life In Jesus. Bless Your Word now as it goes forth around the World In the Wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure for ever; forsake not the works of Your own hands. [Ps. 57:2; Phil. 1:6.]
- Psalm 138:8
One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing [to keep permanently]; another man considers himself poor, yet has great [and indestructible] riches. [Prov. 12:9; Luke 12:20, 21.]
- Proverbs 13:7
First off let me say that I hope all of you will take the time to look over the additional Scripture verses provided. I realize we all are limited in time, but one of the beauties of being on the internet is that you don't have to take everything in at once, you can save these messages to read them over at your convenience and meditate on Our Fathers Word to us, so we All can discover His Will and Way for our Lives In Jesus.
Jesus promised Never Ever to leave or forsake us and there is one thing that God can Not do, LIE! God Created each and every one of us In His Image and He has every intention of completing the work that He has begun In You.
It may seem hard to beieve right now, but whatever you're going through in your life God is going to work everything out for your Good.
Your major (and minor) concerns are His.
Jesus said, "Let Not Your Hearts be troubled!"
Delight yourself In the Lord and He Will GIve You the Desires of Your Heart. All we have in this life is now and unfortunately we mess up quite a bit, but God Is Eternal and His Loving-Kindness and Tender Mercies endure Forever! Our Heavenly Father sees us Perfect In His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus.
How do you consider yourself? Rich?
Poor?
Everything on this Earth is bound by time and some day will come to nothing. Keith Green sang, "Nothing lasts except the Grace of God by which I stand In Jesus."
God Is Love!
"Love Never gives up, Never loses Faith, is AlWays Hopeful and Endures."
- 1 Corinthians 13:7, NLT
If you're In God then the above Scripture verse should descrbe You. Bob Dylan sang, "When You gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?" Paul counted everything in this World a loss to him, but he achieved great gain In Jesus!
Jesus said, "If You lose Your life for My Sake then You Will Gain Eternal Life In My Name!" When Your life is hid In Christ it Is Permenant and Indestructible! Store up your treasures In Heaven, because Only what is done In and For Jesus will last Forever. You know the first Beattitude says, "Happy, to be envied and spiritually prosperous [that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions] - are (the humble, rating themselves insignificant), for theirs Is the Kingdom of Heaven!" My Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus, You Can't get Richer than THAT!
Lord, We thank You that You hold our lives in Your Hands. Forgive us for the times when we don't trust and obey You fully. If there is anyone reading this that has never accepted You Into their hearts and lives, please, touch and change them with the Love of Jesus. Go before us In All Things and Use Us to Fulfill Your Purposes In Jesus' Name. Amen.
God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Dec 4, 2002, Evening Service and Day #2 of Knowing God's Purposes for your life
Hello everyone Welcome to the FIRST EVER Evening Service for The Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship. I have an announcement to make that I have changed the name of the group to The Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship, which will now be our main church group. You can join at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship Please pass it onto your friends so that we can grow together in the Lord.
Today we are going to look at what it means to Worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth. This is Day #2 of Knowing God's Purposes for your life a series dedicated to helping you Discover what a living relationship with Jesus, to Grow in Christ, to build up the body of Christ, and to know your life's Purpose so that you can Glorify Christ with your life.
Before we enter into worship tonight please make sure you are greeting others within your group and most importantly those who are within your family, and friends with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are still looking for more people to serve so if you are interested please don't' hesitate to contact me at [email protected]
Invocation
Heavenly Father thank You that as we enter into Your Presence You set us free from bondages that we entangle ourselves in and help us, and empower us to live the life through the Holy Spirit the life of dying to ourselves so that You may reign supreme. Father touch each person tonight as we worship You give us a deeper awareness of Your Love.
Open our eyes so that we would see; give us pure hearts and renew a steadfast spirit with us so that we would walk in the newness of life instead of in the old nature. Thank You Jesus for dying for our sins. May Your Name be glorified through everything we do now in Jesus Name Amen.
Worship
John 4:23, "The true worshipper shall worship the Father in spirit and truth."
O worship the King all glorious above
Gratefully His wonderful love
Our shielder and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of His might and sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail, Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.
Taken from Hymns for the Family of God
Father as we open Your Word, open our eyes to see what areas we need to work on and how You want us to live our lives for You, In Jesus Name Amen.
John 4:23-24, "But the time is coming and is already here when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit , so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
This story is all about how Jesus the Son of God came to meet this lady in a situation that should not have happened, but our God doesn't look at the outward appearance but to the heart of who a person is. This lady was shocked at Jesus talking to her in fact John 4:9 says, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink? Jesus response to this was, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." What did Jesus mean by living water? In the Old Testament, many verses speak of thirsting after God as one thirsts after water (Psalm 42:1; Isaiah 55:1; Jeremiah 2:13; Zechariah 13:1) God is called the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9) and the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 17:13).
In saying he would bring living water that could forever quench a person's thirst for God, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. Only the Messiah could give this gift that satisfied the soul's desire.
Today more than ever God is looking for people who will worship Him in Spirit and truth. Why is this you may ask? God is looking for worshippers a people who will worship Him because He knows that the soul can only be satisfied its hunger satisfied when it is in communion with the one who created it.
In order to Discover who Jesus is you must lay aside all your preconceived notions about Him and put them on a Cross and nail them there. The major difference between Christianity and other religions is that Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Life, He lived, He breathed, and yes He even died for you, for the world's sins He took them all up upon that Cross on that day; bearing them so that we could bear with each other in humility, love and unity with the result of the lost being brought into God's Kingdom and the Unity of the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit being achieved. No other god will save; no other philosophy will satisfy the innermost need that every person has. God has put an inborn need inside of you to know Him and to reject that in favor of anything else is plain out wrong, not even wrong but flat out intellectual and most importantly spiritual suicide. One thing that bugs me today is that people believe that Christians are spiritually immature because they go around and tell about there religion. How blind for the Cross-stands as the marker for our calendars A.D After the death of Jesus Christ. That mark stands as a testimony not only to the fact that Jesus was who He says He was but that He is still alive at work in those who believe in His Name. In order to Discover what a living relationship with Jesus is you must believe in His name to worship Him with your life. God is looking for people who will live out the Way of Life He has called us to in Christ Jesus not with just mere lip service, but with a heart devoted to worship in shouting in praising in every circumstance that He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Our King lives on inside of those who believe in Him who have died to self so that Christ would reign in their lives. Worship is a lifestyle.
In age and feebleness extreme,
Who shall a helpless worm redeem?
Jesus, my only hope Thou art,
Strength of my failing flesh and heart.
O, could I catch one smile from Thee,
And drop into eternity. (Taking from Charles Wesley, quoted in Sheppard W.J. Limmer Great Hymns and Their Stories.)
Matt Redman in his book "The unquenchable worshipper talking about John Wesley, "Here was a man who had spent his life on Jesus. Its evident even from this one hymn that he knew the friendship of the Lord. For Wesley, to live was Christ. And yet because he knew where he was going- or more specifically, to whom he was going-to die would be gain. "O, could I catch one smile from Thee, and drop into eternity""-the last words of an unsatisfied worshipper; the first of an unending worshipper."
Going back to the woman at the well in John 4:24-26, "The woman said, "I know the Messiah will come-the one who is called the Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus told her, "I am the Messiah." Jesus here asserts who He is in order to show this lady that He is indeed the Son of God by telling her that He was indeed the Son of God.
John 4:27-38, "Just after Jesus said this His disciples show up astonished to find him talking to this woman but none of them asked him why he was doing it or what they had been discussing. The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
Meanwhile the disciples were about to eat "No" he said, "I have food you don't know about." "Who brought it to him?" the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. Do you think that the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, "One person plants and someone else harvests.' And it's true. I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest."
God has called us to be Worshipers of Himself for in Worship His name is evoked causing Him to respond in the manner that He does by telling us the Way for He has already shown us the Way to live in Christ throughout His word from Genesis to Revelation it shows God's plan, and God's Will for mankind.
Our spiritual nourishment comes as we worship Him not just at church but here on the internet by serving Him and our fellow brothers and sisters in fact we are told to serve the church throughout the New Testament to serve each other, and to bear each others burdens so lets do it.
Lets worship the Lord with hearts full of Praise and gladness not out of obligation but out of love serving each other so that souls would be won for the Kingdom and the Unity of the Spirit would be established around the world. The wages Jesus offerss are the joy of working for him and seeing the harvest of believers.
Theses wages come to planter and harvester alike because both find joy in seeing new believers come into christs Kingdom. The phrase "others had done there work" may refer to the Old Testament prophets and to John the Baptist wh paved the way for the Good News. Truly the message we as Christians who are born again by the Holy Spirit baptized into the family of Jesus Christ is Good News not of rules but of Good News. We have a job to share the Good News around the World.
May we be found faithful unto Jesus for living out a life full of Discovery and Worship with our lives. Worship the Lord with gladness Amen.
If you don't have a relationship with Jesus and would like to have one all you have to do is Believe and Accept what He did on the Cross. Tommorow and Friday we will focus on Discovering what it means to have an intimate relationship with Jesus.
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Date: Dec 5, 2002, THURSDAY SERVICE: NEW TESTAMENT
Let's Advance the Kingdom of God Together!
We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here We declare that the Kingdom of God is here Among you Among you Among you Among you
Among you Among you Among you Among you
The blind see, the deaf hear,
The lame men are walking, sickness must flee at His voice The dead live again and the poor hear the good news Messiah is King so rejoice!
Go ahead! You should know the routine by now. E-mail, IM, phone, write or even go visit someone in your Group to ask them how they're doing and if there's anything you could pray about for them.
Lord, we thank You that you have Called Us to Be Your Children, we ask that You would Lead and Guide Us In Your Word and allow Us to Go, Do and Be All that You have Created Us for in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Do not be conformed to this world - this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs. But be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind - by it's new ideals and it's new attitude - so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
- Romans 12:2
As we travel along on this "Spiritual Journey" of ours I'm hope that you All realize by now that God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us.
Whenever any one asks me how to find out what God's Will Is for their Life I automatically point them to the Word of God and especially to the Book of Ephesians, because as much as the Gospel of John was written, so that we might Believe on the Son of God, Jesus as Our Lord and Savior, Ephesians tells Us Who We Are In Him and the Book of Acts lets us know how the Holy Spirit of God Living In and Through Us wants to make us All Witnesses unto the Nations!
In this message we are going to take just one small step along the Roman Road, but one Giant Leap for mankind. Jesus not only died on the Cross at Calvary for our sins and to bring us All back into a right relationship with Our Father Who Art In Heaven, but we are here to Live His Life for Him and It Is An Abundant Life In Jesus' Name! Do you remember the "Transformer" toys for kids that were popular several years ago? God wants to take us from this mundane, superficial life and change us into super-human "Spiritual" powerhouses to show that Jesus Is Risen from the dead! I've said this before, but it needs repeating, "The Spirit World is far more real than the natural. This World is fading away, but the things of God are Eternal and His Word will Never Pass AWay!"
We need to start seeing things as God sees them, so put on your "Spiritual" reading glasses and get into the Word of God daily, because our ideals and attitudes need to come in line with God's Will and Way! Like Paul the Apostle we must beat our bodies daily into submission to bring every thought and action into God's perspective. Do you realize that Jesus did EVERYTHING that the Father asked Him to do when He walked this Earth? As Jesus Is On This Earth, so Are We! This is definitely Not a cake walk, but the Christian Walk and Way Is Obedience to God, His Word and Way under the Leadership and Guidance of His Holy Spirit Working In and Through every fiber of our being. The Holy Spirit's job is to bring Us to Jesus Who has promised to "make" Us Perfect and Complete In the Father's eyes. The Word of God Is Spirit and Life, so without it what do we really have? Nothing! How do you see yourself? God sees you Holy, Blameless and Pure In His Sight!
I certainly don't consider myself a perfectionist, but like Joan Rivers asks, "Can we talk?" Let God be True and Every Man (Woman and Child) a liar! In Jesus You Are Perfect! Forget about your own personal feelings and emotions, because God Is Greater than all of your fears. Are you hiding behind the luggage, fleeing like Jonah? Come to the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit and allow Him to "Make" You who you were really Created In Christ Jesus to Be (forgive me, but this reminds me of what little William Shakespeare I know, "To Be or Not to Be! That Is the Question.)! Are You Willing to Be All that God has Created You for? Do You "Really" want to "Know" what His Perfect and Acceptable Will Is for Your Life In Christ Jesus? Then read our opening Scripture, get Into the Word of God and most importantly, Allow the Word of God to Get Into YOU!
