John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."







Sunday, November 25, 2012

All You Need Is Love


Series: The Names of God

 Aired: Sunday Nov 25 2012

Title: “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE”

 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is the truest expression of the Christian life, but for many of us, it is the area that we lack the most in. With the hectic pace and pressures today, we can become so preoccupied with our own world that we fail to love one another. This week, Author and Bible teacher, Charles Price, presents a single message about love that is absolutely fundamental to the working of God in our lives; so much so, that anything done without love negates the purpose and validity of it.
There are many passages in Scripture that speak of loving one another. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…” (Romans 13:8). “…Love one another deeply from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22). “Let us love one another, for love comes from God” (1 John 4:7). Loving one another is essential to the outworking of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1-3, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
In our society, the word ‘love’ covers a multitude of things with varying connotations.  To say, “I love my wife” would be far different from saying, “I love chocolate” or “I love my car.” In the Greek translation of the Bible, the word ‘love’ is also multi-faceted and uses three different words to describe it. “Eros”, is used for romantic love or sexual attraction. It’s where our English word ‘erotic’ comes from. The word ‘phileo’ is to have warm affection and friendship towards one another. The city of Philadelphia consists of two Greek words – philea and delphia, which means brotherly love. The third word is ‘agape’, and speaks of the love of God, which is the highest love; one that is freely given and does not depend on being reciprocated.
One of the best definitions of ‘agape’ love is found in Philippians 2:2-4 where Paul writes, “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (NAS). This is a love that puts the needs of others first, is conceived in humility and born of the Spirit of Christ.
Paul writes this letter to the Corinthian church, clarifying the love of Christ, because they were likely the most immature in both their need for love and of loving one another. Numerous problems existed, especially one of division. Some were saying they follow Paul; others were saying they follow Apollos; others following Cephas (Peter) and still others following Christ. Paul answers them. “Is Christ divided? Was I crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” In other words, “You folks are experiencing quarrels among you because you have aligned yourselves to personalities, and when you do that, you have division.” Defining ourselves by who we like and support will create divisions. The Christian church is defined by the centrality of Jesus Christ and by the work of the Holy Spirit, following God’s agenda. Love derives from Christ, Himself, being Lord amongst His people, who are His church.
Paul said to the church in Corinth, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:27).  Paul consistently talks about Christ, the power of His resurrection, how to grow in Him and know Him better. He talks about being reconciled to God through Christ and about His indwelling Spirit working in us and through us. Anything other than Christ that becomes the criteria will divide, because that only leaves us with different opinions and preferences which conflict each other.
The Corinthian church also had a problem with discipline. There was sexual immorality, suing each other in court, getting drunk and feasting at the Lord’s Supper, which is meant to be a meaningful tribute in memory of Christ. They were fighting over spiritual gifts that were not demonstrated in love. They were withholding financial contributions, and in doing so, were saying, “God, you can have my life, but not my money.”
They were also arguing over their doctrine and neglecting some of the most fundamental essentials of the Christian church. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” They needed to understand this, prioritize it and know that it is the life of the risen Lord who indwells them. In the heart of his letter, Paul says, “But unless what you do is an expression of love, all it will be is a noise; empty, clanging cymbals that will accomplish nothing.
The ultimate expression of love is godliness, and that is because God is love. Paul describes love as patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1Corininthians 13:4-8). Were we to replace the word ‘love’ with Jesus Christ and say, “Jesus Christ is patient and kind. He does not envy, He does not boast….” that would stand up wonderfully true, but how would we fare were we to replace the world ‘love’ with our own name?
Love is the fruit of the Spirit Christ is intent on producing in us. The effectiveness of the Church of Jesus Christ is not measured by the fact we have programs and strategies in place, or even money contributed to worthy causes. It is measured by the fact we do these things in love for others, and people are not becoming the beneficiaries of a hundred dollar cheque or a new coat or a prayer book as much as they are becoming a beneficiary of Christ’s love.
Juan Carlos Ortis was a pastor of a church in Buenos Aries with a membership of 300 that had grown rapidly to a membership of 1,000 people. But one day, while driving past a cemetery, Pastor Ortiz realized that the church wasn’t actually growing, but simply getting fat. He said something to the effect that the church used to have 300 unloving Christians, but now they have 1,000 unloving Christians and all that is is spiritual obesity.
He had prepared a message on love, but began to feel quite strongly that he shouldn’t deliver it. Instead, he stood at the pulpit and said, “Brothers and sisters, my text this morning is “Love One Another”.  He remained there for two minutes without saying another word. Then he closed his Bible and sat back down. Two minutes later, he stood up, repeated the same words and sat down again. He did it a third time and the congregation felt uncomfortable. Then someone turned to the person seated beside him, and whispered, “Is there some way I can love you? Is there something I could do for you?” Then someone else turned to someone beside them, and before you knew it, the whole church came alive with people talking.
Twenty-eight unemployed people went home with jobs that day. Single parents went home with another family prepared to help them out. Though the church had lost 300 people, Pastor Ortiz felt he didn’t have the freedom to preach a sermon yet, and persevered with the same message for three months. Then came the announcement of a new message, which received applause. “Love Your Neighbour As Yourselves”. Again, he closed his Bible and sat down. Someone got up and went out the door. Others followed until the entire church was empty. These people had driven home, knocked on their neighbour’s door and began to help them out in whatever way they could. This had a tremendous impact in the community and completely changed the role of the church. Calls kept coming in. “Is this the church that cares about people?”
Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:46-47) Jesus loved everyone, and it is His love in us that must flow through us to touch and transform the lives of those around us.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” - John 13:34 .

