The following prayer was mentioned to me by a friend the other night after a prayer metting. She seemed to be touched by it and stated that some other people she shared it with were moved as well. So, I thought i would post it with permission and while I believe we should pray from our own hearts, and not from a script, there may be something here for you to benefit from.

WARFARE PRAYER
by Victor Matthews

Heavenly Father, I bow in worship and praise before you. I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as my protection. I surrender myself completely and unreservedly in every area of my life to You. I take a stand against all the workings of Satan that would hinder me in my prayer life. I address myself only to the True and Living God and refuse any involvement of Satan in my prayer.

Satan, I command you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to leave my presence with all your demons!  I bring the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ between us.

Heavenly Father, I worship You and give You praise. I recognize that You are worthy to receive all glory and honor and praise. I renew my allegiance to You and pray that the blessed Holy Spirit would enable me in this time of prayer. I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that You have loved me from past eternity and that You sent the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to die as my substitute. I am thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ came as my representative and that through Him You have completely forgiven me; You have adopted me into your family; You have assumed all responsibility for me; You have given me eternal life; You have given me the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ so I am now justified. I am thankful that in Him, you have made me complete, and that You have offered Yourself to me to be my daily help and strength.

Heavenly Father, open my eyes that I might see how great You are and how complete Your provision is for this day. I am thankful that the victory the Lord Jesus Christ won for me on the Cross and in His resurrection has been given to me and that I am seated with the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenlies. I take my place with Him in the heavenlies and recognize by faith that all wicked spirits and Satan himself are under my feet. I declare, therefore, that Satan and his wicked spirits are subject to me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the Armor You have provided. I put on the Girdle of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sandals of Peace and the Helmet of Salvation. I lift up the Shield of Faith against all the fiery darts of the enemy; and I take in my hand the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. I choose to use Your Word against all the forces of evil in my life. I put on this Armor and live and pray in complete dependence upon You, blessed Holy Spirit.

I am grateful, Heavenly Father, that the Lord Jesus Christ spoiled all principalities and powers and made a show of them openly and triumphed over them in Himself. I claim all that victory for my life today. I reject all the insinuations, and accusations, and the temptations of Satan. I affirm that the Word of God is true and I choose to live today in the light of God's Word. I choose, Heavenly Father, to live in obedience to You and in fellowship with Yourself. Open my eyes and show me the areas of my life that do not please You. Work in me to cleanse me from all ground that would give Satan a foothold against me. I do in every way stand into all that it means to be Your adopted child and I welcome all the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
 
By faith and in dependence upon You, I put off the fleshly works of the old man and stand into all the victory of the crucifixion where the Lord Jesus Christ provided cleansing from the old nature. I put on the new man and stand into all the victory of the resurrection and the provision He has made for me to live above sin.

Therefore, today I put off all forms of selfishness and put on the new nature with its love. I put off all forms of fear and put on the new nature with its courage. I put off all forms of weakness and put on the new nature with its strength. I put off all forms of lust and put on the new nature with its righteousness, purity, and honesty. I am trusting You to show me how to make this practical in my daily life.

In every way I stand into the victory of the ascension and glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby all the principalities and powers were made subject to Him. I claim my place in Christ as victorious with Him over all the enemies of my soul. Blessed Holy Spirit, I pray that You would fill me. Come into my life, break down every idol and cast out every foe.

I am thankful, Heavenly Father, for the expression of Your will for my daily life as You have shown me in Your Word.

I, therefore, claim all the will of God for today. I am thankful that You have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I am thankful that You have begotten me unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I am thankful that You have made a provision so that today I can live filled with the Spirit of God with love and joy and peace, with long-suffering, gentleness and goodness, with meekness, faithfulness and self-control in my life. I recognize that this is Your will for me and I therefore reject and resist all the endeavors of Satan and his wicked spirits to rob me of the will of god. I refuse in this day to believe my feelings and I hold up the Shield of Faith against all the accusations and distortion and insinuations that Satan would put into my mind. I claim the fullness of the will of God for my life today.

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I completely surrender myself to You, Heavenly Father, as a living sacrifice. I choose not to be conformed to this world. I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and I pray that You would show me Your will and enable me to walk in all the fullness of Your will today.