If you have never accepted Jesus Into Your Heart and Life as Your Personal Lord and Savior then All You Need do is to repent of Your sin, ask Him to Forgive You, to have Him Come Into Your Life In the Person of the Holy Spirit and then Grow In the Grace and Knowledge of Him by spending daily time In His Word, prayer and the communion and fellowship of other Believers.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: messianic service
Greetings everyone in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and welcome to the Friday's Messianic Service for ServantsofGrace Christian Fellowship for Friday 6th,2002.
Day #3 of Knowing God's Purpose of your life: Intimacy through trials.
Invocation:
Heavenly Father as we enter into Your Presence tonight may You be glorified in our lives by the way we draw near to You in the midst of our weakness Father.
Strengthen us as we walk with You so that we would be full of You and not full of ourselves. Be glorified through everything that is said in Your Name Amen.
Worship
He is the Savior of My soul
Isaiah 61:10, "My soul shall be joyful in my God."
He is the Savior of my soul, My Jesus,
My Jesus He's the Savior of my soul,
He's the Savior of my soul. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. He's the Savior of my soul, He's the Savior of my soul.
Christ is Crucified Anew
Not only once, and long ago,
There on Golgotha's side,
Has Christ, the Lord, been crucified
Because He loved a lost worlds so,
But hourly souls, sin-satisfied,
Mock His great love, flout His commands.
And I drive nails deep in His hands.
You thrust the spear within His Side.
Written by John Richard Moreland
All hymns taken from Hymns for the family of God
Day 3 Intimacy through Trials
Genesis 22: 9-11,"When they arrived at the place where God had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood. 10And Abraham took the knife and lifted it up to kill his son as a sacrifice to the LORD. 11At that moment the angel of the LORD shouted to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes," he answered. "I'm listening."
Has there ever been a time in your life where you have felt like everything was about to cave in like everything you did was wrong? I cannot imagine having to give up my only son which I don't have any kids so I am talking hypothetically here but if I did I could not imagine sacrificing them or even attempting to sacrifice them. Get a picture of this here the agony which the Bible does not talk about but think of a time when you have agonized over something that really meant a lot to you. Abraham's faith was being tested here obviously but there is a much deeper spiritual meaning which Abraham would not have known. Abraham sacrifice pareled Christ's sacrifice on the Cross for our own sins.
Hebrews 11:17-19, "It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18though God had promised him, "Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted."[3] 19Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead."
Abraham had full faith in his God because He knew that He would knew leave nor forsake Him that His Word was true and even if his son Isaac were to die his faith would be tested and God's promise would be revealed to him. The closer we get to the Lord as we worship Him with our lives we must sacrifice and submit even more of our lives to Him. While the outcome of this story is known that the Angel of the Lord saves Abraham from killing his son his faith and even more so Abraham's relationship with the Lord was shown by how close Abraham was. How we respond in the times of greatest trials shows how great our character really is. It shows whether it is weak, it shows where we need to improve. Each of us has areas where we can improve but as we trust in the Messiah the Anointed One of God we come to a full realization that like Abraham that we can trust God even in the worst situations we can present ourselves not as a people without a hope, but as a people who have a hope in Jesus. The Father seeks worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth who will abandon there agenda for His Agenda of the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. Will you join in on His Plan and His Purpose for mankind? He has a plan for you for me to build together to discover truly what a living relationship with Jesus is. He is the Way no other Way can be found except through the Son of God who took your place as the Lamb did in the story of Abraham for Isaac. True faith is built not within the confines of reading books about God, but in the reality of following Christ in the hard times when things aren't going well our faith and most importantly our character shines through.
Are you going through a trial today? Our God wants to strengthen you He has a plan to accomplish His Will through you even in the midst of this trial you are going through. He wants you to draw near to Him in humility to strengthen you through your weakness so that you would be strong not falling away from the truth but living in the full reality of Discovery of who God is. As we Discover more who God is the more it ought to drive us to worship Him in intimacy in recognition of our needs but even more so in the full reality of our own desperate state that we can do nothing apart from Him who is our strong tower.
Evelyn Underhill said, "Thus worship purifies, enlightens, and at last transforms, every life submitted to its influence; and this not merely in the ethical or devotional sense. It does all this, because it wakes up and liberates that seed of supernatural life, in virtue of which we are spiritual beings, capable of responding to that God who is Spirit; and which indeed gives to humanity a certain mysterious kinship with Him. Worship is therefore in the deepest sense creative and redemptive. Keeping us in constant remembrance of the unchanging and the Holy, it cleanses us of subjectivism, releases us from 'use and wont' and makes us realists. God's invitation to it and man's response, however limited, crude or mistaken this response may be, are the appointed means whereby we move towards our true destiny." Worship changes us it moves our affections to want to be new to want to be different, so that we can make a difference with our time here on earth, and so that we may be in the place where our hearts long to be in heaven. Our faith is tried and tested in intimacy through the trials we go through so that we can be presented to God as holy and approved not lacking anything but fully recognizing the richness of Jesus who is at work in the midst of our lives. Intimacy with the Lord comes as we worship Him through the midst our trials. This strengthens the reality of our faith so that we will be more like Him and less like ourselves.
Closing Song
Thank You Jesus
For Your blood
Thank You Father for what You have done
To make me more like You I pray
Through the trials and through the pain
I pray that I would be all that You want me to be. Amen
If you don't know Jesus all you have to do is accept and believe what He did on the Cross is true. If you accepted Him today I would love to hear about it.
Please email me at [email protected]
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Subject: TUESDAY SERVICE: OT
WORSHIP:
The Lord Is My Shepherd I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters
He restoreth my soul
And guides my path in righteousness for His Name's sake
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death, I will not fear
Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff
They comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Surely goodness and loving kindness
Will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever and ever and ever.
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death, I will not fear
Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff
They comfort me.
Thou anointest my head with oil
My cup's overflowing.
The Lord Is My Shepherd I shall not want
THE WORD:
For I know the thought and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me; when you search for Me with all your heart,
I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you again to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive.
- Jeremiah 29:11-14
Do you know the thoughts and plans that God has for you? His "Way" is not AlWays our "way" and certainly His thoughts are far beyond all of our wildest imaginings, but God has a plan and purpose for everything that happens in your Life and it's perfect for you. Oh, you might not think it now, feel it or even "believe" that His Word Is True in regards to certain circumstances and situations, but as you grow In His Grace and Mercy you'll find a glimmer of "Hope" in your final outcome. His "Peace" (Jesus Is Our Peace) Is the Master's "Plan" for our Life and He surpasses All of our understanding.
Have you dropped a dime to the Lord lately? Oh, sure you e-mailed your friends (there is a "Friend" Who sticks closer than a Brother or Sister), IMed them to death, called someone on the phone to chat (don't even get me started on Christian or any other kind of "chat" rooms on the WWW), but have you called upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ Today? Have you spent time in prayer?
Paul exhorts us as Believers to Pray continually (or continuously), but surveys say that the "average" Christian (should we as "Believers" ever be average?) only prays 3 minutes a day. Nobody is suggestion that you lock yourself in some monastery somewhere, take a vow of silence, hit the floor and pray 24/7, but we should be practicing His Presence In and Through Our Lives With Every Breath We Take. Have you heard the song, "Make My Life A Prayer To You?" God hears and heeds us, He Knows our "every" thought word and deed before they even come to pass, but His Desire Is that we would Call upon His Name, "Come Unto Me," He says, "Ask and Receive!" We have had marvelous answers to prayers in this ministry throughout the World, so why is it that we don't continue to go before God's Throne of Grace on behalf of All the Saints and the lost souls?
My God Shall supply All of your Needs!
Have you sought Him as a "vital" necessity in your Life? Not for things, but for Him? Our Heavenly Father, Jesus the Shepherd of our souls and the Spirit of God that leads and guides us into All Truth and Understanding? Jesus said, "Seek and Ye Shall find!" (KJV) Oh sure!
Maybe you have found Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your Life, but are you growing In Him Daily?
Are you "more" of a man, woman or child of God than when you first believed? Has the seed that was planted In YOU been watered, planted in good soil? Are you rooted and grounded In His Word? Rise up to the sky!
Reach out to the SON! Abide In Him and bear much fruit (lasting fruit) for His Kingdom! We are commanded to Love the Lord our God will All of our mind, heart, soul, spirit, strength, to Love our neighbor as ourselves and to Love one another as Jesus Loves us! Yes, that Is a tall order, but it is through the Love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts that we can accomplish this task and when we do the World will know that we Are Christians. Love from your heart, love brothers, love sisters, love enemies and love strangers.
Some of you might remember the "I Found It" campaign that was big several years ago, but many responded, "I never lost it." There are people living in this World that don't know they're dead, those who are blind that think they see and some that are in bondage yet say, "I'm Free!" What has been driving you in your Life's decisions? Whose "plan" are you following? Man makes his plans, but God alters his steps. When Jesus rose from the grave He led captivity captive! What does that mean? By becoming a bond-slave to Him we are released from sin and death Forever! He said, "My Word shall set you Free," but, "He who the Son sets Free Is Free Indeed!" When God speaks "Salvation!" to your heart and you believe and receive His Spirit Into your heart that is "only" the BEGINNING! If you get a hold of God's Word and really allow Jesus to get a hold on YOU then He Will touch and heal every area of your Life In Him (mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, sexually) gather you under His Wings as a mother hen gathers up her chicks from wherever you have been scattered, take you unto Himself and completely (totally) redeem (restore) you again to your Rightful Place In Him! Won't you Allow Him to bring you to that Place In Him Today? Why not let Him carry you aWay In His Loving Arms? He Loves YOU, He Really and Truly does!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: Day #4 Community of Love
Date: Wed, Dec 11, 2002
Invocation
Heavenly Father as we worship You open our hearts and as we read Your Word open our eyes to see You clearly at work in our lives, In Jesus Name Amen.
Worship
O Worship the King of all Kings
For He alone is God
I will worship
Him who died for my sins
So that I could have life in Him.
O love that will not let me go
The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light. Isaiah 60:19 O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe that in Thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way, I yield my flicking torch to Thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, and feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be.
O joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and from the ground there blossoms red, Life that shall endless be. Amen.
(Taken from Hymns for the family of God)
Day #4 A Community of Love
Psalm 16:11, "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."
I personally love this verse it is truly one of my favorites in the whole Bible because King David is saying is that God will show us the way of life that He wants us to live and as a result of Him showing us that we will experience the joy of His presence and living with Him forever.
Can there be anything greater than this?
The cause and effect of this poem really catches my eye. At first David says keep me safe, o God, for I have come to you for refuge.(Line 1) There is a certain sense of safety here established between King David and the Lord. The reason for that is because David has close personally companionship with his God.
David has learned the secret of Jesus teaching in John 15 of abiding in Christ and here in this verse he is expressing that devotion that no other god will please but the Lord God. How is your life going? By asking that question what I mean is are you struggling with some issue that God wants to deal with you about. God has a great plan for your life the cause of which is eternal life in a relationship with Jesus or the effect is eternal damnation. Now I want to say this that our God is a God of Mercy. He wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth so that each person would know Him intimately so that they would know how His heart beats for Unity and especially for the Salvation of the Lost.
I am sure there have been times when many of you have felt you have just wanted to give up to abandon this life of Christianity but perhaps there are some here reading this letter who even feel discouraged, or distraught about life.
God has called us to a way of life for He is the Life, and the Way to salvation so that we may experience in community together the love of God in Christ.
Community is formed together in this case here online by posting, by allowing us into your lives in fact we are told to do this repeatedly in the New Testament to bear each others burdens to do this and do that so that community will be fostered and most importantly the love of God will be demonstrated here around us. To those who have more knowledge about God you are responsible for that knowledge to God and real knowledge without a heart is no knowledge at all because true knowledge affects a person's heart felt convictions and will spur them towards Christ not away from Him. In a world full of no certain Christianity stands out as a beckon of hope to the hurting, suffering and broken hearted but many have been rejected by Christians because of there false sense of what love really is. God has said that He is love that He wants no person to suffer eternal torment but that in His Sovernity He has put hell there to show how serious He really is about us about how much He longs for us to have true life and meaning in Him together as a community so that we would experience together this wonderful way of life He has called us to live.