This message is from the site: http://www.livingtruth.ca/
By: Charles Price from Living truth.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

WHAT GREAT REFORMATION


The Protestant Reformation
 
Hello dear facebook friends. Perfect peace be multiplied unto you this day. Like usual, it’s an honour to be able to use this space with lots of love and respect to bring you the Gods´ Holy Word! I would like to thank all friends that follow our posts here! May God bless you always! And just to give you a heads-up this article will be long, alright? I do believe this is the longest message that I have posted here, but, we do believe that you will be blessed by it!
 
AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, OCTOBER THE 31ST IS THE DAY WE REMEMBER THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION. Ah, Martin Luther! You should be able to see what went on since then! But...
Let’s refresh our memories what this it is all about:
 
The Protestant Reformation was a Christian reformist movement started in the early sixteenth century by Martin Luther, publishing his 95 Theses, in October 31st /1517 at the door of the Church at the Castle of Wittenberg, he protested several points of the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church , proposing a reformation in Roman Catholicism. The fundamental principles of the Protestant Reformation are known as the Five Solas. The Five Solas are Latin phrases that appeared during the Protestant. And are the fundamental principles of the Reformation in contradiction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the time. The Latin word "sole" means "only".
 
The Five Solas synthesised BASIC THEOLOGICALCREEDS of the reformers, PILLARS which they believed to be ESSENTIAL OF CHRISTIAN LIFE AND PRACTICE. All five implicitly rejected or countered the teachings of the then dominant Roman church, which was in the minds of reformers encroached upon divine attributes or qualities for the Church and its hierarchy, especially his superior, the Pope.
 
THE FIVE SOLAS ARE:
Sola fide - only faith
Solus Christus - Christ only.
Sola gratia - grace only.
Soli Deo gloria - Glory to God only.
Luther was supported by several religious and European leaders provoking a religious revolution, which started in Germany, and extending through Switzerland, France, Netherlands, UK, Scandinavia and some parts of Eastern Europe, especially the Baltic countries and Hungary. The response of the Roman Catholic Church was the movement known as the Counter Reformation or Catholic Reformation, initiated the Council of Trent. The result of the Protestant Reformation was the division called: The Church of the West between the Roman Catholic and the Reformed or Protestant, originating the PROTESTANTISM.
 
Well. Far from me to criticize or to bully those dared in history to break with religious traditions and "rigidities in respect Christians" to accomplish this Revolution that culminated in the Protestant Reformer! I'm not here to be sarcastic or disrespectful with our history, but we cannot deny that Martin Luther had to be able to see what the Reformation resulted in our Century!
 
After much struggle, many persecutions, so much bloodshed and much dedication and effort of the church fathers... We come to our century, "proud" of being Protestants! In reality, I think is that we are hitchhikers on the bandwagon! Today, perhaps someone dares to brag because we are Protestants, but the TRUTH is; we are in NEED OF ANOTHER REFORMATION! WE need to recognize that the Protestant Church has truly grown; we have seen many souls surrender at the Feet of Jesus. Protestant Churches are multiplying largely in Brazil and in the entire World, but, we are far away from the BASIC CREEDS OF THEOLOGICAL REFORMATION!!
 
How could we withdraw so far away? Did we evolve? Nothing! In the objective of reformulating which needed no amendments, we have departed from SIMPLICITY! We created a Pyrotechnic Protestantism! A "PENTECOSTAL FANTASY ISLAND" where many live on deception.
 
If the Founders of the Church were still with us, they would have a heart attack! They must be turning in their graves! Because what we see in Protestantism today it is reproachful! We no longer protest but now we agree with everything, we follow the wave of quick success! Far from being a repetitive, but without ceasing to be, WE FAIL TO TREAT SIN AS SIN! WE ARE "SELLING INDULGENCES" IN A MORE SOPHISTICATED WAY! Nowadays we even have little machines for credit cards in our services for those who want to make a donation to the Church or tithing! Our Churches have become major centers of entertainment and people are invited not to know and receive Jesus, but to participate in a SHOW!
 
Our children are taken out from the Worship and entertained to be distracted with frivolous things by people who are unprepared and without Fellowship with God, where in the little rooms are imposed films and cartoons, often, not Christians, a true model of lack of commitment and vision of the Kingdom of God. Our teenagers in order to be attracted are taken watch movies disguised as worship, where they dance the forró music or funk! Our young people do not pray anymore, no longer preach, quite a few of them do not even carry a Bible anymore to the Church!
 
From the Church Worship, they go to "ballads", “parties” where nobody is nobodies! Our adults are there watching and standing still, doing nothing. Waiting for something they do not quite know what it is! Our old, frustrated with the innovations ... We still we hear rumbles from some which resist the new trends! But what are they facing this great elephant called CONTEXTUALISATION?!
 
And what can we say about the leaders? Our leaders, the exact ones that rejected Luther, the keep on going on to PROUD to listen to the “complaints” of the low class! They are too occupied in the meeting rooms with air conditioning on; in their luxury cars, on their jets ... In their "prosperity meetings", they "shake" the people, manipulate the masses, huge crowds! And whoever dares to disagree is frozen or cooked to the "slow cooker"! Lives are not prioritized; right now the thing at the current time is to manage things!
 