I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, to the casting down of imagination and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge God, and to bring every thought into obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, in my own life today I tear down the strongholds of Satan and smash the plans of Satan that have been formed against me. I tear down the strongholds of Satan against my mind, and I surrender my mind to You, blessed Holy Spirit. I affirm, Heavenly Father, that You have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. I break and smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my emotions today and I give my emotions to you. I smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my will today, I give my will to You and choose to make the right decisions of faith. I smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my body today, I give my body to You recognizing that I am your temple. I rejoice in Your mercy and goodness.

Heavenly Father, I pray that now and through this day You would strengthen and enlighten me. Show me the way Satan is hindering and tempting and lying and distorting the truth in my life. Enable me to be the kind of person that would please You. Enable me to be aggressive in prayer and faith. Enable me to be aggressive mentally, to think about and practice Your Word, and to give You Your rightful place in my life.

Again, I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray that You, blessed Holy Spirit, would bring all the work of the crucifixion, all the work of the resurrection, all the work of the glorification, and all the work of Pentecost into my life today. I surrender myself to You. I refuse to be discouraged. You are the God of all hope. You have proven Your power by resurrecting Jesus Christ from the dead, and I claim in every way this victory over all the satanic forces in my life. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving. Amen.
 
Used with the permission of Victor Matthews

The Lost Art of Altar Calls

            Today I want to talk about something that has been missing from churches not all churches, but many churches today and that is the lost art of altar calls. I think that many times pastors and clergy tend to negate the power and the importance of having an altar call during their church worship services. One reason for this is that many have fallen into the erroneous belief that they do not want to single people out embarrass them or cause them to feel as if they're being put on the spot. This cannot be further from the truth. If we were to use biblical times, as the example of how to hold church we would see that Jesus did not seem to be too worried ever about whether or not he put someone on the spot or embarrassment. Likewise, many if not all of the occurrences where Jesus was approached in the New Testament. Those who were unashamed to meet with Jesus, confess their sins and express their needs were those who were most likely to walk away changed by the power of God.

            Jesus shares with us that those who are ashamed of him and deny him before their fellow man will also be denied before the father who is in heaven. As well Jesus said those who are not ashamed of him and confess Him before fellow man. Their Heavenly Father will accept them in heaven.

            Today it seems as though many church services are lacking what I believe to be the most important element the church service can contain. Yes, I agree that there are other reasons for coming to church and joining with the congregation then just meeting with God. However, meeting with God is the most important aspect of any church gathering our fellowship of believers. I believe that more sermons would come to life and that God could resurrect the power of his Spirit through the anointed preaching of the gospel if preachers were preparing their messages prayerfully considering what God wants to do in the heart of the congregation and how to connect the congregation with the heart of God!

            I believe that more participants in church services and church members would leave blessed and encouraged by the Holy Spirit even closer to God than how the come into the church service if they were led to a meaningful connection with God and with other congregants by the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says in Romans 12:1 –2 that we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Also in Hebrews 4:12 the Scripture says that the word of God is living, powerful and sharper than any two edged sword… It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

            Throughout the Old Testament Scripture says in many places that man-made alters to signify points or places in which they met with God. The original intention for having alters put into our church buildings upon their construction was with the intention that man would meet with God. We desperately need to meet with God! The difference between church and any other form of clubhouse activity is that we meet with God, and that God has direct access to our hearts as his people!

            Is there really any shame in responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit as he deals with our hearts in a church service? Are we really more concerned with what other people in church will think of us if we answer an altar call and go forward in front of our brothers and sisters in Christ and pour our hearts out to God and allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape us into the person that he created us to be?

            In the book of Jeremiah 18 we see that the Lord wants to mold and shape us as Clay in his hands even like the Potter mold it, the vessel that he was so carefully crafted. Amazingly, the Scripture says that God spoke to Jeremiah, and said to him, go to the Potter's House and there I will cause you to hear my words. This tells me that God has chosen the hearing of his word. To be one of the instruments that God uses to change us and to transform us into the people he has called us to be! We can no longer afford, as the people of God to discount the truth concerning God, wanting to change us into the people he created us to be. The relationship God intended for us to have with him is far greater and bestows far more meaning and purpose than any other relationship that this world could provide. Therefore, we must go back to our grassroots and realize that we are created for divine purpose and for special relationship with God our father and Creator. It's time for us as the church to realize that nothing else in this world is more important than becoming who God would want us to be.

