Real Identity

John 3:16 Airs During NFL Playoff Game

2012-01-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

Hezekiah Walker "Faithful is Our God" Awesome Praise Break

2011-12-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

MORE THAN ENOUGH ( the brooklyn tabernacle choir )

2011-11-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

"I Am Not Ashamed" By Janet Paschal

2011-10-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

MORE THAN ENOUGH ( the brooklyn tabernacle choir )

2011-09-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

That's My King Dr. S.M. Lockridge - [OFFICIAL]

2011-08-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

A Call to Anguish by David Wilkerson - Part 1

2011-08-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

A Call to Anguish by David Wilkerson - Part 2

2011-08-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "My Help" Psalms 121

2011-07-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

NO TIME! by K. J. Koshy

2011-05-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into His book and said
"Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time."

"One Solitary Life" by Dr James Allen Francis

2011-04-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty

He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth

When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life.

“Only One Life, 'Twill Soon Be Past"

2011-03-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

By C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say, “Twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Its not in vain

2011-03-12T08:13:00.000-08:00

LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS.mp4

2011-03-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

"IDENTIFYING GOD" BOOK REVIEW:

2011-03-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

by Tienne Weyer

Ok, so I have to start out by saying ... "I HATE and absolutely DESPISE religious books!" I think they are overly opinionated and rather obtuse in nature. For the most part, I don't feel that of the religious books I have read, that they depict the true forgiving and loving nature of God. That said, I love this book!

"Identifying God" by Dr Edward C. Han Sr. starts out by explaining in lay terminology (common language) the different levels of knowledge. This is, in my opinion, the perfect way to explain how we gain both a better understanding of God as we progress in our spiritual relationship with him, but also how we can gain a better understanding of God's words and how/why the meaning of the words can change or evolve as we spiritually evolve in our relationship with God.

Believe me, I tried to find a place where I could say, "This guy is full of garbage" and thus easily throw out the text and move on ... I couldn't. This is the first religious text I have read that opens the door for spiritual explanation and leaves it at that, so that you as an individual can have a better way of evaluating the word of God and applying it or investigating it yourself as needed. It is completely non-judgmental. There are no "right" or "wrong" answers/opinions/ideas in this book. It is taking the complex nature of our spiritual selves and drastically simplifying it.

Although it is written from a Christian perspective, I can see how this book could help even an agnostic person on their spiritual journey. This book in and of itself is a spiritual journey. I really and truly loved the whole premise of "Jdentifying God" and I would recommend it to anyone seeking to understand God, themselves, or bring some simplicity to their current relationship with God that they may find to be confusing.

(To order the book "Identifying God" go to http://bit.ly/bookidgod )

The Laws of Respect, Intuition, and Magnetism

2011-02-15T05:11:00.000-08:00

The Laws of Navigation, Addition, and Solid Ground

2011-02-14T20:12:00.000-08:00

The Laws of the Lid, Influence, and Process

2011-02-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

Definition of Success

2011-02-04T21:52:00.000-08:00

I will consider myself a success when I am …
■ walking close to Jesus every day.
■ building a strong marriage.
■ loving my kids.
■ performing meaningful work.
■ making others "homesick" for Jesus.
(On FOTF program "Fatherhood Fears & Fun," author and speaker Phil Callaway offers his "Definition of Success" and defines his "life purpose")

The Parable of the Shed

2011-01-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

There was once a man who built a shed. He purchased blueprints, materials and with hand tools he crafted it for his own unique purposes. From the foundation, to the walls and roof, every detail was thoroughly thought out, even to the doors, windows and shelves. When the project was complete he invited a friend over to show him what he had done. The friend was so impressed that he desired to build one of his own. The man offered to build it for him as a friendly gesture, but needed to know what exactly his needs were.

“No need for that,” the friend quickly interrupted, “I really need to get started.”

“At least let me help you,” the man said. “We can work side by side as partners to get this done for you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” the friend abruptly explained. “I get what you are doing here. I have my own tools. Just let me get some measurements off of your shed, and I’ll build what I need.”

The man finally offered, “May I at least loan you the blueprints to guide you?”

“Keep your blueprints. I’m on my way. I’ll let you know how it goes.” The friend said this and left.

A great deal of time later, the friend invited the man to the inaugural celebration of the completion of the tenth shed. The friend said, “It is unbelievable what you have inspired! These sheds seem to be popping up everywhere since my first facsimile. I haven’t seen this one yet, but I’m sure you won’t believe what we have been able to accomplish.”

The friend was right, for when the man saw the tenth facsimile of the original, it not only had no resemblance to the inspiration, but the entire construction was perfectly useless. The edifice was a monstrous monstrosity. The foundation was unstable; the windows were gone; the doorway was too narrow to enter in; the roofline was so low a person could not comfortably work in it and finally entire facsimile was built as some sort of embellished ornate thing that it had lost all of its functionality and practicality.

The man questioned, “How did this happen?”

“I don’t know, but isn’t it a wonder,” the friend exclaimed! “It really doesn’t matter. This shed alone is worth ten times ten of what your old pathetic little utility shed is worth.”

“Well, at least my shed still serves me well,” the man said, as he walked away in disappointment.

(Excerpt from my new book, "Identifying the Believer", Chapter 9, "We are the Church")

Interview with Rev Billy Graham on Fox News Part 1

2011-01-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

Interview with Rev Billy Graham on Fox News Part 2

2011-01-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

2010-12-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

God's Lighthouses

2010-12-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

Set a hundred-fifty feet apart in a straight line, there were three fifteen-foot-tall stone lighthouses at Nauset Beach on the north Atlantic coast, which became known as “The Three Sisters of Nauset.” Many shipwrecks occurred at this location, so the three towers were built to warn sailors of the hazard. In the storm it was difficult to see any single lighthouse. The three lighthouses set in a row gave opportunity to see one if not the others. In the same way God has gives us lighthouses to understand his will. When these three luminaries are aligned they appear to us as one distinct light for safe direction to navigate God's will for our lives.

Holy Spirit – When king Belteshazzar sought understanding of his dream, for he perceived it to be a message from God, he inquired of Daniel the prophet, for he recognized, “... that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you” (Daniel 5:14 NKJV). The Holy Spirit himself can bring messages to us by dreams, visions, prophetic words, divine leading and any other way He chooses to, for He is God. All of the Spirit’s communication with us gives us divine direction in accordance with the perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). As believers we have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to give us the light of God’s will in a matter.

How does the Holy Spirit communicate with us personally? In the Spirit filled believer, the Holy Spirit has the ability to lead, guide and speak to us through our spirit's conscience, devotion and intuition. We are most familiar with His “still small” inner voice (I Kings 19:12). If you could describe it, it would sound like your spirit having an internal conversation with your soul. You are not talking to yourself. This is intercourse with the Holy Spirit. When we walk in obedience to this direction we are aligning ourselves with the will of God for our lives. If the Holy Spirit's voice was all we had and was properly discerned, it would be enough. But He gives us more light for our journey.

Word of God – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The revealed Word of God is found in the Holy Bible. With the Holy Spirit ministering through God’s Word to us and through us to others, we are able to obtain terrific insight. What oil is to a lamp, or a battery is to a flashlight, so the Holy Spirit is to the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the power source of the Scriptures. In the darkness of ignorance that we all have concerning God’s will, the believer can find God’s Word to be a lamp near his feet illuminating his next step, and a light shining down the path to his future as he walks in obedience to its direction. Those who do not have the light of God’s Word in their lives find themselves groping in the dark, trying to feel their own way through existance.

We take the Word of God as His law for us to follow. “For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23). The moral law of God is still valid for new covenant believers in that obedience to it is an expression of true love for God and love for each other (Luke 10:27). Again, each of God’s holy ordinances becomes a low beam to help our near sightedness with the immediate decisions we must make, and the whole of Scripture becomes a farsighted high beam to help us set our course for safely reaching God’s destiny for our lives. The Bible is not afraid to show us the results of the lives who followed God's Word by faith, and those who did not.

Godly Examples – Now, if the first lighthouse is the Holy Spirit, and the second lighthouse is the Word of God, then what is the third? I’ve heard it said that the final lighthouse is our feelings and the emotional response we give to the other two lights that help us know we are in God’s will. But the “If it feels good, do it” philosophy is nothing more than reconstituted romanticism. I’ve heard others suggest it is the circumstances and situations of life that lend us guidance. Accepting circumstances contrary to the Word of God is not God’s perfect will for His children. While it may be true that we feel good about the direction we are taking, and while life's circumstances may even be playing out toward a divine direction, these would tend to be very unstable indicators of God’s will. Our emotions may lie to us, and we may even encounter adverse circumstances while moving in obedience to God’s will. Although emotions and circumstances may confirm God’s direction, I would not put a great deal of stock in these as instruments of guidance.