Growing up in the church many told me David you need to do this and that to be a good Christian but over the years the Holy Spirit has firmly placed this message of the Way of Life in me because He wants every single person to experience it. Now by saying the way of life I'm not meaning some extra ordinary spiritual experience but just sitting at Jesus feet, listening to His Voice and experiencing His power working through you. People who are dedicated to being real and getting messy with each other form community. I hope you are dedicated to being real and getting messy because I am. I have walked the streets in Manila, Philippines where there are over 30,000 street children, I have stayed in a street kid's home. I have seen the poor houses in Tijuana, Mexico and seen the affects of persecution around the world for the furthermost of the Gospel. As I sat in the street kids home and walked around where they lived literally right on the railroad tracks in my spirit I was deeply broken because these people's lives well they don't have the same freedom's we have, they don't have the same privileges as we do, but in more ways than not I envy them. I envy them because they truly have to give up everything to follow Jesus and to accept His way of Life. There was another time in the Philippines on the first day of ministry there at the Camp we were at were 95% of the kids came forward to receive Christ in fact they didn't' just walk up there to receive Christ they ran forward with open hearts receiving what Jesus had done for them. It simply amazed me how many times in America have you seen people literally run forward receiving Jesus into there hearts? That time in the Philippines greatly shaped me and God put an even greater burden on my heart to reach out to the world those who were lost and especially to bring Unity to the Body of Christ. My point here is simply is that God has given us life to life in Him not for ourselves but for His pleasure so that we can grow in Him and discover the meaning and the purpose of our lives.
Truly a way of life could be characterized by Growth in Jesus a life dedicated to knowing to being all that He wants you to be.
Here is a little chart to see how you are doing in your relationship with Jesus:
Are you reading your bible daily?
Are you praying for the lost around the world? Are you praying for Unity in the body of Christ? Are you ministry driven?
God has a plan and a purpose for each of us to grow into so that we will truly all know the way of Life in which He wants us to live, and most importantly to enjoy His presence. Truly as we love each other as God loves us we form a community of love of growth together so that we would be all that He wants us to be.
If something here touched you I would love to hear about it. You can either respond in the group or email me personally at [email protected]
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Subject: day #5 Going out of your comfort zones
Hello everyone and welcome to the Thursday Service New Testament Service for Servantsofgrace Christian Fellowship December 12th, 2002. Please go to the members section of the group you are in and email five people above and below you in the group.
Announcements
If you haven't had a chance I would like each of you to check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship the home of The Simple Church Fellowship Ministries.
We are looking for people all around the world to be involved in serving God within this ministry. If you have a desire to serve God and are wanting to be involved in serving Him then please go to http://community.webtv.net/thefaithfulsource/WELCOMETOFAITHFUL and contact us.
Invocation
Heavenly Father as we open Your Word open our eyes and help us to walk more in You and less of ourselves. Lord help us to walk out of our comfort zones so that we may live wholly for You and less for ourselves.
Worship
Tell me the stories of Jesus
I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Philippines 3:8
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear; Things I would ask Him to tell me If He were here Scenes by the wayside, Tales of the sea, Stories of Jesus, Tel them to me.
First let me hear how the children Stood 'round His knee, I shall imagine His blessing Resting on me; Words full of kindness, Deeds full of grace, All in the brightness of Jesus' face. Into the city I'd follow The children's band, Waving a branch of the palm tree High in my hand; One of His heralds, Yes, I would sing Loudest hosannas, Jesus is King!
His Name is wonderful
Which is, and which was, and which is to come, The Almighty. Revelation 1:8
His name is Wonderful, His Name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord; He is the mighty King, Master of everything, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord. He's the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He; Bow down before Him, and Love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.
All Hymns taken from hymns for the family of God.
Day #5 Going outside of our comfort zones Luke 17:11-17, "As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" He fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?"
God has a plan and a purpose for each of us to achieve His plan of Salvation and Unity in the Body of Christ. In these few verses we see Jesus Christ the Son of God at work; rewarding the man who came back to Him because he went out of his way to show Jesus that he was thankful. God goes out of His way for us but do we go out of our way for God? The problem today with Christianity in North America and especially the United States is that Christians are more interested in achieving there goals rather than really living and sacrificing there agenda for spiritual growth. The man that was healed was an outcast in his society yet he didn't care he went to Jesus. This man was also a leper, which would have also made him an outcast. People who had leprosy were required to try to stay away from other people and to announce their presence if they had to come near. Sometimes leprosy went into remission.
If a leper thought his leprosy had gone away; he was supposed to present himself to a priest who could declare him clean (Leviticus 14) Jesus sent the 10 lepers to the priest before they were healed-and they went! They responded in faith, and Jesus healed them on the way.
These people went out of their way because Jesus went out of His way to heal them. The response to these people of faith should characterize our Christian lives as well.
If you have put your trust in Jesus and given your life over to Him then your life should also be like these lepers who were healed as they went to see a priest because they responded in faith to what God had told them to do. Really the test of spiritual maturity is this if you are putting yourself in situations where you are not comfortable and throwing yourself into them. There was a time when I was in the Philippines where I felt very sick and missed a day of ministry for a day of relaxing which was very self centered of me. Instead of helping build a village I choose to sit on a bed reading a book while the rest of my team members were out in the field working building a fortified wall so that the floods wouldn't overtake the village. The reason why I'm sharing this story is because we all have self centered moments but the difference is that I repented of it, but most of the people in these groups don't post they only receive they don't respond in faith even when God is calling each and every single one of us members of His Church to be involved in posting in sharing what the Lord is doing in each others lives. 1st Thessalonians 5:14, "Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who re timid. Take tender care of those who are weak.
Be patient with everyone." Yesterday I talked about a community of love and growth, but in community there is bound to be problems such as we have now in not sharing what the Lord is doing in each other lives. You can only be real when you yourself have chosen to be real with others around you. I have seen people set free from addictions only as they have opened up to God and seen what that addiction has really done to them, and the same is true here if you really want to grow in Christ then its time to get real and be open sharing what the Lord is doing. Everyone makes mistakes but the beauty of the Gospel is that Jesus still loves us even when we mess up because He has sent His Son to die for us on the Cross so that we could have life in all its fullness. Let us encourage each other, and build each other up in these Christian E fellowship groups so that we will be one together under Christ the Head of the Church. It is not about what we believe but our common ties to Jesus that bring us together in unity in Christ that matters the most. We must go outside of ourselves and seek not our own agenda but like Jesus and the lepers stretch ourselves outside of our own agenda and seek His Agenda for the church, and for every single man around the world. Then we will be a people born with passion with desire to be a p people known for going out of comfort zones to accomplish God's agenda.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father may You help us to become people who go outside of our comfort zones to accomplish Your will here on earth Lord. Help us to reach out to the hurting and the struggling Lord so that they may be brought into a relationship with Jesus who will make them whole, In Jesus Name Amen.
If something touched you here today and you would like to talk about it please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected] I would love to talk to you.
Tomorrow we will look further at what grows really means.
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Date: Fri, Dec 13, 2002, Subject: MESSIANIC SERVICE
Shabbat Shalom! God's Sabbath Peace to each and ever one of our Members around the World in the Name of Yeshua/Jesus Our Lord, Savior, Messiah and Coming King! Let's Worship the Lord In Spirit and Truth!
A RESTING PLACE
My soul finds rest in God alone. My peace depends on Him And in that place of quiet rest. He fills me from within He pours on me His Holy oil. The Spirit of the living God Then He takes me by His hand, and comforts me with His love He comforts me with His love.
Those who wait upon the Lord new strength He gives to them He gives them wings like the eagle so they might soar with Him He weaves His strength into their lives, The Spirit of the living God Then He gives them all of His peace to guard their hearts and their minds, Guarding their hearts and their minds.
Come my soul and take your rest and find you peace in Him The Holy presence of the Lord that fills you from within O pour on me Your Holy oil Spirit of the living God Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up until I overflow.
Greet one another with a Holy kiss!
E-mail or IM some one today, ask them if there's anything you could pray about for them and encourage one another in your walk with the Lord Jesus/Yeshua the Anointed One.
Prayer: Father God in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua, Your One and Only
Begotten Son, We ask that you would speak to our hearts and minds through Your Word, Fill Us with Your Holy Spirit, Grow Us Daily In Your Grace and Guide Us In Your Perfect Will and Way In the Name of Yeshua/Jesus we pray. Amen.
THE WORD:
Now when [the apostles] had borne their testimony and preached the message of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem, proclaiming the glad tidings (Gospel) to many villages of the Samaritan's [on the way].
But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and proceed southward at midday on the road that runs from Jerusalem down to Gaza. This is the desert [route].
- Acts 8:25, 26
Jesus/Yeshua had planted seed in Samaria with the woman at Jacob's well, it was there that He proclaimed to the disciples that the harvest was ready and now that He ascended to the Father and poured out His Holy Spirit on All flesh the apostles were reaping a revival, but God called Philip the Evangelist out to a desert road in the middle of the afternoon. Would you have gone out in the heat of the day along a desert road when you were an Evangelist having a revival in Samaria? OK! I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say, "Reluctantly!"
In obedience Philip got up and went. And, behold! I'm going to stop here, because there are plenty of "beholds" in the Word of God which usually represent an immediate action to look at intently and feast your eyes upon something or someone that God is showing us. It just so happens that right in front of Philip is this Ethiopian eunuch, of great authority under Candice the queen, who was in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship. Coincidence? I don't think so. This is more of what we call a "divine appointment" and if Philip didn't listen to what that angel of the Lord had told him he would have missed it.
Do you know people who go to Church, Synagogue, Temple, Mosque or commune with nature to worship, but do not have a personal relationship with the Living God? This man obviously was religious, because he happened to be sitting in his chariot reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. Imagine the Spirit of God telling you to walk up to some stretch limo. This is exactly what was happening to Philip and when he heard the man reading asked, "Do you know what you're reading?" Before we go any further let me ask, "Do you ever read the Word of God out loud?" Faith comes by "hearing" and "hearing" by the Word of God. It is only by the Spirit of God and His drawing us to the Father through the Son that our ears are open to hear His Word, eyes open to see the Way, mind's open to understand, heart's open to Love with the Love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts and we become Spiritually Alive!
This Ethiopian man asks, "How is it possible for me to understand unless some one explains it to me and guides me [in the right way]?" This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit! It's His "job" to lead and guide us as Believers into All Truth and Understanding!
Like a sheep He was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so He opens not His mouth.
In His humiliation He was taken away by distressing and oppressive judgement, and justice was denied Him (caused to cease). Who can describe or relate in full the wickedness of His contemporaries (generation)? For His life is taken from the earth and a bloody death inflicted upon Him. [Isa. 53:7, 8.]
- Acts 8:32, 33
These are the two verses of Scripture that this man was reading and the Word of God tells us:
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this portion of Scripture he announced to him the glad tidings (Gospel) of Jesus/Yeshua and about [Him].
- Acts 8:35
As Believers In Jesus/Yeshua being the Son of God are you able to take any Scripture in Old Covenant or New and preach "Christ/Messiah?" Jesus/Yeshua Is the Living Word of God and the Written Word of God speaks ultimately of Him!
With Christmas/Messiahmas right around the corner each and every one of us should be able to tell the World the Good News (the Glad Tidings of God sending His Son to bring Salvation, Peace, Love and Joy to the World)!
If you believe with all your heart [that is, if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus/Yeshua is the Messiah, and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may be baptized and the Ethiopian said, "I do believe that Jesus/Yeshua Christ/Messiah is the Son of God!" Philip baptized him in water, the eunuch saw him no more, and he went his way rejoicing. Afterwards Philip was at Azotus, and passing on he preached the good news (Gospel) to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Later we read of Philip's daughters prophesying, so the beat goes on! Let us all be move diligent in sharing our Faith, proclaiming the Word, Loving one another and being obedient to the Lord's leading and guiding us In His Will and Way! As a Ministry let us preach Jesus/Yeshua unto All Nations and Peoples!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Dec 15, 2002, SUNDAY SERVICE
Welcome every one to this Sunday Simple Church Christian E-Fellowship Church Service. Let's enter into Worship!
GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
Whom have I in heaven but You?
There is nothing on earth I desire besides You. My heart and my strength, many times they fail But there is one truth that always will prevail
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart
God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
Love, love, love, love
The gospel in a word is love
Love the Lord with all you heart
For God is love.
Love, love, love, love
Yeshua/Jesus died for us, for love
That we would live a life of love
For God is love
THANKS BE TO GOD
Thanks be to God Who leads us in His triumph Thanks be to God Who's got the victory
We have overcome the world by the blood of the Lamb And loving not our lives Even unto death, The word of our testimony tells the world about His love
As we shout unto the nations:
"He is coming back! He is coming back!"
Through the blood of our Savior
We are set free from the curse
Jesus is the one and only lasting sacrifice He has conquered satan's power
No more shall we be ashamed
Just as He defeated death, we shall never die, No we shall never die.
OK, Everybody go around the room and greet one another In the Love of the Lord Jesus. He Is Our Portion and Strength!
We Are His People the Sheep of His Pasture. E-mail or IM some one right now and pray for one another.
Lord, we come to you now In the Name of Jesus and ask that in our weakness you will show your strength. Speak to our hearts and minds through your Word and draw us ever closer to You. Amen.