Then, we follow in this erring conflicting and infamous entanglement of emotions! To receive any attention of these, only if one has some "rubbles" or being influential, otherwise you do not receive a compliment or any attention at all! They choose who is helpful to their "expansion plans", their disciples and cooperators cannot think or disagree, only perform, because they need to be loyal to the Vision and to the Leader! A "long live" our "the colonels"!
 
And what about our Worship meetings? Ahhh... Anything similar to what the people of Israel offered to God in the first chapter of Isaiah would be a compliment! We are better! We managed to overcome the displeasure to the People of that time! Now, we use Light Show; we have songs for breakthrough; we have temples have air conditioned and cozy with ample parking and everything else! We even have Mini Shopping’s and Food Court! We have absolutely everything, except God! We have the latest technology, but we have no Anointing! We have overwhelming emotions with the songs; but we do not have any submission to God, no humbleness! We have so much emphasis on the words, but we do not have any Conversions! We have so many changes and improvements but we have no TRANSFORMATION of Lives!
 
The best ones we have are "gospels show artists gospels"; walkway of fashion; behavioral tendencies; lust and disrespect to the place of worship to the God who is Holy! ... Innovations which reveal the desperation of the necessity of self-assertion and reveal our "partnership" with the world! Our hymns today are true "Battlefield" where "whoever humiliated you will be humiliated!" "Whoever saw you fallen right now will have to put up with you smiling!" "Whoever despised you, will see you on the Stage being applauded Standing up!" We are in constant battle among Christians. One always trying to be better than his brother, or sister. We desperately are seeking for honour and for recognition, and in the middle of this battle, love is something dispensable! No one cares to pulling the rug out from underneath each other and thus way here we go on the "Chariot of Luxury".
 
We abandoned the Sacred Hymns; forgot those songs that had message inspired by God! That shook the heart and the soul and not the body! What we have today is rhythm and nothing else! Noise of "Empty Cans"! We are in the market now, folks! The interesting thing is to be a "commercial" and not spiritual! With all such atrocities, the Holy Spirit, (remember him?), Is far ... Grieved! Isolated of everything, as faced with so many opportunities and sensations to explore , we no longer have time for Him in our Worship, in our lives, and in our homes ... THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE NEED URGENTLY A PROTESTANT REFORMATION! There is no doubt that we are on the verge of complete chaos and, far from being apocalyptic, tragic and pessimistic, we are living just about a TOTAL COLLAPSE of Evangelical Institution in the World!
 
Do you want to confirm this? Look at the Cradle of REFORMATION! As Europe is today we are going to be tomorrow in terms of spirituality and Revival! It is not surprising the fact that on a everyday bases we face more and more uprisings against the Church, through policy, through activists and many more! We abandoned the BASIC TEACHINGS OF THE REFORM! We urgently need to get back to the "Five Solas"! And look I am summarizing the situation, because I know many who will read this article will bring even much more of what's happening in the midst of Protestants! Today, October 31, is Reformation Day, we have much to celebrate! We should follow the counsel of God through Joel: “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” – Jl. 2:13.
 
We should come back to first love and observance of God's Word! I know all this PROTEST may be insignificant in compare of such need, know that I can be being execrated now, this very moment that you, Dear reader, meditate on these lines of desperate outburst! But I cannot deny our Protestant Origins! Today, October 31st, we should be visiting a grave of PROTESTANTISM! Because the Prophets of God are being pruned and despised in the House of the Lord! We urgently need a PROTESTANT REFORMATION.
 
Of a REFORMATION that brings us back to God, which will make us recognize our miseries and our omission before so many needs! We need a REFORMATION that will awaken to be that for which God has called us! That will transform us into soul winners for the Kingdom of God! A REFORMATION of our VALUES AND OUR CHARACTER! We need a OVERALL REFORMATION and make us return to the ROOT of PROTESTANTISM ! Today, October 31st , we are not worthy of celebrating! We cannot boast of having done something to add to our fathers work. In their time, they had no paraphernalia technology as we have today! In their time, they travelled absurd and inhumane distances to take the Lord's Supper to a soul! In their time, was shed blood and they gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel! In their time, shead tears! At their time they studied the Bible in search of messages Revealed by God, not by Google!
 
In their time, they had the Fear of the Lord ! At their time, there was more love ...
May God help us beloved! May God have mercy upon us and give us grace so we can stand up and be as He called us to be. Our objective here is going to be reached if, at least, one Christian will be awakened! Our objective here is to make visible the Will of God to the hearts that cry out for a RESPONSE in such difficult times! Our objective here is to make you reflect in the real needs of Gods´ Kingdom! In this kingdom, there is no room for luxuries nor disputes! There is neither place for pride nor place for boasting! In this Kingdom, there is no room for lies and politicizing’.
In Gods´ Kingdom there is Room for the “WASHED E REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS! If we were living this kind of REFORMATION, than we could say: WOW, WHAT A GREAT REFORMATION!!
 
Stay in the Perfect Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pr. Paulo Giovane S. Fonseca.
Translated by: Antonina Penner.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

I want to share the Newsletter with You from Living Truth


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View this in your web browser.