Next to God’s Spirit and God’s Word, the most trustworthy light for our path are the lives of many godly men and women who have gone before us. In all of the Gospels, Jesus repeated this phrase, “Follow me” (John 1:43). Of all the examples of godly living, the primary example is the life of Christ. Jesus is God who wrapped Himself in the flesh of human life for a time to set for us the flawless example of living out God’s perfect will, “that we should follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21). Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of what God can do with a man fully yielded to the Spirit. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Christ is the perfect example, but we also have many other godly examples in Scripture and history of men and women who sacrificed to serve for the sake of the call of God on their lives. “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). Paul boldly declared to other believers, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). So add to your devotional reading the biographies of believers who remained faithful and true to God’s divine direction to the end. Personally, I prefer reading "dead authors", because they can’t backslide. “But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). These three lighthouses will show clearly the way God has for us to go, and help us to walk in the prophetic.

We’ve all heard the legendary story of that thick foggy night when the Chief Officer of a tramp steamer was peering over the side of the bridge. Suddenly, to his intense surprise, he saw a man leaning over a rail, only a few yards ahead of him and on a collision course. “You confounded fool!” the Chief Officer roared, “Where do you think your ship is going. Don’t you know I have the right of way? Move!” Out of the gloom came a sarcastic voice, “This ain’t no blinkin’ ship. This here’s the lighthouse. You move!” When we are properly aligned with the lighthouses of God’s will, we will avoid life's shipwrecks and be able to observe Him move on our behalf.

When God moves in our favor, one preacher explained, He will work in one of three ways. God may intervene swiftly and supernaturally on our behalf to change our circumstances for His glory. This may come as a miracle act or event. Secondly, God will often choose to interact to meet our needs, by saying “If you will do this, I will do that.” This looks very much like a partnership between us and God. Although God is God and can do as He will, at times He chooses to cooperate with us to see a thing through. Finally, God’s will may be to inner-act within us. In so doing, God’s kind intention is not to change the circumstances, though we may pray in that way. When God inner-acts, He doesn’t alter your circumstances, rather He intends to change you in the circumstances. Knowing what God is up to can help us deal rightly with our times. Here God doesn’t calm the outward storm. He calms you in the storm. He’s changing your character. Apply yourself to seek to know God's will for your life today!

Hallelujah Chorus!

2010-12-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

introdution to the Lord's gym

2010-11-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

The Blessing - Psalm 20

2010-11-25T07:25:00.000-08:00

May the Lord ...
- Answer you in trouble
- Set you on high
- Send you help
- Strengthen you
- Remember your offerings
- Grant your heart's desires
- Fulfill all your plans
- Fulfill all your petitions
- Give you victory
- Answer you when you call

Hitting the Mark

2010-11-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

Sin means to miss the mark. At the cross, Jesus Christ removed the sin issue from our lives. Through faith in Christ we are no longer condemned, and yet we daily struggle with sin in our lives. As I prayed and studied this out, I thought about six stages of spiritual growth and development for hitting the mark of God’s will in the believer’s life. I do not intend to make this into a “works doctrine”. It is in Christ and Christ alone that we have victory over sin. But with all of the spiritual weapons we have at our disposal, we must develop a skill set that demonstrates our proficiency in achieving mastery over sin - in other words, spiritual discipline.

A disciple is a student who learns and increases in knowledge, by listening, practicing, developing the habits of, and becoming accustomed to the ways of his teacher. As one scholar put it, “Disciples are made, not born.” Jesus spent three years of His earthly ministry making disciples. Then He commanded His disciples to go and teach all nations in the same way (Matthew 28:19). In this analogy I like the archer's arrow to the Word of God and the bow to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Taking Up Your Bow & Arrows – What if in the very first stage of our spiritual development, we recognize that we have a bow and arrow, but we never willfully pick them up or by faith attempt to do anything with them. Have we missed the mark? The Word of God is our ammunition, and the Spirit of God is our bow. If we never implement what has been given to us, we have missed the mark purely from not even trying. How many believers never truly take the Word of God in hand and search out the deep things of God? How many believers having the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, do not seek out an intimate relationship with Him?

When we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, He gives us everything we need to live out the life He has designed for us. Peter taught, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:3). Everything we need to live the Christian life is already in us through Him.

Jesus said, “If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The fact that our salvation is paid for does not mean we are without obligation. We must take what God has given us and do something with it that truly honors Him. Christ is calling us to daily utilize our intelligence, gifts, talents, resources, time and abilities to glorify Him.

Please realize, if Satan can’t steal our salvation, then his next best strategy is to keep us so overwhelmed by the worries and the cares of this world (Luke 8:14) that we wind up being completely ineffective and unproductive for the kingdom of God (II Peter 1:8).

Taking Shots – In the second stage of spiritual development we pick up the bow and arrow, but attempt to use it randomly, firing off arrows here and there in an aimless manner. We are shooting at anything that moves, and not at the mark. All of this is like taking spiritual potshots. We’ve missed the mark, because although we now have the Word of God in our hand and the Holy Spirit’s presence, we have no clearly defined purpose or direction for our lives, and in this way we are quite dangerous to ourselves and others around us, but not dangerous for the Lord or against His enemy. We might accidently hit the mark, or accidently hit each other, but most of the time we just miss the mark.

Paul recognized how a new believer without spiritual guidance could find himself in this situation. He likened this to two other athletic endeavors. “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air” (I Corinthians 9:26). The runner doesn’t run with an uncertain direction, but races for the finish line. The boxer does not waste his energy on swinging without the intention of striking his opponent decisively. The wasted effort would sap all of the athlete’s strength. Too many believers are living aimless Christian lives without a true sense of their divine purpose.

Taking Aim – We are finally finished playing around with the bow and arrow, and eye the target, take aim, draw back the bow and fire. The first arrow is over range. The next falls down range. Another arrow goes to the left, the next veers to the right. We couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. At this stage we are trying to use the Word and operate in the Spirit for the right reasons and in the right way, but we are yet unskilled and untrained. Although we are to be commended for our efforts, we are far off the mark. Please remember, missing the mark for the believer does not equal condemnation, but it is keeping us from achieving God’s highest and best for our lives. Our failed attempts are a good thing in the sense that they teach us that we don’t know what we are doing. Realize that there is more to this than meets the eye, and we need help.

Where can we find the kind of help we need to learn to be on target with our Maker Creator’s design? The Psalmist declared, “My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). The Lord is ready to help us with whatever we need.

One of the first lessons we must learn is how to dial in our aim, by becoming intimately acquainted with our bow. Remember our bow is the Holy Spirit. Become sensitive to the Spirit of God, Who dwells within our human spirit. He is the presence and the power of God with us and in us. Just like our arm and bow must become one, so we must become one with the Spirit. In overcoming sinful behaviors, Paul gave this advice. “[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh … If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25). It is difficult to do two things at the same and get good at either one. So we must concentrate on walking in the Spirit, instead of obsessing over sinful behaviors. One will overtake the other.

At this stage we don’t know everything, but the one thing we must know is how to love others as Jesus loved (I John 3:16). Although you may not have studied the whole Bible yet, and certainly haven’t perfected your skills, if you will strive to love, you will not be far off the mark.

Training and Skill Building – At the fourth stage we submit to formal training. We take an archery class at the junior college or the YMCA. In class we learn everything from the history of archery to some basic techniques in handling the bow and arrow. We are now taking archery more seriously, and even investing in some of our own equipment. We have become an enthusiast of the sport, and actually watch it on TV. We even go out and practice once or twice a week. But those who compete in the sport professionally are so much better than us. “How did they get to that level?” we wonder. In this spiritual analogy, we are becoming followers, but haven’t reached the proficiency of those we are learning from, because there is still so much more. This where we realize the importance of good spiritual leadership.

Training is important, and the expectation is certainly there in other areas of life. Why do we think the Christian life will just happen to us? Listen to what Paul said about spiritual training. “… Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next” (I Timothy 4:7-8 NLT). In other areas of life there are coaches, teacher, professors, mentors, personal trainers, sponsors, accountability partners. In discipleship we will need to submit ourselves to spiritual authority.

Every believer is not a disciple, because every believer doesn’t submit themselves to fully following in the Master’s footsteps. Our salvation in Christ is God’s free gift to us, but becoming a true disciple of Christ will cost us everything! Jesus didn’t pull any punches when said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). Are we ready for this?

Christ has blessed us with spiritual leadership in the church to functionally equip us for His service (Ephesians 4:11-12). These officers of the church are positioned to disciple and train the believers to multiply effective ministry.

Achieving Mastery – Have you ever watched Olympic Archery on television? Those guys are good! What do you think it would take to reach that level of expertise? It takes many hours of daily training and practice to achieve mastery of a sport like that. Even after submitting to a team coach, and also the tutelage of a personal trainer, just to qualify for an Olympic team would be an achievement in itself, let alone winning a gold medal. Why would we think it would be any less difficult to walk in the fullness of all that God has for us?

Paul again shares with us a tremendous insight about how a runner trains for his race. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible … But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:24-25, 27). In the same way any athlete would train for their sport.

Mastery is the key to success in our spiritual walk. The fundamental principle of mastery has to do with becoming self-controlled in every area of our lives. Temperate means to be curbed, restrained in ones behavior. In a figure drawn from the Greek athletic games, the athletes in preparing themselves for their events willfully abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence. It was all part of putting forth a quality performance, so as to win, and not allow anything to disqualify them from the prize.