Pastor David has asked me to speak on Acts 2:14-41, so for the sake of time and space (areas that only us mere mortals need tangle with) I won't be writing out this portion of Scripture verse for verse and will only be covering key passages of the text, but hope you will read through this section and seek the Lord's Will as it pertains to your Life In Him.
With God's Holy Spirit being poured out upon All flesh, Peter stands to address the crowd in Jerusalem at Pentecost to explain what is happening, so that All may "know" and "understand" and he asks that they listen closely to what he has to say. At 9 am in the morning he's expounding upon the Truth of God's Word coming Alive to All Believers Everywhere through the prophecy of Joel.
The Word of God is of no use to anyone without the Spirit of God quickening us to act upon it in our human flesh here and now. How many people do you know who have a Bible or 12 and don't apply it's teachings in their everyday lives. Are YOU as a Believer telling forth the divine counsels, seeing divinely granted appearances or dreaming divinely suggested dreams? Listen to me Every One of YOU Every Where In the World that this Word of God Is Going Forth, "God Is Calling Each and Every Member of His Body Into ACTION! Men, women and children, young or old should be speaking forth the things of God pertaining especially to His Kingdom (which Is Righteousness, Peace and Joy In the Holy Ghost). We Have the GOOD NEWS! Jesus Is Coming Again SOON and "whosoever" shall invoke, adore and worship the Lord (Christ) - shall be saved! As much as Jesus was accredited, pointed out, shown forth, commended and attested to you by God, He wants to use YOU to reach All Nations and Peoples with His Love Today! Jesus was crucified, died and resurrected, so that we could live His abundant Life here and now right into All Eternity with the Hope of Glory (His Holy Spirit) living, moving and having His "Being" In US and working daily through US, so that we could tell the World about what God has done, can do and will do in the lives of others! When we're "real" with God then He Will use Us to touch other's hearts and lives. I do want to say here and now that we "MUST" reach others with God's Spirit of Love. When the crowd heard what Peter had to say they were stung (cut) to the heart (not beaten down, clubbed over the head with the family Bible or force fed God's Word until they choked to death on it).
We have to be attentive, sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit in our own personal lives and aware of how He's dealing with others. Do we get people to change their views and accept the will of God in their inner selves instead of rejecting it? Are we encouraging Every One to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release of their sins, so that they can receive the Greatest Gift of All, God's Holy Spirit Into their Hearts and Lives? The "Promise" of God's Holy Spirit (along with All of His Fulness and Blessing) Is "To" and "For" YOU, your children, and to and for All that are far away (to the outermost regions of this world that we live in). All of God's Promises are Yes and Amen In Jesus! The Lord our God invites and bids All to come to Himself! Jesus said, "Come Unto ME "ALL" who are weary and heavy laden and I Will Give YOU Rest!" This Is a crooked, perverse, wicked and unjust generation, but it Is Our generation and God has Called Us ALL to reach it In His Name and by the Power of His Might (not our own). Let US ALL be a witness, to testify, admonish, exhort with much more continuous speaking and warn, reprove, advise and encourage one another while it is still called "Today," so that Jesus will use us to build His Church and add souls to It daily.
May the Lord bless and keep you, go before you in All things pertaining to His Perfect and Acceptable Will for Your Life In Him and Surely His Goodness and Tender Mercies Shall Follow YOU All the days of YOUR Life.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Dec 17, 2002,
Subject: Day #6 living beyond yourself
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him... My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song" (Psalm 28:7)
----------
Hey everyone:
Make sure you greet one another by emailing them or contacting them via
messenger. We are the Body of Christ we are called to love each other as
Christ loved us, so lets do it.
Invocation
Heavenly Father as we open Your Word, and worship You; may You open our
eyes Jesus to the reality of living beyond ourselves in worshipping you
with the way we live. Amen
Worship
The Heart Of Worship (Matt Redman)
When the music fades, all is stripped away, And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song,
For a song in itself,
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within,
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'M COMING BACK TO THE HEART OF WORSHIP
IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU, IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS I'M SORRY LORD FOR THE THING I'VE MADE IT WHEN IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU, IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS
King of endless worth, no one could express, How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours, Every single breath
©1997 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) All rights reserved.
Day #6 Living Beyond yourself
Philippians 2:1-4, "Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?
Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your
hearts tender and sympathetic? 2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together
with one heart and purpose.
3Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.
4Don't think only about
your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing."
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable
Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
In life each and every single one of us has problems,
but God is
able to touch us in the midst of those problems reaching beyond Himself to
touch our lives so that we can live beyond ourselves. Have you gone beyond
yourself lately to help another person, or even to love another person that
you thought would be unlovable? God goes beyond Himself everyday to touch
us to reach into our worlds and to conform us into the image of Christ. God
is doing a work in those who have believed in Him to stretch them beyond
being in the self and to be in the Spirit.
Truly a Spirit filled person
will renounce their old ways and adapt to the new ways. Yesterday I was
pacing back and forth at the bus stop thinking about a lot of stuff going
on in my life but then this thought crept into my mind that its all done
with I don't need to worry anymore about this because God has already taken
care of it, it was there in my life because I choose for it to still be
there and yet at the same time in that moment I felt God's awesome peace
surround me as I submitted more to Him.
In community each of us make mistakes but the cool
thing is that we
are to forgive each other to love each other just as Christ loves us. We
are a work in progress, God is not done with us and we must forgive each
other our trespasses against each other if we are to move away from being
centered on ourselves and moving ahead towards the prize set before us by
Christ. In order to live beyond ourselves we must cast aside our old nature
totally putting it to death for Christ died for our sins already, and when
we turn back to our old way of life; we are basically saying forget you
Jesus yet God still reaches out His hand of mercy to us saying I love you
my child come to me I will give you rest for your weary bones. See we must
rest in the Lord and trust in His promises because He never lies we can
hold onto His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us because in
His eternal plan and purpose is for us to reach beyond ourselves to live
beyond ourselves so that we will impact the area around us for Jesus, and
bring about the Unity of the Spirit and the Salvation of the Lost. The truth is that the Word of God is still just as relevant as it was 2,000
years ago as it is today and we who believe in Jesus need to hold close to
His promises and not live for ourselves as many Christians do which is a
crying shame to the Name of Jesus but love each other, encourage each other
so that we can fellowship with each other and as a result live beyond ourselves for the eternal pleasure of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Closing
If you felt something stir in your life as you read anything here please
don't let that stirring go unmet. There are a lot of people here that would
love to talk to you, so please if you felt lead to you can either respond
to the post, or email me personally at [email protected] . I am
here for each of you.
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Teaching the Body of Christ the Word of God; reaching the Lost, mending the
broken hearted. God's ultimate agenda is the Unity of the Body of Christ
and the Salvation of the Lost. What part are you playing in His Agenda?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simplechurchfellowship
Date: Thu, Dec 19, 2002, NT SERVICE
His blessings to all as we enter into His Presence to Worship Him Who Is Worthy of All Glory, Honor and Praise!
THE LORD REIGNS
The Lord reigns, The Lord reigns, The Lord reigns Let the earth rejoice, Let the earth rejoice, Let the earth rejoice Let the people be glad that our God reigns!
The heavens declare His righteousness
The people see HIs Glory
For You O Lord are exalted over all the earth Over all the earth
I hope you all know and understand that Jesus reigns over All and there is "nothing" above Him. His Is the Name above All names, so let Him rule and reign in your heart and Life Today and always into eternity! Be Ye Glad! May the Joy of the Lord fill you to overflowing.
Allow Him to touch your eyes, so that you can actually "see" His Glory, because It Is Over All of the Earth and working In and Through You!
Father God, I thank You that You have given us Your Name, Your Word and Your Glory. We ask that you speak to our hearts and minds Today, so that we can exalt Your Holy Name In All the Earth. Let Your Holy Spirit flow to All of Your People Everywhere to bring healing to the Nations In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Think over these things I am saying - understand them and grasp their application - for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything.
- 2 Timothy 2:7
Although Paul the Apostle spoke (and wrote down) words of Wisdom that have echoed in the hearts of men throughout the ages, we as Believers "must" under stand that he only was being obedient to the Call of God on his Life and was being moved upon by the "same" Holy Spirit Who Lives and Moves and Has His Being In US! There is absolutely "NOTHING" more powerful and useful to us as Christians than the very Word of God to be taken into our lives daily and put into application towards others.
This Is Our Calling and Purpose for living! As Jesus manifested the complete and total essence of the Father by obeying HIs Perfect and Acceptable Will for His Life, Death and Resurrection, We Are Also to bring the Essence of Christ Everywhere We Go and "GO" we are commanded to do. Every single Word of God Is From the Father and Directed to Your Heart and Life to benefit the lives of others, so read "God's Love Letter To YOU," meditate on that Word and Think Over These Things That The Great I AM Is Saying To YOU. One of the most powerful sentences ever written is out of the Book of Hebrews and says, "God has Spoken!"
He's speaking to us all day and every day, but we need to listen. He who has ears to hear let them hear! Even in the deepest, darkest place of silence God speaks in His Still, Soft Voice to our hearts and minds In Christ Jesus, but unless we are quickened by The Holy Spirit working in our lives the Bible is just black (or red) letters printed on paper. God wants to write on your heart and allow you to completely and totally understand and grasp His Will and Way for Your Life In Him. It Is the "Job" of the Holy Spirit (Who Is the Third Person Of The Trinity) to lead and guide US Into ALL Truth and Understanding and it is our job to submit in obedience and above all "Love." Faith (I've said this before, but you'll hear it countless times again) is the "substance" of things hoped for.
Grasping the Spiritual Truth of Gods Word is far "more" real than anything we could ever experience through our natural sences. Above All else God wants us to "Know" Him, His Will, His Way, His tremendous Love for us and He Will Grant US "Full" Insight and Understanding In Everything! This Is His Word and God Can "NOT" Lie! Not now, Not Ever! He Is Faithful and True In ALL Things! Like Mary received the promise of Jesus into her heart and Life, kept and cherished it, do the same and be the Servant of God's Grace that He Calls US All To BE!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Please, keep Pastor David in your prayers as we will be meeting to discuss plans for this Ministry in 2003. Continue to pray for the Leadership here, our Churches and Orphanages in Africa and India, that the Lord Jesus would completely and totally have His Will and Way done in the lives of every Member here and that He Will Change the Hearts and Lives of All who will be touched by US in 2003 and into Eternity. GBY
Title. MESSIANIC SERVICE
Shalom! G-d's Peace, Wholeness and the Fulness of All His Blessings to Each and Every One Here. Let's Worship the Lord In His Spirit of Truth, Holiness and Love.
WORSHIP:
Take Me In (Dave Browning)
Take me past the outer courts and thru the holy place, Past the brazen altar;
Lord, I want to see Your face.
Pass me by the crowds of people,
And the priests who sing their praise;
I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness But it's on-ly found one place.
So take me in to the Holy of Ho-lies,
Take me in by the blood of the Lamb;
So take me in to the Holy of Ho-lies,
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am.
©1987 Glory Alleluia Music. (Admin. by Tempo Music Publications, Inc.) All rights reserved.
TAKE ME
Take me to Your Holy Place
Lord, I long to see You face to face
Walk within Your Love by Your Grace
Won't You shake me
From this complacency
I want to Be what You want me to Be
Open my eyes, so they can see
Me In You and You In Me
Written by Mark Tross
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
GREETING:
Take this time to e-mail, IM, write, phone or in any Way possible to contact some one in your Group, Church, family, friend, loved one or enemy with the Love of G-d and ask them if you can pray about something for them.
PRAYER:
Father, We Love You for Who You Are and How You Love Us! There Is No Greater Love than what Your Son, Jesus/Yeshua did for us on the Cross at Calvary. He laid down HIs Life, so that we could Live throughout Eternity with You and you have Called us "Friends." Help us Lord to Walk in the Light of Your Love Now and Forever In Jesus' Name. Amen.
THE WORD:
THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN
THE elderly elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) lady (Cyria) and her children, whom I truly love, and not only I but also all who are progressively learning to recognize and know and understand the Truth.
Because of the Truth which lives and stays on in our hearts and will be with us forever:
Grace (spiritual blessing), mercy and soul-peace will be with us, from G-d the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Father's Son, in all sincerity (truth) and love.
I was greatly delighted to find some of your chidren walking (living) in [the] Truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father [Himself]. And now I beg you, lady (Cyria), not as if I were issuing a new charge (injunction or command), but [simply recalling to your mind] the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
And what this love consists in is this, that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments - His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching.
This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love - guided by it and following it.