Dear Antonina,
I am writing today with good news. Last year we asked you to help us translate Living Truth into Spanish. Once translated, your support enabled us to begin broadcasting in Latin America. Today, we air in 26 Spanish-speaking countries.
Yet, in many ways, our work is just beginning.
As a supporter of Living Truth, you already know that we are focused on bringing the Living Word of God WORLDWIDE, supporting pastors, church leaders and believers. In each language and each nation, our prayer is to make disciples – not just bring the Bible – but to make disciples.
Many Christian leaders consider disciple-making the greatest challenge facing the Church today. In Latin America the Church is growing extremely fast. While we celebrate the remarkable work of the Holy Spirit, we recognize that now is the time to teach these new Christians so that they can grow in their walk with Christ.
Failure to shape their worldview and lifestyle through Biblical teaching will cause many to fall away into unbelief or false teaching.
In places where the Church is growing rapidly, there is a crisis of leadership. Men and women are following the call of God, but they lack the resources they need to be trained. Solid Scriptural teaching is lacking in many regions. The church is growing very rapidly.
Today we are asking you to join us as we expand into Spanish-speaking countries. Whether you give $100 or $10,000, your gift will be used for Bible teaching and discipleship ministry throughout Latin America.
This summer I visited Chile and Colombia. I want to tell you that my spirit was filled with joy as I walked alongside church leaders in each of these nations. Yet, the incredible need broke my heart.
In my home, on my bookshelves, I have hundreds of resources. I have the privilege of reading the writings of great men and women of God as they encourage, teach and admonish.
This is not the case in all countries.
In both countries we visited, Christian leaders struggled to make do with a tattered copy of the Scriptures.
I would like to walk through both countries, quickly giving you a glimpse of their need.


The nation of Chile is in the midst of transformation. The political movement from dictatorship to a democracy is opening many doors. The country and its people are moving on from a scarred past. In the 1970’s and 80’s, the country was deeply affected by Pinochet’s reign of terror. As many as 80,000 people were tortured or murdered. Many others ‘disappeared’ or were forced to leave the country.
Today, Chile is plagued by social problems. Young girls have struggles and one out of every seven is a mother before she is fourteen. Crime, drug abuse and materialism are all on the rise. Poverty is widespread.
Democratic structures have grown strong, but much progress is still needed for a fair, just and prosperous Chile to emerge. Forgiveness and grace are essential for this to happen. Chile needs the Gospel.
Evangelical Christians used to be persecuted in Chile. Now, they’re in a position to play a pivotal role in Chilean society. Christians are participating in government and there is even an official Evangelical public holiday. Today Chile is very open to the Gospel.
Andres Carrasco is a man with a calling. He’s walking the length of Chile, knocking on every radio station door, asking them to broadcast Living Truth. You see, he understands that many of the people are illiterate or have no access to a Bible. Through the radio broadcasts, they can hear the Word of God regularly. He knows the power of the Scriptures. For a long time he prayed that there would be something that would help disciple new Christians. Living Truth was an answer to his prayers.


In the 16th and 17th centuries, Europeans believed that somewhere in the New World there was a place of immense wealth known as El Dorado. It supposedly had unlimited gold.
Spanish explorers heard stories about a tribe of natives high in the Andes Mountains in what is now Colombia. When a new chieftain rose to power, his rule began with a ceremony at Lake Guatavita.
To this day, people go to the lake to immerse themselves to appease the Guatavita gods. New believers blend ancient myths with Christianity instead of looking to Christ alone. The result is an idolatrous religious practice full of fear and uncertainty.
Some pastors in present day Guatavita look to Living Truth to help them open the eyes of people who are enslaved to these kinds of myths and legends.
Julio Duarte and his wife, Vicki Garcia have faced many hardships while trying to bring the Truth to the people of Zipaquira, in the Andes Mountains. Here, we see the influence of myth and tradition.
Julio and Vicki were ready to give up before Living Truth offered much needed resources for their growing church.

Making Desciples

At the time of Christ, when Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, there were an estimated 200 million people alive on planet earth.
Today, the World Bank reports a global population of almost seven billion people.
Yet, in spite of the massive population increase, our world has become a village.
Through television, radio and internet, we are able to reach millions of people. In fact, every Sunday morning the Living Truth broadcast is seen in 40 countries of the world.
You could never do that back in earlier centuries.
We have been given the responsibility to go into the world and preach the gospel, but notice go into all the world, not just go to the world. This is not megaphone evangelism where you go and just shout it to people.
Go into the world – that is incarnational. We are to go into the communities and the lives of the people to which we are to take this gospel.
Evangelism today has many facets. Television is useful where people have access to a broadcast signal and the resources to buy a television set. Books, CDs and DVDs can be used in Bible study groups. Solar powered audio players are in much demand by people who cannot read. A web site is a resource for videos, transcripts, daily devotionals and study guides for literally millions of Spanish-speaking populations.
I ask you to join us in our Bible teaching and discipling ministry.
Please use the form enclosed to send your special gift. We cannot go, personally, to every man, woman and child. But we can take the Good News, the Word of God to equip men and women whom God has called, giving them solid Biblical resources to use in their ministries.
We are a part of a global work that God has orchestrated. Join us by sending your gift today.
Yours in Christ,
Charles Price
Living Truth/The Peoples Church
P.S. I am grateful for your support. For God is opening many doors, giving us an opportunity to work together for the glory of Jesus Christ.