Now at this stage of mastering archery we are hitting the mark more than we are missing. We haven’t achieved perfection, but we’ve developed award winning skill. In competition we have our sights set on the ultimate goal, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith …” (Hebrews 12:2). Remember, we have this one goal, to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

At this higher level of performance, sin is not so much a matter of overcoming a habitually addictive lifestyle that holds us back, but rather to the master archer it is very small incremental adjustments that improve quality and technique. Archery has become an art of skillful detail. A bad shot is no longer bad simply because we missed, for we may have hit the mark, but violated a rule in the process, which is known as a fault. We could hit the mark, but accidently crossed the line with our foot. As it relates to spiritual conduct, this might be like speaking the truth, but without a loving attitude (Ephesians 4:15). The rules of the game are not meant to inhibit performance, but rather to enhance our ability to more accurately and consistently hit the mark. In athletic competition not following the rules is cause for disqualification.

Considering External Forces – To this point we have spent all of our time training in an enclosed arena, under controlled circumstances, take fixed targets and we decide to take our bow and arrow to the woods to do some real sportsman like hunting. Warning – we are entering an entirely different environment. When they refer to hitting the “bull’s eye”, now they really mean a bull’s eye. We will be targeting live game in the great outdoors. When we take aim and fire we miss, because we must shoot ahead of the moving target. We have great aim, but a twenty mile an hour gust of wind crosses our trajectory and we miss again. This is really frustrating, because in the arena we are an expert, but in the field there are new and different influences on our marksmanship. If we do not learn to take all of these external forces into consideration and adapt to our environment, we will miss the mark, like a rookie.

Can we see that we are now out in the real world? We're not sheltered in the church or a live-in recovery program. We aren’t cloistered at a church retreat, monastery or even isolated in a prison. We are in the world, but not of it, daily facing temptations and distractions that can hold us back, slow us down and impede our progress in accomplishing our goals. We must become spiritually disciplined to keep our focus and attention on the prize.

We are responsible to take all of our skills and abilities, and apply them to living in the real world. External forces may include, but are not limited to others around me, Satan’s temptations, fleshly desires and worldly influences. “… Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). To be released from all of these encumbrances gives us flexibility, agility and freedom of movement to adjust and adapt to various circumstances, and useful for the Master’s service in any situation. A simple rule of thumb is this, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Conclusion

Can we see now what makes sin a sin? God isn’t out to ruin our enjoyment in life, but He is longing for us to come into the fullness of all that he has for us. Christ freely offers us new life in Him. What do we plan to do with this? Will we try to live the new life in our old way, or will we pursue the perfect purposes of God for our lives? We were chosen for salvation. Now, how will we choose to live?

There seems to be an imbalance in an overemphasis of grace today, to the denial of holiness. Grandma said, “Grace does not get rid of works; it produces them. It doesn’t make them unnecessary; it makes them possible.” We can confess our faith all we want, but we demonstrate our faith by what we do. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). We don’t want to just call ourselves Christians. We really want to live the Christ life!

IF

2010-10-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

HIMSELF

2010-09-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

by A. B. Simpson

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the vail.

A Man to be Remembered

2010-06-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

by my daughter Tamara Abreu (in memory of my father)

A man to be remembered by his strong dominant presence.
A man to be remembered by his loving correction of wrongs.
A man to be remembered by his undying love for God.
A man to be remembered by his everlasting impressions.
A man to be remembered by his knowledge of God's Word.
A man to be remembered by his commitments.
A man to be remembered by the soft touch of his hand.
A man to be remembered as a disciple.
A man to be remembered as a sovereign worshipper.
A man to be remembered as a father.
A man to be remembered as a grandpa.
A man to be remembered always and forever.
A man to be remembered as Sharry Han.

Speaking Prophetically

2010-04-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
I Corinthians 14:3

This day I choose to prophesy. I have decided to stop speaking out of my own thoughts and opinions, and speak prophetically over my life and the lives of others around me. I have been created with the ability to form words that have the power to change lives and circumstances. The dynamic of the Holy Spirit dwells within me, discerning the heart of God over a matter or a person. I choose to prophesy.

I don’t know what you think of prophecy. Some relegate it strictly to foretelling the future. That is true, but that is not all it is. In a broader understanding, prophecy means to say before. Whenever I speak the word and the will of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I am operating in the gift of prophecy. Others see the gift of prophesy only as someone who might speak out over the congregation saying “Thus saieth the Lord …” Then they say to themselves “I can do that,” or “I won’t do that, so I must not have the gift of prophesy.” But, truth be told, we have the opportunity to speak prophetically every day. Whenever we refer to a person not according to what they were, or what they are, but to see them in light of what they will be with respect to God’s plan and purpose for their lives, that is prophecy. When I talk about my personal situation out of faith, based on the blessing and favor of the Lord over my life, I am prophesying.

The Apostle Paul desired that all believers would prophesy. And he set forth criteria in his letter to the Corinthians for New Testament prophecy. You can recognize prophetic words that are flowing from the throne of God, because they will always edify, exhort and comfort. This day I choose to speak prophetically

I choose to edify. To edify is to building up. The act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness and holiness is a person who is operating out of their prophetic ability. We need to speak God’s good, acceptable and perfect will over our lives, and the lives of those around us, in a constructive manner. A builder builds by design and with purpose. We need to tap into God’s Word as the Creator’s divine blue print for our lives. He is building us to be the temple for His dwelling. Treating yourself and others as the temple of the Holy Spirit is an issue of respect for God’s work in each of us!

I choose to exhort. Exhorting is to address by admonishing or instructing for the purpose of persuading through arousing and stimulating the call of God on each of our lives. When we speak over the lives of others it is for the purpose of helping them. Building them up, not tearing them down. Whether by sermon, or lesson, or counsel, our words can be constructive or destructive. Either by the spoken or the written word, choose to constructively exhort. Over all the things that we can receive through our eyes and ears, filter out everything that does not edify. Think on these things …
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

I choose to comfort. Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit to His disciples as the Comforter. Comfort is a calming and consoling, solace. You will recognize comfort for its refreshing, encouraging, and consoling qualities. We must seek to find the words that will bring the Lord’s comfort and encouragement. When we comfort we are operating out of the Spirit of Christ, for “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Oh, that we would choose to use our words in such a way that when we speak over ourselves and the lives of others that our words would release the purposes of God for His glory!

“Bless and curse not.”
Romans 12:14

God's Economy

2010-04-08T05:14:00.000-07:00

We could talk about the economy in terms of saving, investing, business, interest rates, inflation, etc. But what about your personal economics in terms of your relationship with God. This world’s economy is not God's economy.

Jesus instructed His disciples in Matthew's Gospel, when things are looking down, we should look up.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ... No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof."
(Matthew 6:19-21, 24-34)

Kingdom principles supersede temporary mortgage meltdowns and financial collapse. Putting God 1st is the key to overcoming in every area of our lives. The theme of our 2010 Spring Conference is "Good News for Challenging Times," featuring special guests Mike Rovner & Chuck Damato. They will be teaching biblical principles that will change your life! You don't want to miss this exciting meeting!RSVP NOW! For more information click this link. http://bit.ly/d8vrJg

The Wonderful Cross

2010-04-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Oh, the wonderful cross! Oh, the wonderful cross!
Bids me come and die, and find that I may truly live.
Oh, the wonderful cross! Oh, the wonderful cross!
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an off'ring far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!

(Wonder Cross - Words by Chris Tomlin, JD Walt, Jesse Reeves)
(When I Survey The Wondrous Cross - Words Isaac Watts, Lowell Mason)

Spiritual Songs

2010-03-02T05:37:00.000-08:00

Now, I am not a song writer, but there have been times when I am singing in the spirit, and the Holy Spirit will give me the interpretation of the song that I am singing. They have never been published, but I have used them for years in personal worship. This one I want to share with you today

I was vacuuming the church sanctuary on a Monday morning and there was no one else around. The Hoover has a nice hum to it. I would take the pitch of the vacuum's hum and sing and worship in unknown tongues. Once while vacuuming and worshipping, these words came to me in an unbroken flow.

"Fall on this Rock and be broken.
Fall on this Rock and surrender.
For without Me you can do nothing.
For without Me you can do nothing.

For I have anointed you.
I have appointed you,
For this time,
And this hour,
And this place.

That if you will be found in Me,
Humbly bow down to Me.
If you will surrender,
Then I, I will remember."

Perhaps the Lord would minister this word to your heart today.

Decisions of the Soul

2010-02-08T06:25:00.000-08:00

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
— Unknown

Conquering the Pressures of Business

2010-01-19T05:31:00.000-08:00

As Published in The Answer Magazine, January 2010
by Ken Walker

THE ED HAN STORY
Stockton, California USA

I hadn’t even had a chance to organize the day’s list of sales calls when my boss called me into his office. I went to see him with a smile on my face. In just two weeks, I would take over part of his operation and become a first-time business owner.

“Uh, oh,” I thought when I saw his serious look. “I wonder what’s wrong?”