- 2 John 1-6
John the Beloved who gave us the Gospel of John, 3 Epistles and The Revelation surely knew Love in It's Purest Form. G-d Is Love and Jesus/Yeshua Is G-d! John walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him, drank with Him, slept with Him and even laid his head on the chest of Jesus/Yeshua at the Passover Feast in the Upper Room (what we know Today as "The Last Supper") and heard the heart of G-d beating in human flesh. This Is an Awesome Lesson for each and every Believer in this World to learn and understand. We Live this same experience Every Day, because the Spirit of the Living G-d Lives, Moves and Has His Being In US, The Body of Christ Jesus/Yeshua The Messiah, The Church of The Living G-d!
The Son of G-d has come to dwell In Our Hearts! Oh what manner of Love the Father Has Given Unto US that we should be called (and We Are Called of G-d, His Chosen People, Kings and Priests, The Sheep of His Hand) The Children Of G-d!
If G-d Is Our Father and You Are My Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus/Yeshua then why can't we bother to "really" reach out and Love One Another? If only for the moment we could see things through. The Way we hurt each other it breaks His Heart In two (Yes, I was inspired by Larry Norman). As G-d's Children we should Never, ever give up on the things of G-d, we should Never, ever lose Faith, we should be In AlWays and forever Hopeful (Full of Hope) and endure from here to eternity (read: 1 Corinthians 13:7), because Love Never Fails!
We Have the Victory In Jesus/Yeshua, because He Is G-d Incarnate, G-d Is Love, He Will Never Ever Leave or forsake US, G-d Is Faithful and Jesus/Yeshua Never Fails!
My Dear Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus/Yeshua,
John was moved upon by the Holy Spirit of G-d when he wrote this third letter to the Church, the elect (chosen) lady (G-d's Precious Bride) and her children (every single Member of His Body of Believers around this great big beautiful ball falling around the sun that we call, Earth). Jesus/Yeshua Loves The Church (we're not talking buildings here, but individual people, you and me), His Bride. He wants us to move In His Love and be moved by It, so that we progressively, learn, recognize, "know" and understand Him. Jesus/Yeshua lives In Our Hearts and will be with US Forever! In All Sincerity and Love, Jesus/Yeshua pours out His Mercy and Spiritual Blessings Upon US.
Are You Living In Jesus/Yeshua? Are You walking In His Truth (He Is Truth) and Loving One Another In The Name of Jesus/Yeshua, Representing to the World and All who are living in darkness Everything that He IS? Listen to the Voice of G-d's Holy Spirit speaking to your Heart and Mind In Him. Allow Him to guide you through every step of the Way, follow It. All of G-d's teaching, precepts, ordinances, orders and commandments rest on "this" commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, continue to walk in Love. Love Conquers All!
G-d bless and love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Subject: Living in the reality of Christ
Invocation
Heavenly Father open our eyes to see You and the reality of You at work in our lives. Help us to walk in obedience to Your Word and to apply these great truths today to our lives. In Jesus Name Amen.
Worship
Opening Songs...
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Give thanks to the Lord our God and King His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
©2001 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Six
Steps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) All rights reserved.
Give Thanks (Henry Smith)
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son (Repeat)
And now, Let the weak say "I am strong"
Let the poor say "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us (Repeat)
Give thanks !
Be Unto Your Name (Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler)
We are a moment, You are forever,
Lord of the ages, God before time.
We are a vapor, You are eternal,
love everlasting reigning on high.
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain;
Highest praises honor and glory
be unto Your name, be unto Your name
We are the broken, You are the healer,
Jesus Redeemer, mighty to save.
You are the love song we'll sing forever;
bowing before You, blessing Your name.
Message: Living in the Reality of Christ
42They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer.43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved."
42They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer."
Sharing in the Lord 's Supper refers to the Communion services that were celebrated in remembrance of Jesus and were patterned after the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples before his death. (Matthew 26:26-
29) When we celebrate Jesus, and celebrate communion remember that we are to look inside of ourselves to confess our sins if we say we have any part with Jesus; then we must confess our sins to God even though we are already justified through faith in Him let us go up to Jesus today looking into our own hearts; recognizing our own human weakness.
We are not a community of perfect people, but a people under construction.
Plato wanted a perfect utopia, but the problem is there are no perfect people only people on the Way to discovering what the true meaning of life is all about under Jesus Christ. Plato's utopianan ideals fall short of God's plan of Him showing Himself mighty through those who call out on His Name. The problem is this that while the Plato's ideals are decent at best it still misses the mark God's mark in that God wants us to go to heaven each and every single one of us, but it requires something out of us to look deep inside of our own hearts; to see our own sin so that in turn we are disgusted by our own sin and want to turn from its evil and turn to the Lord.
This is the purpose that communion plays that in communion we are able to look deeply inside of ourselves as we eat the bread and drink of the cup celebrating all the more Christ's victory on the Cross, and His work of Redemption in our own lives. In order to be a community centered on Christ focused on bringing unity to the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost, as the people of God we must stop being focused on ourselves and instead focus on Jesus.
The whole point of Biblical teaching is that it turns us away from our selfish desires and instead points us to a far greater Way Jesus Christ. They early church devoted itself to the Apostle's teaching because they were willing to sacrifice its own agenda for God's agenda of hearing what God had to say through the Apostle's. Sound biblical teaching not only affects every area of our life but it changes the way we think, the way we act, and literally it affects every single area of our lives. You want to know what is true the Word of God is true, and His promises never fail in fact they are new every morning day and night this is why we can go to Jesus because He is true, and because His love never fails. There was a social dynamic here to the apostles teaching because as a result of there sound teaching of God's Word the people of God fellowshipped with each other. While many today in the Body of Christ flaunt there own ideas when in fact some are flat out non- biblical and the Word of God says we are not to duel swords with each other but to submit to each other out of reverence for Jesus. It is not about ourselves or our own beliefs, and while I do believe in being Biblically sound there are many grey areas out there that we are to figure out for ourselves what we believe about those things otherwise we as the people of God can be left out in the wind, but even more so I feel that as the people of God in these grey areas we must love each other because Jesus loves us. We need to submit to each other because in these grey areas it doesn't matter the unity of the Body of Christ and the salvation of the Lost should be our first and primary concern over these things not to say that they aren't important because they are but even more so we should seek to establish the Unity of the Spirit and the salvation of the Lost. This is God's purpose and this is God's agenda for the Church the living organism of every single believer in His Name. The early believer's fellowshipped with each other because they held there agenda low compared to the Excellency of knowing Jesus and Him crucified.
43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
This was a community marked by awe in what God was doing not only in there lives but corporately how He was bringing all people to Himself by the Holy Spirit. Who are you drawing to yourself by your Christian witness? Would your life be marked by a deep sense of awe?
The Apostles performing miraculous signs and wonders showed there validity as Apostles in His Name that He had sent them into the field. God is still at work today performing miracles everyday in our lives the miracle of salvation reforming our old behavior into the new man a new creation so that we can experience life everlasting.
44And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had.
This community was more than a fellowshipping community it was a sacrificial community and as we are going to see throughout this study on the Book of Acts they gave literally everything, and shared everything with each other because of the bond of the Spirit drawing them together to be together. In community we need to share with each other, be kind with each other, because God is at work in each of us none of us are perfect and each one of us has areas that we need to work on, but God is at work we need to hold onto Jesus who is at work in our lives because that is our common tie if you believe in Jesus we are all ONE under Him our bonds hold us together because Jesus never fails and His love is everlasting.
They shared everything and met together because of the eternal love of God at work in there lives and because of there reverence for Jesus and His work in there own lives. A community that sacrifices is one that stays together, grows together so that it will be firmly established together under its beliefs. Denominations today have formed the misconception that there church is the only true church but the truth is that the only true church is the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ and wherever anyone who calls out on His Name, who has believed in His name there the Body of Christ dwells for the True Church is not within a building but within us the people of God, for the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, and breathes life into us so that we can experience the supernatural life of God in Christ. This was a community who recognized the profound truths of the former statement who lived it out and who shared together everything they had. How are you living out these truths in your own life?
45They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need."
As our love for each other grows naturally out of that we will give for Jesus has said it was better to give than to receive(Luke 6:38). Our love for each other grows as we temper it with the Word of God and the love for each other. This results in community folks where we are real with each other which ultimately is what Jesus is with us. Jesus is real to us because His Spirit dwells within us. Jesus is not bound by the limitations that we put on Him but we are bound to them if you have put up limitations on Jesus work in your own life I think its time to wake up because the Word of God is still living and active and able to penetrate every area of your life, but you have to allow it to have place in your life. In a real sense you have to be real before He will get real but ultimately as I stated in the opening that communion is a place to look inside of ourselves, but fellowship is the place to unmask yourself the old hurts and all of it and come together so that you can grow into the image of the One whom you have believed upon. God knows where you are today, but He doesn't want you to stay there, and the sad truth is that most churches today, and even sadder most denominations today say that once you have achieved these few things you are "spiritually mature" but the even more shocking thing is that the Apostle Paul, and Jesus never said do these things and you shall be spiritually mature no all they said was follow Jesus who along will make you mature, and we will be mature only when He has looked us through and through when we shall stand before Him, and He shall give us white robes unstained by the world and its sin. If we are to be real we need to lay aside our own agenda for the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. As the people of God we need to remain focused on that sharing with the poor, broken hearted and with each other what God is doing in our lives. This will form real community a place where we share each others hurts, bear each others burdens, and most importantly where we love each other just as Jesus loves us.
46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved."
A healthy Christian community will grow if it is real, love each other, has fellowship with each other, and is taught the Word of God and how to align the Word of God to a believer's life. This forms real Biblical community a place where people are open to share what is going on in there lives, and that is the place where unbelievers would be attracted to come to be, to learn what the meaning of the Gospel really is, and who this Jesus guy really is and what He is about. Non-believers aren't attracted to a show, but they are attracted to passion.
Now, why would unbelievers be interested in passion because in passion we show that we are real and serious about our faith that it has made such a difference in our lives that we would share it with the whole world. Worship is not just some thing that we do on Sunday's and if it is I suggest you read your Bible, because the Father is looking for worshippers who will worship beyond Sunday and worship Him on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and well you get the point the rest of the week. A healthy community of believers will grow naturally as a result not of anything it has done but for its zeal in worship and its brotherly love for each other. As a result of these things people flocked to there community because they were real because the loved each other more than they loved themselves or there own teaching as many do these days, but they loved God with there whole hearts, and they were real with each other. This ought to mark each of us the reality of Jesus at work in our lives so much that we would give up our agenda to be real for Him instead of for our friends so that Jesus might be known through us, and we would be marked as these people were by the non-believers as Christians or Christ followers. May we become a community friends that lives in the real reality of Jesus the Head of the Church for the church dwells within us, within each of these groups here online we are the Body of Christ so let us be real with each other, let us share with each other what God is doing, and let us love the community of the Body of Christ and the lost with a holy passion centered on God's Word and on God's agenda, for then we shall be a community living in the reality of Christ.
Closing Song
Closing Song...
Breathe (Marie Barnett)
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me
And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you
©1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (ASCAP)(Admin. by Music Services) All rights reserved.
If something here touched you and you would like to talk please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Teaching the Body of Christ the Word of God; reaching the Lost, mending the broken hearted. God's ultimate agenda is the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. What part are you playing in His Agenda?
Date: Tue, Dec 24, 2002, CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
WORSHIP:
Lord we come to You and we worship You for all All that You came to Earth to do.
Seek Ye First (Karen Lafferty)
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And his righteousness,
And all these things will be added unto you.
Singing Allelu, Alleluia.
Ask and it shall be given unto you,
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you.
Singing Allelu, Alleluia.
Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God.
Singing Allelu, Alleluia.
©1972 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company) All rights reserved.
INCARNATION
CHRISTMAS C. M. From George F. Handel
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around.
Amen.
WILSON From Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
Come, thou long expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free: From fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in thee.
Amen.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
CHRISTMAS C. M. From George F. Handel
Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve, And press with vigor on; A heavenly race demands thy zeal, And an immortal crown, And an immortal crown. Amen.
MISSIONARY CHANT L. M. Heinrich C. Zeuner Behold! The Christian warrior stand In all the army of his God; The Spirit's sword is in his hand, His feet are with the Gospel shod; Amen.
GREETING:
I hope that YOU are seeking the Lord as the three wise men did, because as we draw near to Him He draws near to us.
Please, contact as many people in your Groups as you can to wish them a Merry Christmas!
FIRST READING
CHRISTMAS
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.
They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: They joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For the yolk of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom.
To establish and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness From henceforth and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, And a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit; And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding;
The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, [his ears Neither decide after the hearing of
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
And he shall smite the oppressor with the rod of his mouth And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, And faithfulness the girdle of his loins.