            By implementing altar calls back into our church services. Two things will happen one is that the pastor's sermons will become more directed and God focused. Two, the church members will begin to come with more expectancy and fervor to receive from God, and to allow him to speak to their hearts. But there's one other thing that will happen as we begin to learn how to preach the gospel and respond to the preaching of the gospel in such a manner that God can work in and through our hearts and change us into the people he's called us to be. That third thing, being sinners will begin to get saved as God knows that he can lead sinners by the Holy Spirit to a church that will invite them to a born-again experience and a newfound salvation through a relationship with Jesus Christ and forgiveness of sins, God will draw sinners by the Holy Spirit to our churches and begin to do the work that God came to do to begin with and that work is to save sinners to change lives to heal hearts to raise up disciples to send forth preachers and to change this world back what God created us to be all originally.

“The War for Ephesus”
            The books of 1&2 Timothy offer a young leader more than just instruction on the affairs of running a ministry. The pages of these two books contain the out pouring of a general’s heart toward not just some guy who would step into his place but an upcoming warrior and leader in the spiritual battle that waged in what was becoming a central church in God’s Kingdom at that time. The apostle Paul was urgently charging this young man Timothy to not only know and remember sound doctrine but to live it with emotion, passion, discipline Godly power. Why? Why Ephesus? And why did Paul choose Timothy? Did Paul know that this was to become one of the seven churches mentioned as an example for the world in John’s book of Revelation?

            The book of Acts 18:18 through chapter 20 describe the victories and challenges Paul faced in Ephesus. From the twelve disciples of John the Baptist who first converted and were filled with the Holy Spirit to the book burning party where thousands of books on idolatry and sorcery were burned in public, Paul experienced first hand the power of God’s saving hand. It was at Ephesus he saw some of his most powerfully anointed ministry. He cast out demons there many were healed just from receiving aprons or handkerchiefs that had touched Paul’s body. It was here that the sons of Sceva tried to imitate Paul’s anointing and cast out a demon which overpowered them and sent them running bruised and naked.

            Ephesus was also where Paul was opposed and those who were there hardened themselves against him and spoke evil of his ministry opposing him the entire time. This is where they shouted “Great is the goddess Diana of the Ephesians” as they rioted and plotted against him. His ministry was so profound at Ephesus that the tradesmen who made idols and false were concerned for their prosperity. And here we see Timothy being discipled by Paul and groomed for his upcoming ministry. Before I bring us back to the books of Timothy I want you to note that in the end of Acts 20 Paul mention that the overseers of this city should “take heed” because savage wolves would come and not spare this flock. Then at Paul’s departure there were many tears shed and much embracing as the love between this apostle and the church he had just fought would separate.

            Timothy himself was mentioned by Paul in his epistles to the Romans and Corinth. But in 1 Cor. 4:17 Paul refers to Timothy as his “beloved son” I mentioned Paul’s investment into the church at Ephesus and now I mention his love for Timothy because I believe it is paramount to fully understanding this two letters that we know how much Paul had invested into both the church and the man who was now to oversee it. Yes, Paul did say that he loved many people in his letters. Timothy however was like a son to Paul perhaps there was a bond formed between them around both being half breeds. (Timothy a Jewish/Greek and Paul Jewish/Roman) The important thing is that we understand how Paul was emotionally invested into the man Timothy and the church at Ephesus.

            The letters to Timothy were full of content. They addressed issues including knowing and staying true to sound doctrine, staying focused, how to choose men that God could build His church on, walking in the fruits of the spirit, staying faithful, keeping pure and so on. I want to focus on the “how” and “why” rather than the “what” of these epistles. The how Paul addressed Timothy was as a fatherly and militant disciple maker. The why because Paul seemed to be divinely in tune to the spiritual warfare aspect of what was happening in Ephesus.

            In Ephesians 6 we know the famous analogy of God’s armor. Paul writes the church and tells them “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, spiritual wickedness in high places.” In 1 Co. 15:32 Paul says he fought with beasts at Ephesus. Now in Timothy 1&2 he writes this young leader and addresses him as a soldier! Using statements like; “This charge I commit you young Timothy….that by them you wage a good warfare.” Let’s look at a few of the things Paul urged Timothy toward practicing that we can take seriously today as well:

…       1 Tim 1:3 – Charge others that they teach no other doctrine

…       1 Tim 1:18 - This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.

…       1 Tim 2:1 - Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.

…       1 Tim 3: 14-15 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

…       Endure sound doctrine

…       Preach the word, be instant in and out of season

…       Don’t neglect the gift inside you.

…       Study to show yourself approved.

…       Let no man despise your youth.

…       Reject unsound doctrines

…       Be an example to the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity.