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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2012

STAND STILL AND WAIT
by David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

God speaks to His people by the voice of His Spirit: "Thine ears shall hear a
word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the
right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21).

The voice of His Spirit comes to us primarily through the Scriptures. He may
open up a biblical passage that will be the key to our deliverance. But before
we can hear His voice of direction, God requires something of us: We are to
stand still and wait for Him to act.

This word is not a suggestion but a commandment. It is the secret to our total
victory and deliverance. Indeed, the Lord commanded His people to stand still
on many occasions.

In Joshua 3 we read of another crossing Israel had to make, at the Jordan
River. God instructed the people: "When ye are come to the brink of the water
of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan" (Joshua 3:8). Then the Lord added:
"As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests . . . shall rest in the waters
of Jordan . . . the waters of Jordan shall be cut off . . . and they shall stand
upon an heap" (verse 13).

God was saying, "When you get to the water, plant your feet in it and just
stand there. Be still, rest. Just wait for Me to act and I will part the waters
for you!"

The Hebrew word for stand still in this passage means "stop all activity, cease
all striving." Yet, how many Israelites obeyed when they came to the Jordan? As
they stood with their feet in the water, many must have thought, "How do we
know this is going to work?"

Some might have been tempted to build some sort of pontoon bridge and try to
get across on their own ingenuity. But that would have been in vain.

God did act on that occasion — He parted the waters. Israel's act of
obedience was accompanied by faith — and God answered their faith!




Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/19925?src=devo-email

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Title: “Celebrating in our Circumstances”

Series: JOY WHEN LIFE IS TOUGH  
Read ths Message in:  http://www.livingtruth.ca/
Aired: Sunday Aug 26 2012
Title: “Celebrating in our Circumstances”
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
The life of the Apostle Paul was continually characterized by hardship and persecution. He couldn’t live under his circumstances as that would have been too depressing and discouraging, and neither could he live above them. But incredibly, Paul celebrated in them. What was his secret? This week, Author and Bible teacher, Charles Price, tells us how we can live in tough and trying situations with a sense of joy and purpose, derived from the presence of Christ within us.
In Philippians 4:11, Paul says, “I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances,” and in the next verse, he says again, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” This is not a result of a buoyant personality, but is something Paul had to learn, and if Paul had to learn how to be content, then it is something we too can learn.
Paul often found himself the subject of scorn, particularly from his fellow Jews. In 2 Corinthians, Chapter 11, he defends his apostleship to the church in Corinth, because they’d been infiltrated by what he describes as “pseudo apostles.” They were claiming authority they didn’t have and Paul responds with, “Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again” (2 Corinthians 11:23). Remarkably, Paul is saying that the evidence that he is God’s chosen man, commissioned by Him, are the brutalities and oppositions he’s faced and endured.
We live in a rather soft age, where we’ve placed our dependency on our own capabilities and resources. So much is made easy with a press of a button and in our high tech world, God gets left on the back burner. That’s why, again and again, He takes His choicest servants and makes life difficult for them in order to strip them of every other object of dependency but Him. That’s how Paul became the man he was, and many others throughout Scripture like Abraham, Moses and David, whose only recourse was to turn to God.
Paul goes on to talk about his sufferings and persecutions. Five times he’d received the fourty lashes minus one, three times beaten with rods, and once stoned and left for dead. He’d been shipwrecked several times and in danger from rivers, bandits, his own countrymen, Gentiles; danger in the city, in the country, at sea and from false brothers. He had known hunger and thirst and often gone without sleep. He’d been cold, naked, exhausted and constantly on the move, many times fleeing for his life. Yet he says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
When faced with hardships and persecutions, we tend to think we’re out of the will of God, but in our service to God, it is actually evidence that we are in the will of God. We cannot make the assumption that everything will run smoothly. That was never true in Scripture, nor throughout history, and certainly not true in the life of Paul or of Jesus.
Tough and trying circumstances will either drive us from God or to God. Driving us from God, we become bitter and resentful, but to God, we learn the secret of being content, regardless of how difficult our situations. They are not the focal point, but God and His purposes are. And Paul, stripped of everything but God, says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” That doesn’t mean he could jump into a ring with Mike Tyson and win. The context in which he wrote this was describing circumstances he’d experienced: “whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”, he could do all things in Christ who gives him strength. The Amplified Bible translation says, “I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me; I am ready for anything. I am equal to anything, through Christ who infuses inner strength into me.”
In short, “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency”.
After Paul’s third missionary journey, he was headed back to Jerusalem with the intent of going on to Spain. When he reached Caesarea, a coastal town about 50 miles from Jerusalem, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea to warn Paul of impending danger in Jerusalem. He took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘in this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles’.” After hearing this, the people pleaded with Paul not to go, but Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready, not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). The Lord was giving Paul the option of whether to go or not, but Paul is saying he’s ready for anything, not because of stoicism, but because of his awareness of the sufficiency of Christ within him. He knew there wasn’t any circumstance he would face that would be bigger than the power of Christ within Him.
We can have a Jesus who is little more than the patron of our theology, but he’d be remote. We can have a Jesus who is simply our teacher or an example to follow, but again, he’d be remote. Or we can have a Jesus who is at the very heart of everything that takes place in our lives. He is our life, and that’s the Jesus Paul knew every time his boat sank, every time he was whipped, beaten, imprisoned and scorned. It’s why his letter to the Philippians is such a remarkable one, because there is more autobiographical information about Paul’s life, and every time it’s about the things that humanly speaking should have knocked him down and pushed him out. But to the very end, his security, his life, his strength was in Jesus. That’s why he could say, “My God will meet all your needs, according to his riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
The secret Paul had to learn in being content both internally and externally in any and every situation was complete and utter dependence upon the indwelling Spirit of Christ. The presence of Christ within us is the very essence of Christian life. Paul survived externally in a tough, pagan world because he knew that whatever pushed him down or held him back, was another opportunity to exhibit the life of Christ within him. And for Paul, as well as every Christian, that is reason to celebrate!