And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, And the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and the bear shall feed;
Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, And the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
PRAYER:
Father, You have given us Light in darkness, Your Son, Jesus Who Is Wonderful and brought Joy to this World that we live in. Give us the Zeal of the Lord Today, so that we may perform Your Will and Way In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I have taken some songs and the Word from my almost 98 year old hymnal which my Grandfather used as a Church Organist over 30 years ago. Only because, after speaking with Pastor David, God confirmed His Will and Way for this very special message. There is absolutely nothing wrong with "Tradition" when it is steeped in the blessings of God. Although, I Am not one for strict formalism, Our God is a God of things being done decently and in order, so when the fulness of time had come, He sent His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus into this World we live in to save sinners. Redemption ripped through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe.
Like Moses before Him, Mary's was no "ordinary" child and she knew that He was not only her's, but the World's. The Spiritual and the natural worlds collided when Jesus was born. He was totally God Who Is Spirit and totally a natural man of flesh and blood as YOU and I are in this World. We carry HIm in the womb of our hearts, bring forth His Life In and through ours ever day and grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Him just as He did with Our Heavenly Father here on Earth. What child is this that He should be called Wonderful? His Holy Spirit lives in us and Is Our Counselor.
This Christ Child, the Anointed One Is the long awaited Messiah. He will become "man" to the fullest extent of meaning, because He Is Our Mighty God from Everlasting to Everlasting.
Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM!"
Before Our Father of Faith was even born The Father of Eternity had plans to send The Prince of Peace onto Earth, bring His Good Will towards All mankind and because, He Is Eternal His Kingdom Is For Evermore! Jesus Is Our Peace, Our Shalom, Our Fulness, Our Blessing and most of All He Is Ours! Unto US a child is given! Cherish these things in your hearts and mind! Each and Every Day of your Life In HIm unwrap HIs Gifts bestowed upon YOU and in humility, with a servants heart like Mary bring Him into the World, so that they may see His Great Light shine upon them too!
If you have never received the Gift of God into your hearts and lives then please, do so today, because He Loves YOU.
May this be your most precious Christmas ever, because God has imparted to our human hearts the Lord Immanuel. God Is With US! Merry Christmas Every One!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Wed, Dec 25, 2002, CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE
WORSHIP:
Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing. Amen
Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o're all the earth; Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new born King. Amen
Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright; Round yon virgin mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Amen.
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold; "Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven's all gracious King:" The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing. Amen.
THE WORD:
For to which of the angels did (God) ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [that is, established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son? [Ps. 2:7; 2 Sam. 7:14.]
Referring to the angels, He says, (God) Who makes the angels winds, and His ministering servants flames of fire; [Ps. 104:4.]
You have loved righteousness - You have delited in integrity, virtue and uprightness in purpose, thought and action - and You have hated lawlessness (injustice and iniquity). Therefore God, [even] Your God (Godhead), has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond Your companions. [Ps. 45:6, 7.]
- Hebrews 1:5, 7, 9
IN many separate revelations - each of which set forth a portion of the Truth - and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets.
[But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time - [that is,] He made, produced, built, operated and arranged them in order.
He is the sole expression of the glory of God - the Light-being, the out-raying of the divine - and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high, [Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.
- Hebrews 1:1-4
Today, when you think of the baby in the manger, so many years ago, remember and behold the man Christ Jesus In All Of His Glory And Splendor! When the fulness of time had come, God Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus into the World which we live to save sinners such as we are. This Christ Child created this great big beautiful World that we live in along with each and every one of us living in it. It is He Who holds All things together! Let Us Look (feast our eyes upon Him) Unto Jesus The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith! He Himself said, "If you have seen Me then you have seen The Father. I and the Father Are One!" As we celebrate this most Holy of days on the calendar of human history, let us remember that when Jesus stood before Pilate before His crucifixion He said, "It is for this reason I have come into the World." May He anoint each and every one of you with His Holy Spirit Oil of Exultant Joy and Gladness from this day forward until we come to stand before Jesus, The Light of the World!
God's Greatest Blessings and His Abundance of Love rest upon you and yours during this Holiday Season and Into All Eternity,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Dec 26, 2002, THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Worship:
We Will Glorify (Twila Paris)
We will glorify the King of Kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of Lords
Who is the great I Am
Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone
He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord of all the universe
All praise to Him we give
Hallelujah to the King of Kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of Lords
Who is the great I Am
The Word:
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death - death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter. But the mind of the (Holy) Spirit is life and soul-peace [both now and forever].
- Romans 8:6
Are you living after the dictates of the flesh? God condemned sin in the flesh - subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power [over all who accept the sacrifice of Jesus as an offering for our sin]. There is "NOW" no condemnation - no adjudging guilty of wrong - for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live after the dictates of the Spirit. Our Heavenly Father, God sent His Son, Jesus in the guise of sinful flesh some 2000 years ago to do what the Law could not do for us and that is to make us fully righteous and just in His Eyes. We should be seeking those things which gratify the Holy Spirit of God, His Kingdom, His Righteousness, the things which are high above the natural and into the Super-Natural. God's Peace and Joy are ours In Christ Jesus!
We have the Mind of Christ to think His Thoughts, reason with His Knowledge and Understanding (which is fully revealed to us in His Word) and as much as we should be seeking the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives we should be walking by Faith, In Hope, but our utmost goal is His Love. God so Loved the World that He sent Jesus to save us from our "selves." We in turn should be going to others in the World with His Love and with His Good News to save them from their "selves." The life of "self" is a life of death, destruction and misery, but when we die to our own sense and reason and become alive (born-again, life-anew) In God's Holy Spirit then we experience God's Shalom, His Peace, Fulness, Blessings and the Abundant Life which Jesus promised us In Him. There is no greater Love or Life than what God has given us in Jesus, so take it to yourself forever and give unto others as He has given unto you.
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Dec 27, 2002, THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS / MESSIAHMAS SERVICE
Shalom! Let's Bless the Lord!
Worship:
BLESSED BE THE LORD
Blessed be the Lord a mighty fortress
Blessed be the Lord my sword and shield
Blessed be the Lord Who reigns victorious Blessed be, Blessed be the Name of the Lord Blessed be, Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Your power - Is like the raging sea
Your Grace - Brought it down to me
And now - I walk in victory
Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Your Blood - Set this captive free
Your Love - Is giving Life to me
And now - I'm Yours Eternally
Blessed be the name of the Lord
The Word:
For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here], shall lose [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake, shall find [life everlasting].
- Matthew 16:25
Are you very much aware that we are All called of G-d to be disciples of Jesus/Yeshua? Yes, that's right, each and every one of us! We are to disregard, lose sight of and forget our "self" and our own interests to cleave steadily to Him, conform wholly to His example in living and if need be in dying, also. What good would it do you to obtain everything in this world that "you" desire and forfeit your blessed Life in the Kingdom of G-d? Is there any "thing" in this present World that we live in that is "better" than Eternal Life In a right standing relationship with Our Heavenly Father, the Peace of G-d that passes All Understanding or the Joy that the Holy Ghost brings? Not only did Jesus/Yeshua Christ/Messiah the Anointed One come to Earth as a little baby, born of a virgin, but He grew up to Be the Son of Man, fulfilled every single prophecy ever spoken by men and women of G-d in human history and died on the Cross at Calvary in our stead, so that we could have Eternal Life In His Name. Let's get "real" here, is the life that you and I are now living worth holding on to rather than hiding it In Christ/Messiah Jesus/Yeshua and gaining Eternal Life In Him? Everything in time will run out of time some day. This life and world we live in is temporal. The Word of G-d tells us that our life is but a breath. Whatever comfort we have here is nothing compared to the Comfort of G-d's Holy Spirit In our Life when we are wrapped up In Jesus/Yeshua. Messiah "Was" born into this World, died and rose again, "Is" seated at the right hand of G-d the Father and "Is To Come" Again SOON! He Is Eternal!
Jesus/Yeshua said, "Before Abraham was, I AM!" He Is the Resurrection! Not only does He resurrect us from the dead, but He Is Resurrection Itself! Messiah Is the Way!
Without Him there is no going!
Jesus/Yeshua Is Truth! G-d can "NOT" lie, so let Him Be True and everyman a liar. Take Him at His Word, because His Word Is Truth and Jesus/Yeshua Is the Word of G-d In Human Flesh!
Christ/Messiah In You Is the Hope of Glory, the Hope of Isreal, the Hope of Heaven! Jesus/Yeshua Is Life Eternal! For G-d's sake, for your sake, seek Him and find Him, because He Is Life Everlasting!
If I asked you today if you were going to Heaven when you died would you say, "I Hope so?" John the Beloved wrote his words of Eternal Life, so that you would "KNOW" (experiencially) that you "HAVE" Eternal Life In Jesus/Yeshua! If you have never asked Messiah to rule and reign in your heart and life then do it today, because Today Is the Day of Salvation In Jesus'/Yeshua's Name and "whoever" loses this temporal life will gain Life Everylasting In Him!
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS SUNDAY SERVICE
WORSHIP:
HEALER OF MY SOUL
Healer of my soul
Heal me at evening
Heal me at morning, heal me at noon
Healer of my soul.
I am tired, astray and stumbling, shield my soul From the snare of sin.
Keeper of my soul
Keep me at evening
Keep me at morning, keep me at noon
Keeper of my soul.
Freer of my soul
Free me at evening
Free me at morning, free me at noon
Freer of my soul.
Lover of my soul
Love me at evening
Love me at morning, love me at noon
Lover of my soul.
Savior of my soul
Save me at evening
Save me at morning, save me at noon
Savior of my soul.
THE WORD:
INDEED, [at His thunderings] my heart also trembles, and leaps out of it's place.
Hear, oh, hear the roar of His voice and the sound of rumbling that goes out of His mouth!
Under the whole heaven He lets it loose, and His lightning to the ends of the earth.
After it His voice roars; He thunders with the voice of His majesty, and He restrains not [His lightnings against His adversaries] when His voice is heard.
God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
For He says to the snow, Fall on the earth; likewise He speaks to the showers and to the downpour of His mighty rains.
God seals up [stops, brings to a standstill by severe weather] the hand of every man; [and now under His seal their hands are forced to in-activity], that all men whom He has made may know His doings [His sovereign power and their subjection to it].
Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their lairs.
Out of its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds.
By the breath of God ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen over. [Ps. 147:17, 18.]
- Job 37:1-10
With Winter upon us I decided to break away from our study in the Book of Acts and personally speak to you as the Son sets on 2002 and rises for us in 2003.
None of us are promised tomorrow, but Today Is the Day of Salvation and I am determined to make it count for the Lord Jesus. How is it that such an Awesome God Who Created the Universe and Everything In It Cares for me? He Is All Powerful and All Mighty! I am weak, but In Him I Am Strong to the taking down of Spiritual strongholds in the heavenlies.
He causes the sun to rise on the just and the unjust as well as the rains to fall upon us. Christmas Day we had the first snowfall since 1969 and the worst storm to hit North Eastern Pennsylvania since 1947 which brought 28 inches of snow to my humble abode. In the words of Paul Simon, "A freshly fallen silent shroud of snow" and In God's, "Though your sins be as scarlet I Will Make them Whiter than snow!" With icicles over three feet long hanging at my picture window, deer at the stream flowing across the front of my property and down the mountain to the Delaware River, possum and my six cats in the snow it truly was a "Winter Wonderland."
Needless to say, someone had to spend 2 1/2 hours shovelling the driveway and it happened to be me. I've told you before that there's no such thing as an ungodly hour, but I did ask God that great "Jewish" question, "WHY?" His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are far above ours, so I'll just trust His Judgements and that is what leads us to this Scripture portion Today.
You are a fountain springing up in a garden, a well of living waters, and flowing streams from Lebanon. [John 4:10; 7:37, 38.]
[You have called me a garden, she said.]
O, I pray the cold north wind and the soft south to blow upon my garden, that its spice may flow out [in abundance for you in whom my soul delights]. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat its choicest fruits.
- Song of Solomon 4:15, 16
Am I willing for the north wind of adversity to blow upon me, if it will better fit me for Christ's presence and companionship?
In Job 38 God begins to speak to Job and his so called "friends." The Book of Hebrews tells us that God spoke in the days of old, but now He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus and by the Holy Spirit living in us, leading and guiding us in All Truth and Understanding pertaining to the Things of God as brought forth In His Holy Word. Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let them hear!" Have you been listening to what God has to say to YOU (forget about your brother or sister, but YOU)? Like Peter worrying about what Jesus was going to do with John the Beloved, we need to listen for His Will and Way for US and Be Obedient to His Call. If Each and Every Member here was consistent in doing what God Called them to do the Body of Christ Jesus would "Be" All that God Calls Us to "Be" In This World!