…       Hold fast the pattern of sound words…

…       Endure hardship as a good soldier

Then Paul tells Timothy that he himself has fought a good fight and finished his course. That he has kept the faith and is looking forward to his crown! Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world …and watch out for Alexander the coppersmith as he did me much harm. In this warning I get the picture of Paul trying in the depth of his heart to warn and equip young Timothy with everything he can think of.

            Did the master discipler succeed in his writings to Timothy in equipping him to see the battle for God’s Kingdom won in Ephesus? I think so. Did Timothy hold true to the doctrine that Paul so desperately tried to impart? We see some of that answer in Rev.2. I hope and pray that the essence of Paul’s shows through today that we are in a real battle for the souls of men and the enemy wants nothing more than seduce us away from the basics of sound doctrine, and the power the Holy Spirit, to hold true to the call of the great commission, making disciples with a heart to impart love, faith, endurance and Godly wisdom to the next generations.

The Compound Names Of Jehovah    As I endeavor to know God more intimately, I find that God wants to be known. God revealed Himself several times in different ways throughout the Old Testament. Then in the New Testament through Jesus God reveals Himself continually. The Old Testament names of God reveal His character attributes in three ways. One was He revealed Himself through actions which caused men to express God’s nature through the name, two was through prophetic revelation, and third was through speaking. To say this differently, His names were revealed either by Him saying I am the LORD who…, or by intervening in a life somehow and a man said He is the LORD who…or one of the prophets proclaims that something will transpire and you will see that He is the LORD who…!

          The primary focus of this article will be those names from the Old Testament which were directly spoken from God as Him saying I am the LORD who __. For example I am who I am, I am the LORD who heals you, I am the LORD who makes all things and I am the LORD who sanctifies you. These names in particular seem most powerful to me because they are spoken directly from the mouth of Jehovah God Himself! When I read these names from the Bible it feels to me as if the Almighty creator is reaching forth His hand and saying “Please allow me to introduce Myself. I am Jehovah – Rophi and today I have come to heal you!”  “Yes, I know that I have an entire universe to run but today I am here to touch you personally.” Before I get into discussing some of the “I am” names, I feel that the other two categories are more than worthy of some attention.

          Notice in the following list that the compound name for God was directed from man God-ward. This does not in any way negate or diminish the value of the name:

      Genesis 22:14 – And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; (Jehovah – Jireh) as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

        Exodus 17:15 - And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner. (Jehovah – Nissi)

       Judges 6:24 - So Gideon built an altar there to  the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace.(Jehovah – Shalom)

          While the above names are actually altars named with a Godly attribute they still are names of God as He revealed Himself to men through an action. The following are names given by men to God that were received through prophecy:

       Psalms 23: 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Jehovah – Rohi)

       Jeremiah 23:6 In His days Judah will be saved,
      And Israel will dwell safely;
      Now this is His name by which He will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Jehovah – Tsidkenu)

      Ezekiel 48:35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.(Jehovah – Shammah)

          There is still some distinction between the above listed names for God and the Names by which God said I am the LORD who. The above names are revelatory in the sense that they are outward leadings or dealings. The following names I will not only list but describe in more detail. For the LORD Himself said “I Am” these names. This implies to me that these names are much more than what He does but they describe who He is. These following names are dearest to me because they show me God’s desire to work in the deepest parts of me. They show that God has a plan for each individual and that He intends to always be bringing closer to the perfected creation for which God Himself made you and I.

          When Moses was speaking with God through the burning bush experience in Gen. 3:14 the NKJV reads; And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

          “I AM WHO I AM” This is, at least to me, the most powerful yet most humble of introductions God could have given. Powerful in the context that God does not need to be puffed up. He is the creator of all things and no title could adequately describe Him. In light of Psalm 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" we see the power of this name in God’s eternal sense. I AM from as far in past eternal to future eternity “I AM GOD!” Yet the name is humble as well. Humble in its simplicity! How many words could God have given for His name that could attempt to describe His splendor, magnificence and glory? Yet, God is saying “I don’t need any fancy titles for you to know that “IAM WHO I AM” so go tell Pharaoh that I AM has sent you.

          In Exodus 15: 26 we see God introducing Himself to Moses and the nation of Israel by saying “I am the LORD who heals you.” (Jehovah – Rophi) This reference has been paramount to experiencing healings in the ministries of which I have participated. While the significance of the eternal I AM could be questioned due to the use of lower case letters in the word ‘am’, I believe the eternal connotation is still there due to the focus on the word ‘LORD’ in the same phrase. The power of this verse is found when Jehovah – Rophi is connected to the covenant God makes prior to His introduction.