[1] http://www.livingtruth.ca/

Thursday, August 16, 2012

HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY?

David Wilkerson Today
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY?
by David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]
It must have shocked Jesus to hear Thomas say, "Lord, we know not whither thou
goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Thomas was really saying,
"Jesus, You speak so intimately about going to Your Father, but we don't know
Him as You do. How can we know the way to the Father?"
This was a confession. Thomas was admitting, "Lord, we know You. We've been
intimate with You for the past three years, but we have no revelation of who
the Father is — of His love, His care, His tenderness. Please, before You go,
show us the Father." Yet, that is just what Jesus had been doing for the past
three years. His disciples had missed the revelation.
If we fully understand that we have a loving, caring heavenly Father, why would
we ever be downcast when the enemy comes against us? Why would we despair over a
financial burden that seems overwhelming? Why would we wonder why we cannot seem
to get victory over a besetting sin?
Listen carefully to Jesus' answer to Thomas. It has everything to do with us:
"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also" (John 14: 7).
Then Philip speaks up: "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us" (verse
8). Jesus could not believe what He was hearing. You can almost hear the
incredulity in His voice as He answers Philip: "Have I been so long time with
you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the
Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" (verse 9).
In other words: "Thomas, Philip, my precious disciples, how can you ask this?
You say you know Me, that we are intimate. Yet how could you miss the
revelation I have spent the past three years giving you? Don't you yet see that
all the mighty works I did were the Father in Me revealing who He is, what He is
like, what He wants to be to you? All I taught you was from His heart, not
Mine."
Jesus' whole life was an illustrated sermon. Day by day, with every miracle He
performed and every parable He taught, He was expressing who the Father is. And
He sent His Holy Spirit so His followers could do even greater works and keep
revealing the Father's love to new generations.
 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

A Message from Living Truth




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Abraham said to his servant, 'Go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.'


 Hello Everyone,
The decision of whom to marry is one of the toughest ones a Christian will ever make in his or her life. A lifetime commitment to one person is not something to be undertaken lightly.
As with all our hard decisions, the Bible gives us much guidance on how to choose a spouse. In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. Abraham’s rocky road of faith makes him a good example for us.
In this letter, I would like to do two things: first, to remind you of the three core ingredients of a healthy marriage; and secondly, I would like to give you ten points to help choose a spouse. While you may have already walked through this part of your life’s journey, you may want to use these points to share with your family and friends.
The three fundamental ingredients to a healthy marriage are these: a mutual respect for each other, a mutual trust in one another, and mutual love towards one another.
Respect, trust and love one another as whole, individual people. Finding and marrying the right person is important, of course, but it does not guarantee that everything will follow easily and smoothly. God doesn’t promise an easy road.
Remember: anything to which God calls you, God Himself is committed to. He instituted marriage and he is committed to marriage. Bring Him in as the architect of your marriage, and He will see it through.
As you seek God in choosing a spouse, here are some helpful insights from Abraham’s courtship:
  1. Remember, there is a right time and place that God has appointed.
  2. When you look, look amongst believers.
  3. Trust God to guide you.
  4. Actively seek and look for your spouse – but don’t jump in too early.
  5. Pray for guidance and wisdom.
  6. Look and test for character.
  7. Take time to get to know your future spouse.
  8. Learn about your future spouse’s family and traditions.
  9. While the decision to marry is between you and your spouse, include your families on the journey and share how God has led you together.
  10. When you say ‘Yes,’ understand that at that moment you have committed to begin a new journey, one that is no longer yours, but ‘ours.’
The Bible contains many practical messages. At Living Truth, we are grateful for the many doors God has opened to us to speak of His Truth in many different countries and cultures. As you know, this is a ministry of faith – we trust that God will provide our needs.
We are also pleased to publish a daily devotional each month. As of this month, this daily devotional will be increased from one to two pages per day.
Your prayerful support encourages us to continue. Your gift of $50, $150 or $500 today enables us to continue teaching the lessons and messages of the Bible to those who are unable to attend church.
For those who have a local church family, our weekly teaching augments their spiritual journey.
God works in mysterious ways. Every new opportunity to air our show is a blessing.
Yours in Christ,
Charles Price
Living Truth/The Peoples Church