“Ed, I’ve been talking to my accountant and attorney,” he said. “They’ve advised me not to sell the publication, but instead to walk away from it. I can’t sell the book to you.”

My heart sank. My wife, Lorri, and I were on the verge of buying one of his three telephone directories. We planned to take out a loan to cover the costs we couldn’t fund from cash flow. More significantly, we had mentally stepped into ownership.
Seeing the alarm on my face, he held up his hand.

“You’re the only one who knows,” he said. “After the distribution of my last book, I’m going to send out thank-you letters to our clients. All you have to do is send a follow-up letter explaining you are the new phone book in town. Just pick up where I left off.”

It took a minute for what he said to sink in. He wasn’t selling us the directory. He was giving it to us!

When I walked through the door 18 months earlier to take my first-ever sales job, I never dreamed that I would one day own a piece of the company.

My entry into business came at a point of crisis. My last job no longer paid enough for us to survive. When a friend told me about an opportunity in sales, I grabbed it.
I quickly discovered there’s a reason fewer than 25 percent of those who go into sales make it a career.

Though I started out on the phone because it was less confrontational, my boss told me, “What you need to do is take these business leads and get out face to face with people. You’re much better in person.”

Overcoming fear of rejection wasn’t any easier in person. I might encounter eight “no’s” before finding a “yes.” Still, as I persevered I learned that once I overcame my fear I had the ability to talk to people, make presentations and close the deal.

After a while, I talked to Lorri about buying one of the directories. I had some background in graphic design and was confident I could handle ad layouts. What I didn’t realize was the all-consuming nature of a small business. I used to think living on 100 percent commissions was tough. Being responsible for everything that goes on is pressure to the max.

We started out with just the two of us. Though Lorri had worked in retailing and previously owned two small businesses, publishing a directory was a new way of life.
Ironically, sales became the easiest part of the process. The four months of production called for 12-to-16-hour workdays, followed by back-breaking distribution of up to 40,000 phone books. We enlisted various community groups and all our children for the latter, paying the kids a nickel for each directory they delivered.

The key piece to our success was our relationship with Christ. There were times when our faith in God was the only thing that kept us going. Each day we prayed and asked Him for favor with whomever we met. Daily, we had to trust God to carry us through obstacles.

God responded to our prayer. Each year we saw 10 to 20 percent growth. Over a five-year period, our revenue doubled. God gave us innovative ideas. We became the first directory in our area to run full-color advertising. We were also the first to include a Spanish-language yellow pages insert. Some of the changes we pioneered showed up later in the phone company’s directory.

We also decided to do some “moral editing.” We omitted listings for adult bookstores, psychics, and other such services. On one occasion I was in the shop, laying out some headings. I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to call a toll-free number that supposedly provided weather reports. When I did, it turned out to be for a phone sex operation. Needless to say, we didn’t publish that number thanks to that word of caution from the Lord.

After the first year, we realized this publication also gave us an opportunity to tell others about Christ. Using a guide from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, we included a page that told people about the steps to peace with God.

Though we met success, at the end of five years our family was burned out by the time demands. Lorri looked for a buyer and found one. That company paid us a 150 percent premium on our annual sales, far more than our original offer for the directory.

Once the deal closed, I went into a new career in insurance and financial services. Ironically, this job includes plenty of sales calls, but I no longer fear them.

As a nine-year-old boy, I said “Yes” to Jesus. What I didn’t realize then was that receiving Jesus as my Savior and Lord would prepare and strengthen me for crisis to come, including my parents’ divorce the following year. As that young boy, I turned to the Lord Jesus in my time of need, and He sustained me.

During my pre-teen years, doubts and fears would plague me at times, but I stayed true to the Lord because I knew, by His track record in my life, He would always care for me. By the time I entered high school, I was a confident, committed Christian.

My grandparents lived lives of consistent service to God. They lived out, in a very real way, the relationship they each had with God. I could not have asked for better examples to guide me.

So yes, a young boy’s faith in Jesus can grow and sustain him into and through his manhood as he discovers God’s plan and purpose for his life.

As a man in business, I’ve learned that Jesus, the son of a carpenter, knows the pressures and pitfalls of the marketplace. Through BMF, I’ve met many other businessmen who are looking for guidance or solutions to workplace problems. My lifelong journey with Jesus has shown me that when we ask, He gives wisdom, guidance, and creative ideas that can get us around obstacles, bring solutions to problems, sustain us through economic downturns, and reset our direction when we’ve made costly mistakes.

In the economic downturn of 2008-09, many have struggled with slow or inconsistent levels of business. The bottom line is that more sales and/or improved profits won’t buy you happiness.

No matter what business you’re in, following Christ is the best call you can make.

(An insurance and financial services professional with a national company [www.allstateagencies.com/EdHan], Ed Han is also President of the Stockton BMF Chapter [www.bmfusa.com]. Also an author, his first book is titled "Identifying God" [www.edhan-idgod.vpweb.com]. He and his wife, Lorri, have eight children and two grandchildren. They attend Lakeview Assembly of God church [www.lakeviewassembly.com].)

Great Expectations

2010-01-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

by Gerald Macy (public domain)

Oh never sit we down and say,
"There's nothing left but sore."
We walk the wilderness today,
The promise land tomorrow.

And though age wearies by the way,
And hearts break in the furrow.
We'll sow the golden grain today,
And harvest comes tomorrow.

Build up heroic lives,
And all be like the sheathen saber,
Ready to flash out at God's call,
Oh victory of labor.

Triumph and toil are twins,
And ay, joy's sun, the clouds of sorrow.
Ti's the martyrdom today,
Brings victory tomorrow.

(I shared this at the commencment of my eighth grade graduation.)

House by the Side of the Road

2009-12-27T05:32:00.000-08:00

by Sam Walter Foss (public domain)

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths
Where highways never ran-
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife,
But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish - so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

This was a favorite poem of my Grandma Ellison who faithfully served the Gospel Center Rescue Mission in Stockton, CA for over 20 years, and founded the Haven of Peace Woman's Shelter in French Camp, CA (1959). If you can help these ministries today, thank you.

What Do You Give?

2009-12-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

What do you give to the person who has everything? What do you give to the Creator of all things? The Magi, wise men from the east, brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were expressions of untold wealth. But these gifts were also prophetically significant. Beyond the great worth of these Christmas presents was the foretelling of our redemption.

Matthew shared this picture which prefigures a day greater than the time of his birth. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

Frankincense – This was an incense which was familiar to the High Priest of Israel. The ministry of the priest was to be a mediator between God and the people – to intercede on their behalf with animal sacrifices for their sin. Frankincense was burned as a sweet fragrance to cover the stench of death and rotting or burning flesh. This newborn child of Mary’s was sent from heaven to be our Great High Priest. He came to live an exemplary sinless life, to be qualified before God to offer Himself as the perfect, ultimate and final sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus came to die. The sacrifice was bitter sweet.

The fragrant gum resin from the Boswellia tree also had another benefit. Frankincense also holds medicinal healing properties. Herbalists for centuries have used frankincense as a natural remedy to reduce inflammation. Only by familiarity with the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, could the wise men have known who Jesus was and what He would accomplish for mankind. Hear the words of the prophet, hundreds of years before Jesus was born. “But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Myrrh – Worth five times more than frankincense was this royal perfume. Mixed with precious oils, the aromatic spice derived from a tree resin fragranced the bedrooms of kings. But it was also used in the practice of embalming, even in embalming Jesus. As we can see in John 19:39, “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound [weight].” They removed His body from the cross and wrapped it in grave cloth and these spices. The myrrh at His birth foretold His burial. Three days in the grave was proof of His death.

The double use of this perfume is meant to remind us that although Jesus was dead and buried, this was not the end, for He was destined to be restored to His royal heavenly throne.

Gold – “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). The gold the wise men brought were treasures foretelling a ruler both human and divine. Without the Son’s obedience to the Father, even unto death, there could be no resurrection. But because Jesus Christ faithfully fulfilled God’s directions to redeem lost humanity, the Spirit raised our glorious Lord from the dead, and the Father laid all of the kingdom of God upon His shoulders. Jesus Christ is truly the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who rules and reigns forever more. He came from Heaven to return to heaven. From incarnation to resurrection, Jesus is our priceless gift of salvation from sin for eternal life with Him.

The wise men brought gold, some variety of myrrh, as well as frankincense as gifts to the infant Jesus. So what do we know of the possible significance of these gifts? Because He suffered, we will suffer. Because He died, we must die. Because He lives, we too will be resurrected to eternal life with Him. Give the gift of your life to the Lord Jesus Christ today!

"Great is Thy Faithfulness"

2009-11-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

1) Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. (chorus)

Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2) Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. (chorus)

3) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (chorus)

LuAnne McNabb 1958-2009

2009-10-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share a letter from my friend brother Darwin Benjamin at the passing of our mutual friend and sister in the Lord, LuAnne McNabb. May it remind you to live every moment to the glory of the Lord!

"It is with great and exceeding joy and humility that I write to you in regards to my sister in the Lord, LuAnne McNabb. I deeply apologize that I could not physically be with you, but know I am with you in spirit! I've asked my good friend Pastor Ed Han to represent me and my family by reading this short letter.