          “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD who heals you.” Ex. 15:26

          Some contend that the Old Testament does not apply to the New. I however, believe that the scripture is showing us principal that does not go away. Disobedience and failure to honor God remove us from God’s covering and protection from assaults on our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Confession and repentance can and have in many cases, brought people into direct access of Jehovah – Rophi’s power to heal! Sickness is a result of sin. Prior to the fall of man in the garden there was no sickness. We can get sick without sinning because the viral nature of sickness and the multiplication of generational curses that have become untraceable.

          I do not want to write a book on the topic of sin and healing. So, for now, remember that the curse of sin is broken at the cross where Jesus redeemed us from, and made provision for our sins. This thought brings us to another place in scripture where God reveals His character through an introduction. Lets read Isaiah 44:24 and allow God’s word to speak to our hearts:

          Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb:

“I am the LORD, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself…” Isa. 44:24

          In this verse we actually find two compound names of Jehovah. First, we find Jehovah – Goaleka or Gawal, the LORD your redeemer. Second, we see the Lord our redeemer announce Himself saying; “I am the LORD who makes all things” (Jehovah – Oseh) (pronounced; aw-saw). Most people know the word redeem means to buy back, or to pay off the debt that held someone or something bound to another. For example, one can redeem an item from a pawn shop, or a slave from servitude. Yet, the word from Hebrew for maker is ‘oseh’ and it means accomplish.

          Think with me to the times when Jesus called certain of His disciples. He said; “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” How wonderful our salvation is, to think that God Himself has redeemed us from the depths of sin and has a plan to accomplish for each and every individual person! Consider the following scriptures:

             Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

          Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

          The scripture in Isaiah tells us that we have been redeemed by God who accomplishes what He sets out to do. He has a divine purpose for you and I and He says to us that we have the highest purpose, calling and privilege there could possibly be. It is the gifting and the power to accomplish His will.

           

          

          

         

John the Baptist The Forerunner for Christ
            Multitudes came from Jerusalem, Judea and all the region around Jordan went out to him to hear him preach and be baptized. Who was this man John, whose surname we only know as, “The Baptist”? What was so special about his life that Jesus proclaimed him to be the greatest man born of a woman? Some confused him for being the Messiah some confused the Messiah for being John. Yet many others could not discern one from the other despite the claims they made and extraordinary lives they each lived.

            Dressed in camel’s hair and leather and eating a diet of wild honey and locusts, could John really have been the returning Elijah foretold by the prophets Malachi and Isaiah? What was he sent for? What was John’s message? How did John go about fulfilling his destiny? What can we learn from John’s life that will help us follow the Lord more successfully?  How did John die? Did he leave any followers and if so what does that signify? Read on as we endeavor to answer these questions about the life of John the Baptist.

             The circumstances surrounding John’s birth marked his entrance into this world as divinely irregular to say the least. For example, the angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias, John’s father to be, and declares that he will have a son and to name him John (Luke 1). This occurrence bears many likenesses to the man from God appearing to Abraham and announcing that he and Sarah would bear Isaac. I can briefly mention the facts that Elizabeth, John’s mother, was barren and that both parents were well-aged. The angel told Zacharias what to name the child. When Zacharias argued why logically this cannot happen, Gabriel sealed his voice from being able to speak until he was asked to name his son. When he wrote “His name is John” on the tablet, his mouth was opened, his tongue loosed and he prophesied as to what kind of child this would be.

            Gabriel told Zacharias that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. This was evidenced when John leaped in the womb when Mary came to visit Elizabeth while pregnant with Jesus. It was for the very purpose of announcing the Messiah, that John was created he was the forerunner. Luke 1:76 as part of Zacharias’ prophesy; “You child… …will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways” This is noteworthy that John was chosen, created, ordained and empowered for his ministry while still in mom’s womb. There was no way he could have earned by “works” the powerful ministry which he held!

            John did, however, separate himself for the destiny which God had chosen for him. Scripture says that John did not drink wine or strong drink; he was raised in the wilderness where he grew in spiritual strength. Couple these aspects of his life with the strange clothing of camel’s hair and leather, and his weird diet of wild honey and locusts, and one could assume that he was keeping some kind of vow similar to the Nazarite vow of Samson.  