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012


NEVER FORGET WHAT HE DID FOR YOU
by David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]
Jesus told a parable about a servant who had been forgiven a great debt
(Matthew 18:23-35). This man found grace and mercy with his master but then he
took that grace and mercy for granted. Immediately after he was forgiven, he
went out and began to choke a man who owed him a small, insignificant amount,
demanding, "Pay me what you owe me!" When the debtor asked the man for mercy,
the man refused and had the debtor jailed.
Why was this man so judgmental? Why did he lack mercy? It was because he did
not consider his own unworthiness. He did not understand how hopeless and
exceedingly sinful his own life was. He did not appreciate the danger he had
been in, how close to death he had been before he'd been shown mercy. When the
master found out what the ungrateful man had done to the other debtor, he had
him thrown into jail for life.
While I was working on this message, the Lord stopped me and said, "David,
forget your message right now. I want to talk to you about your judgmental
spirit, your lack of mercy."
I thought, "Me, Lord? I'm one of the most merciful preachers in America." But
He began to review all the things I had said to young preachers, things I had
blurted out sharply. Then He reminded me of all the insensitive things I'd said
to people who had failed, people I'd given up on.
That session absolutely wiped me out. I wept before the Lord. When I asked God
how this could be, He answered, "You've forgotten what I did for you, the
incredible mercy I showed you. How many times did I dig you out of something
that could have destroyed you? You wouldn't be here without My mercy."
Beloved, before you can offer mercy to someone else, you must look at the pit
where you would be without God's mercy. Only then can you say, "Oh, God, I know
what You did for me and You can do the same for my friend who is in sin. At one
time I was just as wicked in Your sight. I can't judge this friend, because You
had mercy on me."
That is where you must begin!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

FULL OF HOPE

David Wilkerson Today
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012
FULL OF HOPE
by David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]
Joshua and Caleb were among the twelve spies sent to spy out the Promised Land.
They didn't shed tears, bemoaning the conditions they had found. Rather, they
rejoiced after searching out the land and came back full of hope, faith and
vision.
Do you know Christians like this? They are always rejoicing. You know they are
enduring awful trials, yet they seem to know how to get hold of God in the
midst of their situation.
What about you? Are you always down, always complaining? Perhaps your personal
problems or family situations have possessed you and eaten up your soul.
Beloved, no matter what you are going through, you are precious to God. If you
come to Him with a repentant heart and a hungry soul, He will give you His
vision and hope.
Joshua and Caleb had a revelation of their value in God's eyes and they knew
Israel was special to the Lord. That was the key to their hopeful, victorious
spirit. Joshua said, "If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into
this land, and give it us" (Numbers 14:8). In other words, "Because He delights
in us, we are as good as in the land already."
This is the same revelation David had: "He brought me out and delivered me
because He delighted in me." Likewise, every victorious Christian today has
this same revelation of the loving heavenly Father: "We can't fail! All our
enemies are meat for us, because we are precious to the Lord. He delights in
us."
Let me reveal to you the great mercy of God in the preaching of Joshua and
Caleb. Israel had spent the night in rebellion, wallowing in unbelief, weeping
as though God had forsaken them, and finally appointing a captain to lead them
back to Egypt. Yet the Lord sent Joshua and Caleb to them and they told the
people, "In spite of your night of confusion — in spite of all your misery
and complaining — God delights in you. He will lead you forward. Fear not,
for you are precious to Him" (see Numbers 14:9).

Thursday, June 21, 2012

DOES GOD AFFLICT HIS CHILDREN?

David Wilkerson Today
THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2012
DOES GOD AFFLICT HIS CHILDREN?
by David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]
Does God afflict His own children? Listen to the psalmist's answer: "For thou,
O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest
us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to
ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest
us out into a wealthy place" (Psalm 66:10-12).
The psalmist is saying, "Lord, You put me in waters so high over my head that I
thought I would drown. You put me into the fire, to try me as silver is tried.
You brought me into a net, laid affliction on me, caused men to trounce on me!"
Why did God allow such afflictions? It was because He was bringing His beloved
child into a "wealthy place." In the original Hebrew this phrase means "a place
of abundant fruitfulness." God is saying, "I'm taking you through all these hard
places to make you fruitful for My kingdom."
Yet not all afflictions are from the hand of God. Many troubles come from the
devil himself, straight from the pits of hell. "For he [God] doth not afflict
willingly nor grieve the children of men" (Lamentations 3:33). God says, "I get
no joy out of afflicting My children. That is not My purpose in allowing
troubles." No, the Lord allows our afflictions only for His eternal purposes,
to bring us into a "wealthy place."
I cringe with amazement as I remember all the sorrows, trials, deep waters,
flaming fires and powerful afflictions I have seen over the years. And usually
when afflictions came, they came not just one at a time, but in bundles. Many
times I thought, "There is no way I can make it through this." Even the
memories of afflictions are painful — memories of slander, chastenings of the
Lord, ministry trials, personal buffetings, family problems, bodily pains and
aches. Yet, as I recall those years of suffering, I can say with assurance,
"God's Word is true. He brought me out of every affliction that came upon me
and I praise Him!"

Sunday, June 17, 2012

God Blesses us in Christ Jesus


Eph. 1:3   "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ".

Today I want to share with you a thought based on this Bible verse a just stated here.  The apostle Paul invites us to praise God  and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

When someone invites you to do something there is a reason behind it. And Paul had a reason, because since he met Jesus as his Lord and Saviour  he learned how important it is to foccus on what the Word of God says we need to do. Paul started to do this when he became a christian, and he guides us in the things he learned; so he invites us to praise our God.

Let me ask you something; "Do you have a reason to praise your God and Heavenly Father today"?

Paul gives us a wonderful guide in this verse and he teaches us to praise God, because he has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Now do we really know how many blessing God has in store for us? 