First, my condolences to the family, but please don't despair, rather celebrate that LuAnne is with her Lord. What God has done, no one can reverse. Honor her life with change by growing closer to Jesus. Let your light shine in these dark times to influence someone else for God's glory!

The Scripture says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8). Now I know we all have drama in our lives and weakness, but there is strength at the Cross, in the Word, and through Jesus! When I think of Sister LuAnne, one word comes to my mind "JOY!" That’s what she always portrayed to me, even in drama. Oh my!

We would get together and talk about what the Lord had done for us and in us. Then we would get to shouting and laughing and dancing, no matter where we were. And of course we both would cry! Man I loved that about her. She was one white lady who could fire me up for the Lord with her zeal. I could look into her face, for she was my biggest cheerleader in audience. Even if I stunk, she never let me know. She would say, “Brother I love your fire. I love hearing you preach and dance.” I hope she realizes she was preaching to me! Her laugh, her smile, her giggle and her voice when she sang was one who I feel was sincere, for she loved her Jesus. She knew what He did for her - she knew.

Unfortunately, we as people often judge people who are different from what we understand, not realizing that they are gifts from God to encourage and love others. For the gift God has given us is individuals like LuAnne, to build His kingdom. I thank God for my sister and what she personally did for me. She always expressed "Joy" to me, even when she didn't talk! I pray that you remember how she sparked your life, or at least tried to. And I pray that you will spread the joy of the Lord in remembrance of her life, and let’s finish what she was unable to complete! The Joy of the Lord is our strength! I for one will keep my joy and honor her life by influencing others! LuAnne, I’ll see you in heaven for eternity. I LOVE YOU MY SISTER! Rev."D"

P.S. Somebody please come to Jesus today, because even at her death, God is calling you to Life in Christ! Please don’t let this moment pass you by - LuAnne was prepared for death by receiving God's gift to the world, Jesus Christ who paid it all so you could have it all! Come!"

Being a Witness Where You Work

2009-10-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

W – Your Work is your Witness & Worship

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Philippians 2:14-15 “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.”

I Timothy 4:16 “ Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you."

Philippians 1:27 “But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News.” conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel

O – Seek Opportunities to bless and encourage

Romans 8:14 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

R – Redeem the time – Be productive. Use your time wisely

Ephesians 6:5 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.”

K – Let Kindness be your way of treating people

Ephesians 4:32; 5:2 “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you … Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.”

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

John 12:32 “And when I (Jesus) am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself."

I – Intercede for those around you

I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

I Timothy 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

N – Let them see your New Nature – Even in trials

James 1:2 “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.”

G – Give first - faithfully and consistently

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

II Corinthians 9:7-9 “You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."

A New Mind

2009-09-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

The very first word of the good new preached by Jesus was “Repent!” (Matthew 4:17). F. F. Bruce described repentance as involving a turning with contrition from sin to God. He said “The repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.) This is so true, but what we see of Biblical repentance has more to do with changing your mind, or way of thinking and understanding. We need a new mind!

Paul reminded us in I Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Our lives are filled with our own ways of thinking. We base our understanding of things on personal life experience, education and our emotions. By using this particular mode of thinking and judging, our perspective on life are limited and often flawed. If this is true, then the choices we make with this rational can turn out to be big mistakes. As a new man, I have the ability now to put on a new mind - the mind of Christ.

In Christ Jesus I have the opportunity to set aside my old way of thinking and begin to reason from Jesus’ own way of thinking. Paul again instructs us by saying, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Now, this is a process. Although we have newly revived spirits, it takes time and effort to change our way of thinking. We have two helpers. There is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, who now lives within our spirits, and we have the Word of God which comes to us from without through a variety of different ways.

My grandmother told me about Dutch spring cleaning. When she was a little girl, every spring the family would empty the house of everything – and I do mean everything. Then they would scrub the inside of the house from floor to ceiling, and every cupboard and corner. After this they would white wash paint the interior walls. Finally they cleaned everything they had taken outside the house, than brought them back in one by one. Now they brought in only the things that they were going to keep. These had to be useful and beneficial, for they lived very simple lives on that old Indiana farm. What didn’t come back into the house got trashed, given away or sold. Imaging if we let the Holy Spirit scrub our souls with the Word of God and give us a good “brain washing,” in a manner of speaking. That is to cleanse our thought life by the “washing of water by the word” (Eph.5:26). This includes clearing up confusing and misleading ideas even about who God is.

My wife’s grandparents also did something similarly in Ohio. She remembered that throughout the year they were very careful about what they brought into the house, because sooner or later they would have to deal with it. We must also continually guard our minds for thoughts and influences that we will later have to deal with.

If the air and the water are polluted and can have unhealthy effects on us, how much can our thoughts be polluted by the negative ungodly influences of this fallen world? My car radio is set on KYCC, KLOVE and 770AM. These are Christian music and Bible teaching stations that lift my spirit and help to fill my mind with godly thoughts. Still I have to judge and discern biblical truth from error in all of that, and not take it at face value.

It is my job to put on a right mind. “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on … an helmet, the hope of salvation” (I Thes. 5:8). God provides His Word to me. It is a protective helmet over the thoughts of my mind. But I must take it off the shelf and actively apply it to my life. Listen to it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Teach it. Live it!

Restricting God

2009-08-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

Just one of the reasons why I love the teachings of Watchman Nee. From his book "The Release of the Spirit". Chapter V, The Church & God's Work. (Italics mine.)

"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.

God's Manifestation & God's Restriction

There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.

In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.

Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.

The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.

Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."

Know No One

2009-08-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

A friend told me the other day, “The reason people say ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ is because people judge books by their covers.” The statement is made of books, but more commonly of how people judge other people. I don’t know how you know people, but let me tell you, looks are deceiving. I don’t want to know you on the outside. I want to know you on the inside.

Paul gives this instruction, “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh …” (II Corinthians 5:16). Created in the image of God, we are tri-part beings. As God is a trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, so we are spirits that have souls and live in bodies. Of those three components, the body of flesh is temporal, but the soul and spirit live forever. I see and acknowledge you in the flesh, but I don’t know you until I know your soul and spirit. This is one of the ways that the gift of discerning spirits operates. Not merely to distinguish between good and evil spirits, but to understand what is in the spirit of a man.

Our society puts a lot of stock into the outward appearance. It is not un-important to take care of your physical body and care for your appearance, but that is not the eternal you. The world obsesses over body image. Cosmetic plastic surgery, diet & exercise equipment sales number in the billions of dollars, while we are raising a Biblically illiterate generation. It’s time to make a serious investment in the spirit man, born again by the Spirit of God. This is the hour for an extreme makeover, soul edition!

“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (I Timothy 4:8)

Read, study, memorize, meditate and apply the Word of God to your life! Pray to, praise, worship and serve the Living God! Train yourself to be godly! That is true self improvement.

From this time on, I want to know the real you – the eternal you. When you die your body will go to the grave – earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. On that great resurrection morning you will dawn a new body, “not made with hands, eternal in the heavenly.” When I see you there, I may not recognize your “new suite,” but I will know your eternal soul & spirit. So take some time get to know yourself and others in a brand new way!

Prepare to Lose

2009-08-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

Do you ever find yourself fighting for something? Be careful. In your struggle you may be fighting with God. If you ever find yourself wrestling with God, prepare to lose! For in absolute surrender you will win!

Jacob was a fighter. Jacob was a loser. His name means to usurp by treachery or force. He tried to live up to the reputation of his name, but never seemed to get ahead. Just about everything he touched turned to dust in his hand. He was a wrestler, a scrapper, a grappler. But he always seemed to be wrestling with the wrong opponent. Remember “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” At birth he grappled with his twin brother to be first born, and he lost. He wrestled and wrangled to secure the birth right and the blessing of his father by deceptive means. He thought he had won, but in truth he had lost precious relationships with his family as he fled from the wrath of his brother. Jacob met his match when he approached his uncle for the love of his life. This time he tried to do the right thing, but in his best effort was deceived, manipulated and controlled. And yet the greatest failure of his life was soon to come!

It was at the point where in order to return to his homeland he would have to make peace with his brother. Peace would come at the price of sacrificing everything. At the ford of Jabbok he left his wife and children on the other side, and proceeded alone. Jabbok means to be emptied by utter failure or loss. At this stage in his life he would have to risk everything to achieve restoration. Jacob was devastated. It seemed as if he was always striving for something, but could never quite pin it down – until that night, when he was all alone, he wrestled a Man.

Scripture is not clear whether Jacob was asleep or awake; in consciousness or in the spirit. The word “wrestle” implies to grapple and get dusty. This was the fight of his life. Bigger than the Thrilla’ in Manila - this was the all or nothing round! But this was a fight he could not win! At the point that he felt the victory slipping away, Jacob grabbed hold of the Man for dear life! The Man dislocated his hip, but Jacob would not let go without a blessing.

“What is your name?” the Man asked (Genesis 32:27). “Usurper’” Jacob said. “(Not anymore. From now on you will be called Israel) for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). Israel means GOD PREVAILS! A name change like this always implies a changed life. Jacob lost. God won! God would continue to win in Jacob’s life as he submitted himself to God's lordship.