            John’s message was quite straightforward. “Repent and prepare your hearts for the coming Messiah.” John also confirmed when Jesus showed up, that this is Him. This man is the Messiah, Christ has come, follow him. Today, I would guess, that most of the “Christian” sect, at least in western society, would call him crazy and never listen to him again. But, there is a part of me that wonders what impact could have been made by the church over the years, if we all strived to walk the same walk of holiness and power that John did? Multitudes followed John! They came out from the cities and listened to him then obeyed by repenting and being baptized. Yes, some despised him for his message and possibly his delivery. This resulted in the spiritual warfare that eventually led to his death.

            If you tell the king, like John did, to repent and turn from your immorality and adultery, you may expect to be imprisoned as John was. John knew who it was that he served. He knew he served the King who sits on the throne of all creation. Yet something happened while John was in prison. His humanity began to surface as he faced the kind of mental doubts that one might experience when going through such an ordeal as imprisonment and the possibility of death. So we read in Mt. 11, that John sent his disciples to see if Jesus really is the Messiah to come.

            Jesus describes his own ministry to John’s disciples and sends them back to tell John that the blind see, lame walk, the deaf hear and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Then Jesus himself confronts the crowd and defends the validity of John’s ministry! What a powerful endorsement of John made by the Lord in Mt.11:7-15, “John is more than a prophet… of those born of woman there has not risen one greater than John…if you are willing he is Elijah who is to come!” In vs.12 he refers to John to teach us all something about the nature of our calling and the warfare that comes with it. “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force!”

            John was executed soon after Jesus made these powerful statements concerning him. John’s head was served to Herod’s wife on a platter. But he was not soon forgotten. His disciples were found several years later at Ephesus by Paul and converted to Christ. John’s life was one of confrontation as he paved the way for our savior. John’s was a life we can use as an example of spiritual warfare as we remember the words of Jesus himself “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” We can learn that confrontational Christianity is not only allowed by our Lord it at times is required and applauded by Him. However, John also submitted to law and authority when it was required of him. The important thing about him is that he was Spirit led to do what God called him to do, and he did it regardless of the cost to his image or his life. 

           

What God is Doing in Our Church

                One way to share the good news of Jesus Christ is through our testimonies of answered prayer. At our church, we have a dedicated core of prayer warriors, joined with drop-ins, which meet every week at the same time to pray for our church and community. We started in June, 2011 with the idea of achieving victory in our lives and our church, overflowing into the entire community. We also had the goal of helping individuals learn how to pray, and to experience the power of corporate prayer.

            This leads to bringing greater unity to the church and guides us as a church to become more in tune to what God wants for us. Since we’ve been meeting, we have had reports of multiple people that have been healed, everything from shoulders, backs, prostates and ankles to having cancer fears removed. We even had a baby that underwent a major surgery for a life-threatening disease and saw God bring him and his parents through! Other reports have been of salvations, financial relief, jobs and vehicles provided, and restored relationships.

            We continue to pray, in gratitude to God for all of His blessings, for direction from God, and for His help in this life for things that can only be done by Him or with His help. God is faithful to His word and wants us to involve Him in our lives to the fullest.

Post Modern Challenges of the Church
            The church is presented with several challenges in a western society, post modern culture. Traditional “religion” is at risk of disappearing as new growth, when it comes, is usually derived from church shifting rather than growth from souls being born into God’s kingdom. This is not to say that there is no new converts in this era just that the death rate is out pacing the conversion rate. Some of the church has developed what I see as a worldly approach for acquiring growth. For example, a worldly business model derives growth from tapping into a market and then attempting to provide better services or products in some way. The concept of providing “one stop” shopping has out done the smaller mom & pop business once found on the corners of most neighborhoods. Now we go to the supermalls, warehouse stores and membership clubs, because we find everything we want plus can see a movie and get lunch while there.

            For the most part, but not in its entirety, the church has either tried to follow suit or stayed in the traditional mold in which it once flourished. The traditional institution of the church is approaching a point where if they do not tap into new growth they will die off. Meanwhile the modern, post modern church is at risk of becoming so worldly there will soon be no difference between them and the local shopping mall.

            As this is happening in the Christian realm, other prominent religions are creeping in and setting up shop. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Eastern philosophies are gladly sweeping up the mess and gleaning the souls that have fallen by the wayside or never been reached with the truth of our risen savior. My stomach turns and heart grows heavy as write these words. No idols, teachers or philosophies will ever bring the healing, deliverance and salvation that Christ purchased for us with His precious blood. Only Christ has risen from the dead and only Christ can give eternal life. I believe these other forms of religion do offer temporal ways of dealing with or managing human problems and woes but through Christ we can conquer and rise above.