Jesus is quoted in The Gospel of John as saying, "I AM the True Vine and My Father is the Vinedresser." My Brothers and Sisters In The Lord Jesus, We Are the Garden of God!
His Seed Is Planted In Our Hearts and Souls, He waters It and brings the increase. Our Father God Is The Master Gardener Who brings the Son to Shine In Our Hearts and Minds. He brings the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Not only does He Rule and Reign In Heaven above, but He pours out His blessings upon us in the form of rain, so that we no longer thirst and His Word in which we can be rooted and grounded to bring forth fruit and "lasting fruit" for His Kingdom. He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. I have told you these things that His joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be full measure and complete and overflowing.
Nobody ever said, this was going to be easy. It is all too often painful, but we have not yet shed our own blood as Jesus did to bring us Eternal Life In His Name. He Is the Vine, we are the branches, - Live In Him and He Will Live In YOU! Whoever lives In Him and He In YOU bears much (abundant) fruit. Life as man knows it began in a garden, Eternal Life as the Son of God knew it was a struggle in a garden, He died in our stead, rose again from a garden tomb and we who put our Faith In Him, Believe In Him and Trust In Him will be with Him Forever More In A Garden Ever Green, Forever Green.
We are the Garden of God! Allow His Living Waters to flow in and through you, His Breath of Life to blow upon you and let Him enter in to every area of your life (even if it means a little pruning), so that He can Make YOU All that He created YOU to "Be." Whatever the Lord brings your Way He Will Use for His Glory and He'll work Everything together for Your's and His Good. Plant Your "self" deep in His Word and His Holy Spirit Will Lead and Guide YOU In His Will and Way for YOU in the coming year.
May the Lord God Bless and Keep YOU, Cause His Face to Shine Upon YOU, Pour Out His Grace Upon YOU, Lift up the Light of His Countenance upon YOU and Give YOU His Peace, Shalom, Wholeness, Fulness from this day forward and into All Eternity!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Tue, Dec 31, 2002, THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS / HAPPY OLD YEAR OT SERVICE
WORSHIP:
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______________________________________________
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Salvation Belongs To Our God (Adrian Howard and Pat Turner)
Salvation belongs to our God
Who sits upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb
Praise and Glory,
Wisdom and thanks,
Honour and power and strength.
Be to our God forever and ever,
Be to our God forever and ever,
Be to our God forever and ever, amen.
And we, the redeemed shall be strong
In purpose and unity
Declaring aloud
Praise and Glory,
Wisdom and thanks,
Honour and power and strength.
©1985 Restoration Music, Ltd.
All rights reserved.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Beautiful Savior (Stuart Townend)
All my days, I will sing this song of gladness.
Give my praise to the Fountain of de-lights; for in my helplessness you heard my cry, and waves of mercy poured down on my life.
I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer; I will sing of the blood that never fails, of sins for - given, of conscience cleansed, of death de - feated and life without end.
Beautiful Saviour, Wonderful Counsel-or, clothed in majesty, Lord of history,
You're the Way the Truth, the Life, Star of the Morning. Glorious ho--liness, You're the Risen One, Heaven's Champion, and You reign, You reign, over all.
I long to be, where the praise is never en---ding; Yearn to dwell where the glory never fades, Where count-less worshipers will share- one- song; And cries of "worthy" will honour the Lamb!
©1998 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) All rights reserved.
______________________________________________
LORD AND KING
You are the Mighty One
You are the Holy One
Lord, You are the King
over all the earth
KING OF MY LIFE
KING OF MY DREAMS
YOU REIGN IN MY LIFE TODAY!
Written By Janae Ivie 12/26/02
THE WORD:
So [as the result of the Messiah's intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun.
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight - for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives. [Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:29.]
- Isaiah 59:19
With 2002 quickly riding off into the sunset and 2003 on the horizon we have much to be thankful for and plenty to prepare for in the tomorrow's which lie ahead. All good things come down from God out of Heaven and this ministry as a whole (comprised of each and every individual Member here) has much to praise God for and I hope will commit to a deeper walk and relationship with Him in the New Year. Certainly there have been some losses along the Way, but like the Nation of Israel crossing the Jordan and entering into the Promised Land let us learn from our mistakes, forget what lies behind, forsake those things which so easily beset us, press on to the High Calling we All have In Jesus and look unto Him as the Author and Finisher of our Faith!
Because of God's Love for the World, the birth, Life, death, resurrection of Jesus the Messiah, the outpouring of The Holy Spirit and His workings in and through us we "have" the VICTORY In His Name!
Surely we have an enemy who wants to sift us as wheat, but Jesus has prayed for us, that our faith will not fail (because Love Never Fails!) and as we go forward In His Will and Way we MUST strengthen one another. Let us go forward worshipping the Lord In Spirit and Truth, because the Lord inhabits the praises of His People! Serve Him and minister to Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords that He Is and MORE! Reverence His Holy Name for He Is Glorious! Each and Every Member here and All Christians around the World from North, South, East and West, Every Tribe and Every Tongue should arise and shine, because Our Light has come and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon us to Go, Do and Be All that He has Called us to!
In the Hebrew text there are no commas, periods or the like, but each letter of their alphabet has a numerical number and in English or any other spoken language we lose the richness of God's Word, so that's why I like to use the Amplified Bible to get the fullest meanings out of the Greek and Hebrew writings. As I said, we do have an enemy, but he is a defeated foe and come he does at us from every available angle. It has been said, Keep you friends close, but your enemies closer. First of all as Believers we are to Love our enemies, but that doesn't mean that we are not to have the full Armor of God on at all times, because we are in a constant Spiritual Battle, there are souls at stake and the consequences are eternal. Now, having said all that I'd like you to look at our Scripture and read, "When the enemy comes in... Like A FLOOD The Spirit of the Lord lifts up a Standard against him!"
The King James Version of the Bible says, "Resist the devil and he MUST Flee from you!" What is your standard? Your will, your way or God's Perfect and Acceptable Will for Your Life In His Way?
King David said, "He prepares His Table before me in the presence of my enemies!" The Word of God tells us that He brings us to His Banqueting Table and His Banner (or in this case God's "Standard") Over Us Is Love! When the Nation of Israel was travelling through the desert each of The Twelve Tribes would gather together in their Groups under the banner or standard of said Tribe. Jesus Is Our Standard!
He comes like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives! Streams of Living Waters are to be rushing / flowing out of our Lives In Him and reaching the dry and weary places of this World in which we live and move and have our being. It is the Breath of The Holy Spirit that Gives Us Life In The Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus! Let Him Lead and Guide YOU into ALL Truth and Understanding as to what He would have YOU to DO with the Life He has Given YOU and the Gifts and Talents He has Bestowed Upon YOU to build up the Body of Christ Jesus and Fulfill the Great Commission!
When Paul the Apostle saw the Light from heaven flash around him on the Damascus Road he asked, "Who are YOU? LORD?" Has the Light of God's Life shined in your heart and mind? Even Paul prayed that he may "KNOW" Him and the Power of His Resurrection, so shouldn't we? Have you asked Jesus, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
Without "Vision" God's People perish, so ask Him Today right where you are to touch your eyes, open them, so that you can see everything that He has for you and then lean on , trust in and obey Him not by your own might or power, but by His Spirit. Commit your will and way unto the Lord and He Will accomplish His Way In and Through YOU from this time forth and forever more.
May the Lord's richest blessings be yours and His Love rest upon you in the coming year.
Please, pray daily for this ministry and each other, so that we can work together to bring Unity to the Body of Christ Jesus throughout the World, Equip the Saints for Service In the Kingdom of God which Is Righteousness, Peace and Joy In the Holy Ghost and Fulfill the Great Commission In Jesus' Name!
Happy New Year 2003! God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2002-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Title. Date: Wed, Jan 1, 2003, PSALMS & PROVERBS SERVICE 2003
WORSHIP:
IN MY LIFE
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified In my life Lord, be glorified today.
Ha-llelu---jah Hallelu-jah Hallelu-jah
Ha-llelu---jah Halle---lu-----jah
In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified Ha-llelu---jah Hallelu-jah Hallelu-jah
In my life Lord, be glorified today.
Ha-llelu---jah Halle---lu-----jah
In my time.......etc
In this place.....etc
THE WORD:
Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity] lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed - happy, fortunate and to be envied - are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!
- Psalm 2:12
Who has ascended into Heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know? [John 3:13; Rev. 19:12.]
- Proverbs 30:4
My Dear Sweet Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus, These are two of my favorite Scriptures (although I must confess that I Love the Entire Word of God) and ones I feel are most appropriate to start off our New Year with.
How can we pay homage to God In Purity when we have been steeped in sin from our birth? Do we walk in unbelief like the Nation of Israel did for 40 years in the wilderness and could we perish in the "Way?" Jesus Is Coming SOON and He Is Going to Judge the quick (that's us as Believers) and the dead (unbelievers).
Remember that Judgement "begins" at the House of God. While the "World" is re-evaluating their present situation and making New Year's resolutions "We" (The Church of the Living God) should be putting everything we know and have into action to reach the lost and dying for Jesus, because He wishes that NONE would perish, but that ALL would "come" to repentance. We (as the Body of Christ Jesus here on Earth) have the "solution" to the "sin" problems of the World and are commanded to go into All the World and Preach the Good News (the Gospel of Christ Jesus) to All Nations and Peoples! Jesus Is the Answer for the World Today! God has provided the Way out of sin and Into Eternal Life through Faith In Christ Jesus. He Is Our Hiding Place and All of Us who put our Trust In Him and seek refuge In His Holy Name are blessed - happy, fortunate and to be envied. Can you kiss the Son and mean it? Why choose to be sinners in the hands of an angry God when He has reached out to us In Love with outstretched arms on the Cross of Calvary, so that who-so-ever Believes In - clings to, trusts in and relies on Him will NOT persish, but Have Ever-Lasting Life (Eternal Life) In His Name?
Who has ascended and descended into Heaven, gathered the wind in His fists, bound the waters in His garment and established the ends of the Earth? What is His Name and His Son's Name? Do YOU KNOW?
Every Word of God Is Tried and Purified; He Is A Shield to those who Trust and take refuge In Him. [Pss. 18:30; 84:11; 115:9-11.]
- Proverbs 3:5
Jesus Is the Living Word of God and He has Given Us His Name, His Word and His Holy Spirit, so that we might be the representation of Him here on Earth! In Him ALL things were created and By Him ALL things are held together! He Is the Head of [His] Body, the Church, the Foundation, the Corner Stone and the Cap Stone! He MUST Be our ALL and ALL!
Apart from Him we can do NOTHING! Do you want to be successful in 2003 and prosper in Everything you put your hand to?
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
- Joshua 1:8
This is the only place in the early English versions where the word "success" is found.
God says, "Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that I have given you, as I promised Moses." Let us take All that God has given us from this day forward and into All Eternity! Commit your Way unto Him and He Will Make YOUR Path Straight!
Happy New Year 2003! God bless and Love to All, <')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Thu, Jan 2, 2003, FIRST NT SERVICE OF 2003
WORSHIP:
YOU ARE MY SALVATION
You are the mighty King, Master of everything All of creation sings, You are our salvation Glory to You we bring, You're Son we're worshipping Our praise an offering, You are our salvation
You, you, you alone are worthy to be praised You, you, you alone are God
You gave your life for us, a sacrifice of love Glory to your Name
So I'll lift up my voice and dance to the Lord
Atah Yeshua-Teynu
For my heart's overjoyed and I'll sing evermore You are my salvation, you are my salvation
You are faithful and true and you hear when I pray
Atah Yeshua-Teynu
For my heart's overjoyed and I'll sing evermore You are my salvation, You are my sal - va - tion
THE WORD:
And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful - accurate, incorruptible and trustworthy - and true (genuine). [Isa. 43:19.]
- Revelation 21:5
Looking for a fresh new start in 2003?
Today Is the Day of Salvation! To Him Who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb may be all blessing and glory and honor and power forever! Jesus Is Risen from the dead, ascended unto Heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father. Our battles are the Lord's and we "have" the VICTORY In Jesus' Name! On the Cross at Calvary He Proclaimed, "It Is Finished!" Jesus Is the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Are you thirsty? He [Himself] Will Give YOU water without price from the fountain (springs) of the water of Life. [Isa. 55:1.] Streams of Living Water are to flow in and through you and as a fountain our lives are to be poured out a blessing to All Mankind Everywhere. Spring Up O Well Within My Soul! He Is Our God, we are His Children and shall inherit All These things!
But as for the cowards, ignoble, contemptible, cravenly lacking in courage, cowardly submissive, unbelieving, faithless, depraved, defiled with abominations; and as for murderers, the lewd, adulterous, practicers of magic arts, idolaters [those who give supreme devotion to any one or anything other than God] and all liars [those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed, all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death. [Isa. 30:33.]