Jacob called that place Peniel which means face to face with God. No longer was Jacob striving against God, but rather was redirected toward God. Although his hip was forever disjointed, his life was reset in right alignment with the will of God.

Stop fighting with everyone and everything in life. You are not wresting with stuff. You are wrestling with God. When you finally realize that you are grappling with God, GIVE UP! – and let Him realign your dislocated life.

The Other Prodigal

2009-07-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Many of us have prodigals in our lives. A prodigal is one who wastefully squanders what he has. The prodigal that we are most familiar with is the younger son who prematurely took his share of his father’s estate and carelessly consumed it all on immoral living. This led to poverty and the awakening of his conscience to repent and return his father’s house. But did you know there is more than one way to wastefully squander what you have in relation to the father? Did you know there was another prodigal?

The elder son was every bit as much a prodigal as the younger son. Although he never left home, never took advantage of his father, worked hard and was always obedient, he was a prodigal none the less. Clearly and almost justifiably, he was enraged at his father hosting a barbeque to welcome home the younger son. The elder son was jealous, bitter, resentful and unforgiving. But that isn’t what made him a prodigal.

At the appeal of his father to join the party, the elder son accused the father of NEVER throwing a party for him and his friends. The father never celebrated his faithful service. Never gave him so much as a goat, let alone the fatted calf. It is the father’s reply that reveals to us the reality that the elder son in his own way is a prodigal, too.

“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31)

The elder son didn’t squander money, or consume rebellious living. The elder son wasted time and opportunity while sitting in the father’s house doing nothing. “ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS!” This was a true statement, for in the distribution of the father’s estate it would have been customary to will 1/3 to the younger son and 2/3 to the elder son. After the younger took his share and took off, the rest would befall to the elder son. While the younger squandered, the elder maintained the status quo. He lived a “get by” kind of life. He didn’t do too much. He didn’t do too little. Mediocrity might be the best description.

What hit me right between the eyes was this is like so many Christians today. We posses ALL the resources and assets of the kingdom of God. All that the father has is ours, now! We have the truth of the Word, the privilege of prayer, victory of the cross and the blood of Christ, resurrection power, the authority of the name of Jesus, protected with the armor of God and the constant abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide. What an utter waste if we relegate all of our divine inheritance into just showing up at church and paying our tithe. What a wasteful squandering of kingdom authority!

The five virgins were left behind for not being prepared for the bridegroom’s coming. The goats were separated from the sheep for doing nothing to help their brethren. The servant was judged by his master for burying his talent. He was convicted for being lazy. The seed sown among thorns produced no fruit due to the worries and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.

While we are here, we have kingdom work to do, in kingdom authority. We are here to work the works of God while it is yet day, not bide our time to until we can get rescued out of here! Freely you have received freely give!

No More Manna

2009-06-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed the generational shift taking place in the church today? The Grahams, Schullers, Hagins, Hickeys, Robertsons, Prices, Osteens and more. The next generation of leadership is stepping up in the church. But what will this next generation of leadership be like? How will they measure up in our time? I was reminded of another generational shift in Joshua 5.

"And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year." (Joshua 5:10-12)

What a transition from the leadership of Moses to the leadership of Joshua. "The manna ceased." Moses was a deliverer and Joshua a conqueror. The disposition of the people was different from one generation to the next. Moses' generation was born to slavery, and when times got tough, they always thought it would be better to go back to the good old days of slavery be the Nile. In contrast, the generation Joshua led was wilderness born, and when times got tough they always wanted to move forward into the Promise Land. Largely Moses experienced miracles of survival - manna from heaven, water from the rock, sandals that wouldn't wear out, quail from the wind. Joshua experienced miracles of conquest - the walls of Jericho crashing down, the sun standing still, overcoming enemies though being outnumbered.

It's interesting to me what punctuated this transition. "No more manna!" One day the people ate manna from the wilderness, the next day they crossed the Jordan River and they ate the produce of the Promise Land. They reaped where they had not sown. The next day the manna stopped! One day the people are living on miracles of survival, the next day they are experiencing and partaking of the fulfillment of God's promise.

What will this new generation be like in our time? Will they survive or thrive? Will this next period of the church go forward to accomplish what God has called them to, or will they constantly desire to return to what is comfortable and familiar? Will the church today do more or less for the kingdom of God? In order for us to move backwards, all we really have to do is nothing. But there is a great deal of work and responsibility in moving forward. Yes, God has given us the land. Yes, the fields are ripe unto harvest. But the people must transition from helpless wanderers to become hard working farmers who possess the land and make it produce. The responsibility of the Joshua generation is that they inherited the promise of God, but the price of the gift is to care for and maintain what has been given.

What has God given to this new generation? What inheritance have we received in Christ from the previous generation? I believe the fields are ripe unto harvest! I believe this generation has an opportunity to reap where they have not sown and advance from where our predecessors left off. But we still have work to do. Posses the land! Bring in the harvest! Sow into the next season! Pray! Win souls! Disciple! Equip the saints! Let us be the generation that truly enters in, and not falls back. Which do you want - manna or the next move of God?

Knowing God

2009-06-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

How well do you know God? You may know about Him from what others have said. You may have done your own study and research on God, and have an academic knowledge of Him. You may even have intimate knowledge of Him based on your own personal relationship with Him.

There is yet another dimension to knowledge. It comes from the little Greek prefix “epi” as in “epi-gnosis,” which is to super-impose knowledge and thereby come to a complete and precise understanding. This knowledge is not general or informational. We have the opportunity to increase in correct spiritual knowledge (epi-gnosis) about God which is supernaturally imposed .

The Apostle Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17 for believers, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge (epi-gnosis) of him.” We can study Him and know Him by His Word, the Holy Bible. But add to that the dimension of the indwelling presence of the God's Holy Spirit in our lives as believers. With the Spirit’s help, by giving gifts of wisdom and revelation, we can “know him better” (NIV).

When I learned about this kind of knowledge (epi-gnosis) - the super-imposition of understanding - it reminded me of my souvenir collection. Whenever I go on a trip I try to find the cheapest souvenir. I discovered for fifty-one cents I can get a smashed penny. Into the machine I put my two quarters and a copper penny which already has the image of President Lincoln. After I crank the handle it comes out of the machine thinner, stretched and with the new image of a landmark. Although there is the faint and distorted old image of Mr. Lincoln on the back, the new impression on the front is now prominent. Is that what happens when we come to the knowledge of Christ? When we seek God by the Spirit and the Word, we want to know and understand who Jesus is to us. We want to discover what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives. This kind of seeking changes us as God stamps His divine image on our lives! The dominant image then becomes “… Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). With this new understanding of our relationship with God, our true identity is solidified. His life becomes our life. His identity becomes our identity. His nature becomes our nature. His love becomes our love. By putting our faith in Him, we are being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

This super-imposition is about searching out the things of God through His Spirit within us until we become a part of Him; a partner with Him, and become a full participant in Him. Knowing the truth about God has the power to change our lives. Not through mere informational or intellectual ascent, but by the Spirit's gift of revelation knowledge. In seeking the Lord, we are being impressed upon by the Holy Spirit to come to the full and complete “knowledge (epi-gnosis) of the Son” (Eph. 4:13).

Life Isn’t A Disneyland

2009-05-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

“We’re going to Disneyland!” was my announcement to my six and eight year old girls, to which they replied with shrieks and squeals. Their life-long dreams where soon to be fulfilled.

The trip would be long and arduous, but certainly worth the effort to be able to play in Mickey and Minnie’s backyard. I even think that waiting in the ticket line for my eager Mouseketeers seemed longer to them than the entire drive down to Southern California, but we had finally arrived.

As we entered the park, I could hardly wait to show them all of the spots I remembered as a child. We enjoyed the train ride, the stroll down Main Street, a little shopping along the way and even a tour through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Then I popped the question, “How do you like Disneyland?”

To my utter surprise my eight-year-old daughter turned to me with a look of disappointment as she answered, “Well, it isn’t really what I expected.”

“Tell me what you mean,” I said.

“I thought,” she explained, “Disneyland would be like a big playground, and we would get to play all day with Mickey and Minnie.”

Life, I have come to discover, isn’t always what we expect, and the things that happen in life don’t always turn out like one of those Disney cartoons with a happy ending.
Many of us spend our whole lives planning and preparing for the good things that lay ahead. As a child looks forward to Disneyland, a teen looks forward to driving and the freedoms of adulthood. A young adult looks forward to a career that will afford them financial freedom in years to come. And a middle aged person looks toward the restful and relaxing years of retirement.
Nobody plans in their idealistic life to go bankrupt, get a divorce, lose a child to death or be diagnosed with cancer. Most people don’t plan for tragedy, but sadly trials, failure and hardships could strike any one of us irrespective of who we are, or what we have been like. Jesus reminded us,

“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)

As long as we live in this fallen world, in this mortal body of flesh, we are not immune to the affects and influences of our environment. Unfortunately, some never recover such difficulties, while others seem to just break even. But there are those who become victorious overcomers no matter what! In all of life’s trials I have found a biblical principle to be true. This was my grandmother’s life verse.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

What the Apostle Paul expressed was that those who put their trust in God have a definite advantage in life. Not that they are excluded from the struggles of life, or that they are somehow unaffected by them. But rather that those who love God and walk out their lives in faith aliening themselves with His will, find that the end result of any of their adversities is only good always. Taking all of the good and all of the bad things in life, God promises “ALL THING WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.” Not necessarily what you think is good at the time, but what Creator God deems as His overall good in accordance with His divine purposes.