We can learn from the Bible, and the Word of God guides us in all these beautifull things our God prepared for us.

The Bible says God is our refuge, our strong Tower, we do not need to be afraid or discouraged in any situation, God is always there for us.  Let us foccus on what the Bible tells us..

God´s blessing are there for us in Christ Jesus. Have you already invited Jesus into your heart some day??

Today is a proper day for this. God bless you as you do, and all the blessings that God promisse will be there for you in Christ Jesus as well.

May God bless you.

Monday, June 11, 2012

ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT?

Hello everyone, as I read this message, I was encouraged to share it with you. If you would like more of these messages, at the buttom is a link of the site you can subscribe to the devotionals  "Of David Wilkerson today". May God Bless you.


David Wilkerson Today
MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012
ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT?
by Gary Wilkerson

Don’t settle for partial victories just because you are weary, frustrated or
feeling helpless. God never stops at half a victory. The moment you feel so
tired you can’t take one more step is often the moment He is about to give
the greatest victory — when the breakthrough is about to come.

The church is not meant to be composed of masses and crowds who want comfort,
pleasure and everything handed to them on a silver platter. The church is meant
to be like “Gideon’s 300,” warriors who say, “God, I know this is going
to be a fight. I know it is going to be wearisome and will even cause tears to
flow but, God, I’m with You in this battle!”

You may feel that you have prayed the last prayer you’re ever going to be
able to pray about the need that is pressing you. You are exhausted but you
must stay in the fight. Don’t stop praying and don’t give up. Yes, it has
been a long day! Nighttime is coming and inside you are saying, “It’s time
for me to sleep.”  But instead God says, “No, no, the fight is just
starting.”


What has happened to the all-night prayer meetings in churches? What has
happened to people waiting on God? What has happened to people who fast and
pray for a breakthrough?
The church was called into battle. It was not begun just to have good services
and a nice building with lights that go off and on during the music. That’s
not why we’re here! We are here to do battle against the gates of hell
because we have a promise that hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:18). We do not
have a promise that it won’t be strenuous or that all we have to do is whisper
and the gates of hell will not prevail. No! There is going to be a battle and
Satan is not going to give up easily — but we have a promise.
It’s going to take a battle! Are you ready to fight?
 

Friday, June 1, 2012

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD

Isaiah 43: 10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-- I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?
Are we really walking with Christ, and are we really living the way Christ wants us to live? Are we walking with the love of Christ with others and sharing what we believe what Jesus wants us to do? . So it means are we on the battle for Christ and are we seeking others to reach the life of others for Christ?
Are we really walking with Christ, are we really living the way Christ wants us to live? We shall walk in the love of Christ with others and share what we believe that Jesus wants us to share with others. Are we being missionaries and going out in the world and telling everyone. Jesus is the only way too heaven. Children also need to learn that Christ loves all of them.
In the world there are so many children that never heard about the love of Christ before.. Children need too also learn and tell their friends about Christ. Let’s go and share what we know about Jesus and share with all those that have not heard about God´s love.
God bless you,
Monica

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Blessed are those whose delight is in the Law of God


Psalm 1:1-6
1 Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; On his law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked shall perish.

Hello Everyone,
Today I would like to share this Psalm with you. In my experience, these six verses have made a big difference in my life. The psalmist says blessed is the man who doesn´t walk in the counsel of the wicked. For long time I thought no normal person is going to go to wicked people to ask them for advice. But, than I learned another lesson, wicked people don´t always show it to us, that they are wicked, but you can tell by how they live and if their counsel is based on what God calls good. This is how we can know if we should accept it. He continues saying; Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers.
If I as a Christian want to go and be in places where wicked people are, how can I expect God to bless me? If I act as a person that is not a child of God, or if I walk the ways our God does not agree on, how I can expect for Him to bless me?
Verses 2 he says: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; On his law he meditates day and night. Instead of asking the person we should ask our God for counsel, this is the right way to proceed. To read the Bible and meditate on it, is so blessed, this way we can find the right path in life. He compares the person with a tree, on the streams of water.
3 He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
The blessing we receive from our God is the promise that we will bring fruit in its season. This means when we make life´s decisions on the Word of our God, than we will prosper in everything we do.
The wicked described by the psalmist here, are the people who do not seek the Lord our God for counsel, who do not live according to God´s commands. He describes that the wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
The Psalmist says; For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked shall perish.
Do you believe God knows your life, and how you decide what you do, and based on what you make your decisions? Who do you listen to, to make your decisions? Do you follow your heart to decide, or do you go after the wrong people to ask for help?
The psalmist had an experience in his life, that when he went to God for help, his life´s decisions had better results. I want to encourage you today, to seek the Lord Our God for help, and in His word we find the right answer.

Jesus came to give us life.


 John 10:10 “The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly”. 3-4 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice”.
 Jesus says that he gives us life abundantly. What does Jesus mean with this? He died on the cross for our sins that we don’t need to go to hell. Now that he saved us, he has given us eternal life.

Now we can live in the kingdom of heaven and glory Jesus already here on earth. How can we live here on earth he has guide us? Verse says that his sheep hear his voice. He tell us how to walk in his Word. Aren’t you glad we have Jesus?

Thank you Aunt Antonina for helping me write it correctly, I have a great coach in you.
Monica

Rev. Billy Graham