            As we read the four gospels, we see that Christ gave His church an example for how to reach the world that we can still follow today. As God I don’ believe He needed to do these things. As a man He set an example for us, an example of what will work! The examples Christ set for us include at least the following areas:

·        Fasting and Prayer
·        Ministry to God’s word
·        Ministry to Human Need
·        Forgiveness and Impartation of Human Dignity
·        Impartation of Vision/Purpose
·        Spiritual Empowerment

            Christ started His ministry with spiritual empowerment first when the spirit descended on Him immediately after His baptism. Then He went into a time fasting and prayer where overcame Satan and temptation by quoting scripture. Christ showed that He was devoted to the scripture even as a boy when He disappeared from His parents and was found in the temple, to the temptation in the wilderness and throughout His ministry he quoted scripture on numerous occasions. He showed the importance for prayer by example as He went off to pray on several accounts.  Mary, Zaccheus, the woman at the well, and countless other examples showed His ministry of forgiving sins and bestowing dignity back into the lives of those who were wounded or even destroyed by the bite of sin. He met them personally and powerfully touched their lives with healing and hope then He called them, built a relationship with them, empowered them and commissioned them to reach the world. This is our challenge as the church in a post modern world! This is an example of the kind of leaders we need today!

            Scripture says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever (He 13:8). The church is presented continuously with the challenge of sticking to the model that Christ gave to for us yet presenting salvation to our society in a relevant, personal and practical manner. In other words people need to know that apart from religion, buildings, what is presented of Christianity on T.V. or other forms of media there is a God who is alive, loves them, cares about their condition and the condition of this world and that this God is not only able but willing to have a personal relationship with them.

            Scripture also warns in Romans 12 not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may be able to prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God. We as the church are therefore challenged to be what God has called us to be! If we can do that He will build His church and the Gates of hell will not prevail against it.

            My personal challenge then is to stay focused on His will for me. I need His power, His love, His anointing and His word to live me each day. Therefore I must continue to strive for daily time in His presence; I must continue to strive for His spirit to give me practical and relevant not just theological understanding of God’s living word. 

           

The Body of Christ

            What is the most significant of spiritual gifts? How about the least? Quite possibly, those who appeared to function in the more obvious and flamboyant of gifts were viewed as being more spiritually blessed while those who operated in the less seemly of gifts went unnoticed. Would this picture be that much different than the church today? Yet, we cannot all be Pastors, Evangelists, Apostles or Prophets. So, what did Paul mean in 1 Co. 12:31 where he states that we should desire the best gifts and that he has a more excellent way to show?

            What are the “best” gifts? What makes one gift better than another? Paul states that all the gifts come from the same spirit, and that the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as He wills. (1 Co. 12:11)  He states that we all share in the same faith, and that we all serve the same Jesus. So then wouldn’t the person who operates in the gift of service be just as important as the person who claims that they have a word from God for His church? How well will a visitor receive the Pastor’s eloquent sermon if they weren’t greeted well by the person who functions in the gift of hospitality or, if they were offended by a rancid smelling restroom? Does anyone ever notice the person who is gifted in intercession, even though they may have literally prayed fruitfulness upon the evangelist’s efforts to organize an outreach? No one in the church may ever see the impact of the gift of mercy when a believer goes to the retirement home and visits the forgotten souls but are they not heroes in the sight of our Lord?

            In vs.7 Paul states that the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. Could this mean that when the moving of spiritual gifts is present in the church it is never just about the person through whom the gift is flowing? When a person is healed I would say that the healing is always what is important not the person whom God uses to pray for the healing. When a prophesy is given it is all about God speaking to His church with direction and hope for what and how God wants to move His people closer to Himself. So then prophecy is about the church not the prophet, just as healing is about the healed.

            With this in mind, what then is the purpose for seeking the best gifts as Paul says in vs. 31? In Romans 12 Paul discusses the gifts in relation to the body of Christ as well. As we compare lists we can see that the order he gives in 1 Co. 12 is not necessarily a hierarchy of importance, because he does not even list the same gifts for the Romans as he does for the Corinthians. The crossover is limited to prophecy and teaching. However he does follow up on his writing about the gifts in the Body of Christ with a clear exhortation towards love in both epistles! If we consider the gifts as listed in Ephesians 4 as well then we see that while the gifts listed are not identical in any of the three epistles the following attributes are almost unanimously accompanied.

