by Joseph | Jan 10, 2009 | Preparation, Sharing
I’ve heard it said many times by many people that only the strong shall survive. From experience over the last 19 years of Pastoring, I have never seen this statement lived out in reality. There is always some set of circumstances and situations that ultimately destroy the strength of the human spirit. Fear seems to be the ultimate culprit of our demise.
In the beginning when Adam and Eve were in the garden yielded to sin, the first response after their disobedience was fear. They hid themselves. In other words their strength was gone. Our struggle with fear is well documented throughout scripture. It must be pointed out that thtis is the goal of enemy that we hide from God. Therefore, we can say that fear is one of the fundamental tools that Satan uses against us.
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by Joseph | Jan 9, 2009 | Preparation, Sharing
My lovely wife, Donna shared the following:
When reading the Scriptures, it never ceases to amaze me of how God speaks on more than one ‘level’ within each context. It is my observation and opinion that He usually speaks in His Word on three main levels at once. Today, He lead me to a portion that really works as that example.
Here are the ways I see that God speaks all at the same time:
1. Spiritual. He of course speaks to us in our Spiritual walk with Him. The Word is full of reminders of our walk and how He is our Restorer and His Promises are True. He guides us by what we should and should not do for our Spiritual well being.
2. Literal/Physical – Yes, the Bible is historical, but more than that I believe God tells us physically what has happened, what WILL happen and personally where we are/will be in this life. He speaks of our physical place (where we live or move) and our position or role in this life.
3. Israel – As God’s Chosen Race, He always is wooing His beloved people. Each verse has something to say to the Hebrew Nation. In times of prosperity, war or His return. All verses are pointed for the Chosen People of God.
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by Joseph | Nov 9, 2008 | Preparation, Sharing
There is no greater entertainment on the planet, than sitting in an airport. I travel quite a bit, so I actually get entertained quite frequently. I love watching people rushing about trying to get to their destinations. It never fails that there is always drama with people missing flights or haveing their flight delayed.
I watch the different ways people handle the stress, and how they interact with people around them – or with the flight crew. I can’t help but form an opinion on what must be happening in their lives by how they handle the difficulty. I’ve actually seen several instances where police have been called to intervene with the unruly and frustrated individual.
As I look at faces I encounter at the airport, I’m reminded of the tremendous hurt that seems to be spreading across the world. The difficulties of a global economy that seems to be in ruin, terrorism, wars and rumors of wars, and of course, natural disasters all over the world. Many of the faces I see are people without hope and are afraid of an uncertain future.
The Bible teaches that the difficulties we see today will increase as the time of our Kings return grows closer. As John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, many are now called to be in preparation for His soon return. Everywhere I go I seem to have divine appointements with people who have felt a “Preparation Call”. Many aren’t quite sure what they are to do, but they want to connect with others who are in preparation.
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by Joseph | Nov 7, 2008 | Preparation, Sharing
Shared by: Jeff Rowland
You’ve heard it said that you don’t know who your friends are until the bottom drops out from under you. We have all had fair weather friends that are there when things are going great, but a true friend does not leave you when things are falling apart. The scriptures declare that God is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
The ultimate measure of friendship is not measured during comfort and convenience, but during challenge and controversy.
Therefore the test of friendship comes during adversity.
God shows His great faithfulness to us during times of adversity in our lives. I love the emphatic statement that Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful.” All through the scriptures God has proven His faithfulness to His people.
Abraham received a promise of a son. When it looked as though this promise would never be realized, God proved His faithfulness. Noah received a word from the Lord that there would be a flood. Though time passed and it looked as though this word would never come to pass, God in His faithfulness fulfilled this word and provided for Noah. God again proved His faithfulness to Elijah by feeding him with the birds. God again proved His great power and faithfulness to Gideon with just 300 men. God met with a little boy named David in His battle with Goliath. God parted a sea for His children to cross over on dry ground. Jesus Christ met Peter while walking on the water. He shook the jail for Paul and Silas. On and on we can name instances where the Lord proved His faithfulness to His children.
Remember that true faithfulness is proven during times of adversity and hardship. This brings us to the opportunity there is for the believer during these times.
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by Joseph | Nov 6, 2008 | Preparation, Sharing
It’s a great time to be a called servant of the King Most High. I am actually thankful for the election of Obama as President of the USA. Yep, I said it.
Certainly, and obviously, the other candidate was my choice – but, the day is now here that the Called of Christ have to make a stand. We’ve hidden in our “churches” with smiles and nice programs for our youth, and preached against those who kill babies, and those who wed in same-sex marraiges. Our rally cry has been a battle against the sinful, while we walk in our pride and display our piety by erecting elaborate buildings – and huddle in comfort with fellow “believers” often ignoring the opportunity to share the love of Christ.
When Jesus and His disciples walked on the earth, the State was powerful and feared. The corruption of the Roman empire was expected, and the church of the day played along so they could keep their “hold” on their positions.
Jesus came and didn’t really play well with the kids who occupied the power positions. He knew those who were in hybris positions of leadership were temporal, and shared about a Kingdom that was eternal. Those who were hurting and living in fear, found hope and life. He didn’t need to constantly berrate those who occupied the temporal leadership positions, in fact, He said to render unto Ceasar that which belonged to the earthly government.
Many who chose to follow Jesus in that day, were persecuted and imprisoned. They sacrificed their lives sharing about the Kingdom of God, not spending hours forwarding e-mails that spoke against the ceasar. The rally for the early believers was sharing the truth of the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus Christ).
I am excited about this day – as the “preparation call” is more relevant than ever. It’s time for those who await the return of the King to come out and tend the fields. The government is not where I place my trust, and liberal government is certainly not my salvation. My Peace, Hope, and Eternal destiny is secure through the shed blood of the Messiah, Yeshua. He is my Rock, and my Salvation.
by Joseph | Oct 29, 2008 | Preparation, Sharing
I received the following prayer as an e-mail. I receive lot of forwarded e-mails that I rarely take the time to read, because they seem more gossip than substance. This particular e-mail (regardless of whether it is an actual occurrence or not) hit a chord with me.
Prayer given in Kansas at The opening session of their Senate It seems Prayer still upsets some People. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open The new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual genealities, but this is what they heard:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek your direction and Guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those Who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we Have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed Our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it — The lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it — Welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it — Choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it — Justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our Children and called it — Building self esteem..
We have abused power and called it — Politics.
We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions And called it — Ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and Pornography and called it — Freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values Of our forefathers and called it — Enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts Today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free
Amen!
The response was immediate. A number of Legislators walked out during the prayer in Protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls Responding negatively. The church is now receiving International requests for copies of this prayer From India , Africa and Korea
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on His radio program, ‘The Rest of the Story,’ and Received a larger response to this program than any Other he has ever aired.
With the Lord’s help, may this prayer sweep Over our nation and wholeheartedly become our Desire so that we again can be called ‘one nation Under God.’
If possible, please pass this prayer on to Your friends. ‘If you don’t stand for something, You will fall for everything.’