This may seem to be too good to be true, but many will testify that having the love and care of God in your corner can turn many of your trials into gold. It is not too late to see God work your hardships for good, if you will put your trust in Him today.

Is God Dead?

2009-05-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

The cover of Time Magazine, April 8, 1966 featured three disturbing words. “IS GOD DEAD?” Although the vast majority of American’s say they believe in God, the real question is what do they believe about God? The article sited several ideas from “on the street” interviews.
- Scientist - “God, if anything, is hydrogen and carbon. Then again, he might be
thermonuclear fission, since that’s what makes life on this planet possible.”
- Prostitute – “God will get me out of this filth one day. He is a God of mercy, dressed all in
white and sitting on a golden throne.”
- Cleaning Lady – “God is a ghost floating in space.”
- Screenwriter – “God is an infantile fantasy, which was necessary when men did not
understand what lightning was. God is a cop-out.”
- Janitor – “God is like a fiery flame, so white that it can blind you.”
- Seminary Student – “God is all that I cannot understand.”
- Another Scientist – “God is the totality of harmony of the universe.”
- Playwright – “It is the voice which says, ‘It’s not good enough’ – that’s what God is.”
- Civil Servant – “God is a lot like he was explained to us as children. As an older man, who is
just and who can get angry at us. I know this isn’t the true picture, but it’s the only one I’ve
got.”

What is wrong with this picture? Things haven’t changed much over the years. Too many people are coming to God with their own ideas about who He is. He is not who we think He is. He is not who other people say He is. God is who He said He is. God is not dead, but if people put faith is a confused misunderstanding of God, I’m afraid they will be terribly disappointed.

In his book, “When God Doesn’t Make Sense,” Dr. James Dobson said, “There is no greater distress in human experience than to build one’s entire way of life on a certain theological understanding, and then have it collapse at a time of unusual stress and pain.” Did God fail, or did an individual’s misconception of God fail?

Who is God? What is His true identity? A person can be identified by personal I.D., fingerprints, blood type, dental records, or DNA. God’s identity is to be discovered in a diligent search for Him in the pages of the Bible, with the help of the Holy Spirit. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah saying,
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will
be found of you.” (Jeremiah. 29:13)

Our faith is only as good as the God we put our trust in. My book, "IDENTIFYING GOD" is designed to be a training course in identity. The study series begins with identifying God. In order to know who we are, we must first know who God is and why He made us - what our purpose is in Him. After identifying God, we can identify the believer. When we understand what the ministry of the believer is, we can then identify the ministry of the Church, and begin working together as one.

I am a fellow seeker, a fellow struggler. This has been a personal study for me that I would like to share with you. My search begins by understanding the knowledge of truth. The direction that my study takes investigates the meaning of the seven proper names for God from Old Testament Hebrew. These can help us to define the nature, character and authority of God. You will also gain a perspective of the kind of relationship that He wants to have with us. From this vantage point, you will get a clear perspective of who Jesus Christ is in relation to God. Finally, you will meet the Holy Spirit and discovery His divine attributes and manifestations.

These lessons are intended to be an introduction to the unique and personal relationship God wants to have with each of us. It is not my intention to be exhaustive, as the mystery of who God is must become a lifelong pursuit. If time spent in my book helps you to get off to a great start in your faith, or fills in the gaps of a partial understanding of the Lord, and thereby improves your relationship with Him, than the many hour spent in study and preparation have been worth it all.

May you be blessed and greatly rewarded in your diligent pursuit of the true and living God.

Check out my book "IDENTIFYING GOD at www.edhan-idgod.vpweb.com

PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF ED HAN

2009-05-09T16:17:00.000-07:00

There are miracles everywhere that need to tell their story of the life changing power of Jesus Christ. Let these excerpts from my life inspire you to share what the Lord has done for you!

Salvation
At nine years old, I was seated second row from the back with my mother at church. The minister was presenting a chalk talk about Jesus’ crucifixion at Mount Calvary. When the lighting changed, from the drawing of that rugged hill appeared a portrait of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The minister asked if anyone wanted to receive Christ for salvation. Something struck me deep inside. I didn’t know much at that young age, but I knew I was a sinner and I needed a savior. I raised my hand in response to his invitation, but he didn’t see me. Driving home in the family’s VW van on that summer Sunday morning in 1971, I asked my mother, “What do you do after you raise your hand?” As soon as we got home, she took me in the back room, sat me on the end of the bed, and explained God’s love for me in sending His Son to suffer and die that I might be saved. Then she led me in a prayer to receive Christ as my Savior. I experienced an immediate change deep in my conscience, as I became aware of the still small voice of the Spirit guiding me.

My father was furious when he heard the news. “A boy can’t understand that kind of commitment!” But day by day he began to witness a life that was truly changed by the power of God. He began to see it in my servant’s heart and loving attitude. About a year later my parents divorced. I felt confused, but not alone. I hungered for fellowship with God, and prayed every day to draw closer to him. In the summer months I would hop on my bike and ride to the Christian bookstore in the mall, where they had gospel tracks, Jesus pencils and non-stop Christian music playing. I would spend hours in the store. People were friendly, and I felt closer to God there than at home surrounded by my family’s crisis.

Calling
My grandparents were faithful servants of the Lord, who superintended the Gospel Rescue Mission. I was twelve when I announced to my grandmother I had been reading a New Testament Living Bible, and I felt like God was calling me into the ministry. She was quick to explain how God used Jesus to teach the teachers in the temple even at my age. “If God could use Jesus,” she proclaimed “then God can use you!” I received her words of wisdom, and made a commitment to dedicate myself to the Lord’s service.

It wasn’t long after that when my grandfather approached me saying, “The preacher for tonight’s service can’t make it. Do you want to bring the message tonight?” Before I really thought about what he was asking I said yes. The only Bible verse I really knew was John 3:16, so I read the verse a few times and prayed for the Lord to help me. That night I was nervous. When my grandfather introduced me I started in to my message. I don’t remember what I shared, but he said the longer I preached the louder I got. Three decisions for Christ were made that night. I thank God that he can use anybody – even me.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit
By the age of sixteen, I was doing everything I knew to do to serve the Lord. Taking my Bible to school, I had many opportunities to witness to teachers and students on campus every day. When summer rolled around I hooked up with a school friend and we started a visitation ministry in our youth group. We were so thrilled with how God was using us to minister that we stopped by the high school for a prayer meeting. It was a summer evening and there was nobody around. As it was turning dark, we sat in the grassy quad area and prayed. I think I spoke about every praise phrase I knew, expressing my heartfelt thanks to the Lord. When I said the “amen,” my friend began to pray. While he was talking to the Lord, the Lord was talking to me. “Did you say everything you wanted to say?” To be honest, there was more in me than I had the ability to express. I felt like a bottle, sealed tight and all shaken up with carbonation, just waiting to explode. Then the Spirit of the Lord spoke again in a whisper from within me, “I have a gift for you.” A Bible verse immediately came to mind “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). Then I knew what He was talking about. As soon as my friend was through praying, I asked him to pray for me to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

He took my hands and prayed. Then he began to speak over me in a language I couldn’t understand. That same still small voice spoke to me again, “Speak this sound and I will give you the rest.” The Spirit gave me a short “i” sound. I felt foolish to speak it out, but I stepped out in faith anyway. When I spoke it out a fluid language began to flow from me. In a matter of seconds I was singing in a language I had never learned. It was dark out now and my eyes were closed. But inwardly I was being flood with light. I walked away from that experience with a peace and joy in the Lord I had never known before.

I can only say that from that moment on the power of the Holy Spirit began to operate in my life. I can’t say what happens to others, but for me, when I received the power of the Spirit all of the gifts of the Spirit became operational through me. I could tell stories about how every one of the gifts from I Corinthians 12:8-10 began to function in me as the Spirit led.

Street Evangelism
Hanging out with a friend one night, shortly after I had received the Spirit’s power, we drove down the Avenue where the young people would cruise. He suggested we get out on the street and witness to them about Christ. I had shared my faith many times, but going out on the rough streets was a new experience. We parked at a fast-food place and prayed. We grabbed our Bibles and headed down the street. It seem like the street was full of youth, but when we walked down the street no one was out. We crossed the street and headed back, and I thought we were home free, when we encountered a group of partying teens. I took about three steps in front of my friend and walked right on by. Basically, I chickened out. When my friend pasted them, one guy yelled out, “Hey, is that a Bible in your hand?” My friend froze. He looked at me, than looked at them. Then he turned around and followed me.