            The gifts as mentioned in Eph.4, Ro 12 and 1Co. 12-14 all are stated by Paul as being appointed by God, Christ or the Holy Spirit. All 3 epistles refer to unity, the body of Christ and the importance of love while Paul discusses the gifts.   Edification is mentioned in Ephesians and 1Corinthians as a motivator for the gifts. Grace is mentioned in Ephesians and Romans as an enabling force in the administration of the gifts. This brings me to the more excellent way that Paul mentions at the end of 1Co.12 in prelude to chapter 13.

            The best gifts are not necessarily defined by title but by function. Do they function to bring strength, unity, love or hope to the body of Christ? Are the motivated by God’s Holy Spirit in order to in some way unify His church for the vision of God’s commission or purpose? Do they feed, encourage or strengthen the church as a whole? Is the functioning of the gift relevant to the immediate need of the church or the individual the gift is being ministered to? If so then they likely are the best gifts. 

           

First Fruits 
            The first fruits are offered to God as acknowledgment of His blessing. They are different than the tithe in the sense that the word tithe represents a percentage value, while first fruits were offered in honor of God’s provision and bounty. In other words the tithe is ten percent of one’s increase and is measured numerically while first fruit originates from the very beginning of harvest or the male that opened the womb (firstborn). In order to be first fruit it would be offered before a person is even able to calculate their harvest and measure a tenth. This understanding of first fruit would signify to me that it is an offering of thanks to God our provider for His bounty or blessing. Note that would automatically infer an element of not only faithfulness but of faith toward God that He is worthy of honor regardless of what the rest of harvest season has in store.

            First fruits therefore, would not only include money but a person could offer the first fruit of their time or any resource. For example the following text shows that Hannah who was barren until this point was desperate for a child so we see her in the temple praying to God and she makes a powerful promise to God if He would just provide her with a child:

            1Sam 1:8-11 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 9 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

1 Sam 1: 24-28 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

            Notice that Hannah brought everything she would need in order to follow through with the customary redeeming of a firstborn male by the requirements of the law. Yet she also still honored her vow and “lent “ the boy Samuel to the Lord. We see no recording of her complaining or of her asking for more children but lets look at the incredible thing that happens when she comes one year to offer unto the Lord and bring clothing for young Samuel.

1 Sam 2:18-21; But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the LORD.” Then they would go to their own home.
21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

            What a powerful story of a woman offering of her first fruit and seeing the blessing of God unfold in her life! She did not release Samuel with the idea of getting the Lord to bless her with more children. She did it out of gratitude and honor. Without these two qualities as motivators for giving to God we miss the real idea of why we give the best to our provider.

            I believe in honoring God not just in my life but with my life. While I would be the first to acknowledge my humanity I also believe that my lifestyle honors God in more ways than just money. Yes I said “just” money! The Book of Romans Ch. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. This is my first fruit goal that my entire life becomes a living sacrifice to my Lord and savior! The best time spent is the time I use to read of His word and to pray in His presence. God not only gets the first of our paychecks He gets the first of my love, my praise, and most of all my gratitude because even when I have failed Him painfully God has always been faithful to me!

There are four things we can consider about justification from Romans 3:24.

1-     Justification comes freely. We cannot pay for our own sins. Even the priests of the Old Testament had to sacrifice a lamb for their own sin before making atonement for Israel. This is one of the great and wonderful things about true Christianity that our God came in the flesh and freely gave His life for our sins. The myth that we must somehow pay and be punished for our sins is trumped her. Christ paid the full price for our redemption on the cross and freely gives us our justification.

In Matthew 10:7-9
 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

2- By his grace – We are saved by His grace through faith in Christ, not by works lest any man should boast. Again grace is a gift God gives it freely to those who repent and turn to Him. I would even say that His grace allows us the ability to repent. Paul said I am what I am by the grace of God.

3- By the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

 We were owned by our sin, slaves to it! Yet, Christ purchased us back unto God through His sin free life and the blood He shed on the cross! He paid the ultimate price for each and every one of us. OH, what a loving God to sacrifice His one and only son in such a way to buy us back from our sinful ways and give us life! The deed of ownership is signed in Christ’s blood and stamped; Paid in Full!

4- By faith, v28 Yes! We are saved by faith, apart from the works of the law. By faith alone can we respond to:

Romans 10:8-10

But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

2 Timothy 3:15

 ... that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:1

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.