- Revelation 21:8
When we die to self, we die to sin and become born-again of God by the Power of His Holy Spirit In Our Lives to be with Him Forever throughout Eternity! God will wipe every tear away from our eyes, death shall be no more (O death, where is your sing?), neither shall there be anguish - sorrow and mourning - nor grief nor pain any more; for the old condition and the former order of things have passed away. [Isa. 2:8; 35:10.] Each and Every Day of our Christian Life we have Grace (sufficient for the Day), Mercy (there is NO Condemnation for those who are In Christ Jesus!) and God's Loving Kindness renewed. The old things are passed away, Behold (Look and See!), All things become New! Record this, write it down, memorize it, recite it, take a picture, burn it deep into your heart, mind, soul, Spirit and strength, because these sayings are faithful! God Is Faithful and Jesus Never Fails! Love Never Fails!
God CAN NOT lie! His Word Is accurate, incorruptible, trustworthy, true and genuine (The Real Deal), so get into God's Word Daily and let It Get Into YOU!
Tired of the old way, your way, doing things "my" way? Jesus Is the New and Living Way!
Have you or others that you know bought the lie? Jesus Is the Truth, Holy, Pure and Blameless (In Him this is how God Sees YOU).
Living is hard, but Life In Jesus Is Eternally Good, because God Is Good (All the time) and His Blessings are more precious than all the diamonds in the World. Afraid of dying? Jesus Is the Resurrection (He Is Not Only the "Resurrector", but "Resurrection" Itself) and Life Eternal Is Found In No Other Name Under Heaven By Which We MUST Be Saved!
Put your Faith to Action In Him from this time forth and forever more. He Is Rest, Peace, Fulness, Hope, Blessing and Our All In All, so trust Him completely with all, because He Gave His All for YOU.
Jesus declares, "I make all things new!"
Have Thine Own Way Lord!
God bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Fri, Jan 3, 2003, AND ON THE THIRD DAY WE HAD THE MESSIANIC SERVICE
WELCOME:
Shalom! Let us look unto Yeshua/Jesus and Worship Him In Spirit and Truth.
WORSHIP:
TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE
To Him who sits on the throne
And unto the Lamb
To Him who sits on the throne
And unto the Lamb
Be blessing and glory and honor
and power forever
Be blessing and glory and honor
and power forever
GREETING:
Please, take this time now to contact your Brothers and Sisters In the Lord Jesus to let them know how much they mean to you, straighten out any past disagreements or ask what you could pray about for them.
PRAYER:
Lord, We come to You and ask that You would have Your Way with us in every aspect of our lives, so that we can "go," "do," and "be" All that You have created us for. Speak to our hearts and lives now In the Name of Yeshua/Jesus. Amen.
THE WORD:
IN that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.
And in that day, says the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will remove from the land the false prophets and the unclean spirit.
- Zechariah 13:1, 2
Forgotten any idols lately? Even though G-d is Perfect In Every Way I Am most grateful that He takes my sins and casts them as far as the east is to the west into His Sea of Forgetfulness where they will be "remembered" by Him NO MORE!
Whatever is repented of and confessed to G-d is cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb and we are found Holy and Blameless In His Sight. On the other hand (four fingers and a thumb as my brother-in-law used to say) I have chosen this portion of Scripture to show you that G-d Remembers! Zechariah is the Old Covenant Book of Revelation and the Prophet's Name means "G-d Remembers." Have you ever felt like He left you and that you were stuck in a situation all alone? Heaven Forbid!
Yeshua/Jesus has promised Never to Leave or Forsake us EVER and, because He Is G-d He Can Not lie. His Word Is Faithful and True! He Loves us so much that He would rather die in our stead (redeem us from the curse of sin and death), so that we might live. Nothing can separate us from the Love of G-d, NOTHING!
He has provided the Way out. Don't you think Noah and his family were nervous and worried in the ark and wondering if G-d had forgotten them? Well, He didn't, because G-d "REMEMBERED" Noah and since He Is No Respecter of Persons, How could He Forget YOU? You are His Love, His Friend, His Passion, His Heart's Desire, His Chosen Bride, the Pearl of Great Price and believe me the list goes on and on.
"There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood," is an old Hymn and it speaks of this fountain flowing from Immanuel's veins.
Immanuel means literally, "With Us Is G-d." Yeshua/Jesus came to Earth as Man and through the death of His Flesh on the Cross at Calvary He opened up the Way to Heaven, the Holy of Holies and the Throne Room of G-d for All of Us! IN that day, in that day is what this selection of Scripture tells us what G-d did for All of Human-Kind! IN Messiah YOU "are" cleansed from All sin and unrighteousness. G-d has not forgotten you! He sees you pure, clean, spotless, blameless, shameless and Holy.
Although Yeshua/Jesus exclaimed, "It Is Finished!" at the Cross, the story is not over yet. G-d will remove the false prophets (and I think we can all agree that there are still plenty on the scene today [not to mention the anti-christ who has yet to appear, but certainly will]) and the unclean spirit. Even King David cried unto the Lord saying, "Create In Me a Clean Heart O G-d and Renew a Right "Spirit" With-In Me!" Should we not daily ask the same?
G-d has not forgotten nor will He forget, because All of His Promises are YES and AMEN IN Yeshua/Jesus (the Living Word of G-d) and His Word Is TRUE! We are the ones who need to forget the past and press on to our High Calling IN Christ, Messiah, the Anointed One and look unto Yeshua/Jesus Who IS the Author and Finisher of our Faith! Don't ever have a day, an hour, a minute or a second where you forget G-d, because His Mind IS Stayed On YOU FOREVER! What He accomplished "IN that day" we should forever thank and praise Him For Into All Eternity! We're not talking "Remember the Alamo" here or "9-11, Never Forget," but ETERNITY, FOREVER! You may know Today that if you died you'd go to Heaven, but that is not the case for many (and I do mean many are in the valley of decision), so let each and every one of us do our part in the Great Commission. G-d Remembers, so let's not forget what He's done for us and Never Forget what His Plan and Purpose IS for having us (His Body) here on Earth!
G-d bless and Love to All,
<')))>< Pastor Mark
Copyright 2003-2012
All Rights Reserved.
Date: Sun, Jan 5, 2003,
Subject: experiencing God's awesome power
Invocation:
Heavenly Father thank You for another day to serve You. May You be glorified today as Your Word goes out and people's lives are changed. Amen.
Worship
He's the Savior of my soul
Isaiah 61:10, "My soul shall be joyful in my God."
He's the Savior of my soul, My Jesus,
My Jesus, He's the Savior of my soul, He's the Savior of my soul. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Jesus. He's the Savior of my soul, He's the; Savior of my soul.
Taken from Hymns for the family of God.
Message
Acts 3:1-3, "Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
It was custom for Jews to go to the temple to pray and seek the Lord's face.
It mattered not to Peter or to John that this was Jewish they were Jewish believers in Jesus holding fast to the teaching of Jesus who shed His blood so we could have life. Peter and John knew the law in fact to go to the Temple was something very important kinda like going to see your favorite sports team or restaurant would be the equivalent today to attending a service in the Temple. The Beautiful Gate was where most of the people who went in to worship went.
Peter and John were compassionate; they reached out to this man; pointing Him to Jesus who would heal them. Healing occurs today but not in the same form as in this case here. Many today go to the inner healing or other seminars but as Christians, we must fix our eyes on Jesus with open eyes and open hearts ready to hear and act on what God wants for us to do. As Christians; we must reach out to places that are not comfortable but at the same time go to the places where the hurting are not them come to us but us reach out with the love of Jesus, so that they can experience God's awesome power. Not only is this; they key to evangelism it is also the heart of God who reaches out to us through the Cross so that we can be made one with the Trinity.
Acts 3:4-8, "Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, Look
at us! The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter
said, I don't have any money for you. But I'll give you what I have. In
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk! Then Peter took the
lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man's feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them."
If we are to experience everyday the God who is at work within us then we must look to Jesus who reaches out to us.
There are so many who are hurting all around the world; who don't know the love of Jesus and we the people of God need to reach out to them in the Name of Jesus Christ; telling them that they now can have life through the Son who gives strength; to the weary and peace to the saints. Peter reached his hand in faith it was not Peter's doing in this man's healing, it was God doing an extraordinary thing in an extraordinary situation so that He would be glorified; believers united and salvation brought to the lost. Our God is not confined to the borders or restrictions we put Him in, and it is only as we move on in the faith in Jesus that you will understand that God wants to use you for a mighty work to glorify Himself.
Acts 3:9-11, "All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.
When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out to Solomon's Colonnade, where he was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Everyone stood there in awe of the wonderful thing that had happened." This man realized the power of God at work in his life and praised Him, which was only natural after what God did through Peter.
As we experience God's power at work in our lives; the more we ought to submit our lives, rules and even our agenda so as to experience the depth of God of His power and grace at work within us. There is a far greater issue here than this man's healing and that issue goes all the way to our hearts. God wants us to experience Him as we walk by faith not by sight setting our eyes on eternity on the God who has reached out to us through the Son who was nailed on the Cross, died and rose again on the third day. God wants us to experience wholeness to walk in holiness not in brokeness. If you today are hurting or maybe you felt a deep stirring in your heart don't let that go unanswered, for the Word of God echoes from the depths of your hearts don't let that echoing in your heart go unanswered and definitely do not let your soul go unattended. If you have areas that you need to deal with them work on them under the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit. We have a Helper who's very job it is to walk with us through the tough times and if someone has told you the Christian journey is easy; they are flat out lying. We, the People of God are on the front lines fighting for the souls of men and woman; little boys, and girls whom God has given free will to but at the same time wants them to come to repentance in Jesus. We fight a battle where Satan the prince of the air whispers into people's ears telling them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. This man's healing while it was extraordinary parallels our own because each of us have issues but this man choose to stand up to do something with His life and as a result many lives were touched. As we experience God's awesome power which is definitely at work within those who believe in Jesus Christ who have been born again by the Spirit of God; we have to stand back in awe and just throw down our agenda's to say look at this Jesus and what He has done. I have been in meetings where the Spirit just swept through and everyone was crying, and there have been times where the Spirit fell through and all everyone did was just fall down on there knees. It didn't matter what the people at those meetings did, but there response showed me that everyone is truly hungry not for more of material stuff but for something they can cling to; something they can call there own.
What do you call your own today? Do you worship your
job, or do you
worship your God? Peter had nothing to give this man and if we are truly honest as believers we have nothing to give either even if we have all the money in the world, climbing the corporate ladder in the grand scope of eternity is your life really making a difference? These Apostle's made a difference in this man's life by telling him that by faith in Jesus he could be healed; they reached out just as there Master did because they knew that God had reached out to them. The more we experience God's awesome power, and reflect on what He has done in our lives; we cannot fully put our arms, and even our minds around all that Christ has done since we first believed in His Name. All you have to do is reach out to Jesus; accept Him by faith its not an easy journey I assure you of that but it is the only journey; walking hand in hand in unison with Jesus that will satisfy the deep needs; the brokeneness that you have experienced in your own life and through Him your past can be what it is the past. I don't assume that everyone who reads this today believes in Jesus and if you don't know Jesus or maybe you are a point in your journey in your walk
with God where you just need to reevaluate where you are with Christ I want to encourage you right now. If what was writing here today struck a cord deep within you which God be praised if it did then I would like to say that all you have to do is Believe on the name of Jesus Christ for He wants to heal you of those deep hurts, and addictions and it is my prayer that as you walk by faith in Him this day You would know and experience the depth of God's power. If you accepted Him today as your Lord and Savior God be Praised. I would love to hear about your decision to follow Jesus, or even if you made a first time commitment to Christ. Please email me off all the Christian E fellowship group all questions, comments, and decisions. My email is [email protected]
Closing Song
Down at the Cross
Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live."
Down at the cross where my Savior died, Down where for cleansing from sin I cried, There to my heart was the blood applied; Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood applied glory to His name.
I am so wondrously saved from sin, Jesus so sweetly Abides within; There at the Cross where He took me in; Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood applied glory to His name
O, precious fountain that saves from sin, I am so glad I have Entered in; There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood applied glory to His name
Come to this fountain so rich and sweet; Cast your poor soul at the Savior's feet; Plunge in today, and be made complete; Glory to His Name. Glory to His Name, Glory to His Name! There to my heart was the blood-applied glory to His name
God bless,
Pastor David
Copyright © 2002-2012
Teaching the Body of Christ the Word of God; reaching the Lost, mending the broken hearted. God's ultimate agenda is the Unity of the Body of Christ and the Salvation of the Lost. What part are you playing in His Agenda?