We got back to the car, and it was quiet all the way home. We parked in front of my house, and then broke down weeping and praying for God to give us boldness to reach our generation for Christ. In our failure God emboldened us with a commission to take that street for Christ. For the next two years we went out faithfully every Friday night, and took many more friends with us to reach out to lost young people in our city. Some lives where changed for Christ, but mostly we were changed as we realized God was able to use us if we were willing to serve.

Business –Yellow Pages
I’d been in the ministry for twelve years, but had no business experience, when my wife and I had an opportunity to acquire a yellow page publication. I had worked in sales with the publisher a year and a half when he was going to sell one of his directories. He accepted our offer, and we were soon to be in business. About two weeks prior to launching out on our own, the boss said, “I can’t sell the book.” At this news my heart sank. He went on to explain, “But you are the only one who knows. At the distribution of my last book, I am going to send out thank you letters to our clients. All you have to do is send a follow up letter explaining you are the new phone book in town, and pick up where I left off.” He wasn’t selling the phone directory to us. He was giving it to us.

We did as he instructed and God blessed us beyond our expectations. I asked God why He would honor us in such a way. I believe He said it was His gift to us for years of faithful service for Him. At that point we felt lead to do something we had never done before. We began to tithe in faith, not what we earned from advertising sales, but rather tithe based in what we needed. This we did for our first full year in business. Our revenue doubled over the next five years. It was at that time that another publisher offered to buy the phone book for ten times what the original published offered to sell it to us for. We believe God honored His Word of blessing in putting Him first in our business. We have since carried these lessons with us into our insurance business and other ministry endeavors.

Writing
I was just coming out of a dry season in my spiritual life. I have always tried to be faithful and committed in the Lord’s service. My wife’s sister had a word from the Lord for us. “New beginnings. New ministry.” We graciously received it and put it on the “prayer shelf” for further consideration. Several weeks later there came a prophetic word from an evangelist who called me out during a service in an unusual way. This prophecy confirmed the first message. Then, a New Year message from another evangelist urged us to prayerfully write down the ten things God wanted to do through us in 2007. The next morning I set out to complete this task. When I wrote down number 4 “write a book,” the whole idea of it immediately began to unfold. A couple of Sunday nights later a ministry friend was our guest speaker. When I went to greet him before the service, he said, “I had a dream about you. I was with you while you were teaching, and all of a sudden light flooded the room.” These prophetic words inspired the spiritual direction for my first book.

I can’t make prophetic words come to pass, but I can prepare myself for their fulfillment, and obey the Spirit’s leading. Then I had to get to work. I have to thank my beloved wife Lorri and all of our eight children for their patient understanding, as time was taken from them to accomplish the first of many manuscripts.

My book, “Identifying God” is an introductory study especially for seekers and new believers on the nature, character and authority of the God of the Bible. I am currently working on book two, “Identifying the Believer” which should be self-published like the first book by the end of this year. May these writings bless the body of Christ, and be a legacy of our family faith and trust in Christ Jesus.

Business Men’s Fellowship
After the completion of my first self-published book, the Lord laid on my heart to get in touch with the chapter president of Business Men’s Fellowship and find out when and where the next meeting was to be held. When he explained the meetings had been disbanded, I told him we had to get started again, because the Lord told me to get involved. We then began to contact the business people that we knew to gather them together and share the vision. BMF is thriving in a down economy and a hard hit community, because God’s plan is to “prosper … and to give us a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

During a prayer retreat with BMF leadership, the Lord laid something new on my heart. “Take another business man and go for a prayer walk in one of the business districts.” The first one that came to mind was the Avenue I use to witness on when I was a teenager, known as “the Miracle Mile.” With Answer Magazines in hand we walk and pray from storefront to storefront each week, simple introducing ourselves thus … “I’m Ed and this is Jack. We are with the Business Men’s Fellowship. We are not selling anything. But is there anything we can pray with you about?” Business people have been warm and inviting when they realize we have come to bring hope to a hurting community. We have prayed with people in their stores and on the streets to know the Lord and for God to help meet their needs.

We’ve got a lot to give, and this is the time when people are open and they need it the most. We have “The Answer” that people are looking for. Thank you for the privilege of share God’s grace and power to use me, as he wants to use you, too.

To be continued ...

House of Prayer

2009-05-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

"I am setting My house in order.
You set your house in order.
My house is a house of prayer.
I want your house to be a house of prayer."

I received this word from the Lord in a still small voice, while worshipping at church Sunday morning. Now, I always want to weigh carefully such words to be certain they are truly biblical, and not my own random thoughts. This word has a real Bible basis!

Isa 56:7 "Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people."
Mar 11:17 "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Personally, I pray alot. I have journaled for years, and I strive to "pray without ceasing" (I Thes. 5:17), that is to live in a state of devoting my thought life to the Lord in prayerful conversation. But I have to honestly admit, I can see where issues have come up, and I have been more inclined to act on my own understanding, rather than seek spiritual guidance. "Everything by prayer" (Phil. 4:6) was the Apostle Paul's instruction. Everything means EVERYTHING! There is nothing in the Christian life too trivial to pray about.

I learned a long time ago, about the sin of prayerlessness, and sinning in my prayer. Let me explain. James said “Ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jam. 4:2). I understood that when I fail to pray about a matter, in my prayerlessness, I am saying to God with my silence, “I don’t need Your help. I can handle this situation myself.” I don’t ever want to send this message to God. I want to trust and believe Him for everything. I need God’s intervention even if I don’t think I need help. John Wesley said, “God does nothing, except in response to answering prayer.” We all know God can intervene, but I believe he chooses not to until we invite him into our circumstances.

The other issue James addresses is regarding sin in our prayers. How can you sin when you are praying? “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss” (Jam. 4:3). This has to do with asking out of selfish motives. We must hold the will of God before us at all times. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (Joh. 14:13). Our proper motivation in whatever we ask is to glorify God – nothing more or less. The word “amiss” reminds me of the original meaning of the word “sin”, which is to miss the mark. What is the mark? The bull’s eye is God’s will. If we will pray in accordance with the Word and the Spirit, in the love of Christ, to Glorify God, how could we miss?

Today begins a week of prayer in our fellowship (http://www.lakeviewassembly.com/), and the National Day of Prayer (http://www.ndptf.org/) on Thursday. Let us attend the House of Prayer in intercession, and let us make each of our homes places where prayer is the standard of life and living!

10,000 Times 10,000

2009-04-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

Please don’t try to make a doctrine out of this. It is a spiritual principle, and not intended to be an exegetical study.

I was in a prayer meet most of the day last Saturday with some of the leaders of the Business Men’s Fellowship. Most of the day we had twelve men in constant prayer to seek God’s direction for the ministry. Twelve was also a significant number to Jesus. Though He had many disciples, He specifically called out twelve. What was the point of twelve? This Scripture came to my remembrance.

“How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?” Deuteronomy 32:30

I recognize that this passage refers to the favor of the armies of Israel against their enemies. But I have often found that Old Testament physical warfare has correlations to New Testament spiritual warfare. One Israelite warrior had tremendous favor on the battlefield against the enemies of the Lord. So what did that have to do with Jesus ordaining twelve with apostolic authority. I’m no “math wiz”, so bear with me. It seems the favor increases ten times with each warrior, etc.

Then it hit me …
1 vs 1,000
2 vs 10,000
3 vs 100,000
4 vs 1 Million
5 vs 10,000,000
6 vs 100,000,000
7 vs 1 Billion
8 vs 10,000,000,000
9 vs 100,000,000,000
10 vs 1 Trillion
11 vs 10,000,000,000,000
12 vs 100 TRILLION

I have no idea how many godly angels or fallen demonic spirits exist in the kingdom of God. John the Revelator said, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11). That number alone looks like 100 million and then some.

In prayerful authority we walk in spiritual power over the forces of darkness! Jesus told these same disciples, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). We really don’t need a mathematical formula to realize that just a room full of Spirit filled believers who come together to pray in faith and agreement with the Lord’s will, do so in authority over ALL spiritual forces! But the shear numbers gave me a vivid picture of what ALL really means. The theory (not doctrine) is that Jesus called out 12, because 12 possessed total domination over any, every and all spiritual powers. It only took 12. Twelve was enough. If this is true, then the principle is unchanged for us in our day. We must gather to pray! As the National Day of Prayer approaches on Thursday May 7, let us put into perspective, the power of prayer to affect the will of God in the earth! Let us pray!

School of Life Long Learning

2009-04-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

I’m passionate about Christian education. Call me “Christian Ed” if you like. I remember summer camp when I was a teen. We were visited by the president of a Bible college. His approach to the young people was very interesting. He asked the students, “What career choice have you made for your future?” Many kids weren’t sure. Others were confident they would pursue fields in engineering, medicine, law enforcement and business. His next question was simple. “After completing your education,” he asked, “how many years of your life will you spend in that profession?” Most of the young people assumed 30, 40, maybe even 50 years in their chosen occupation. He then asked, “How many years do you expect to be a Christian?” The obvious answer is the rest of your life. The last question was, “Then should you consider starting your adult life in Christian education?”

The Bible college president posed a convincing argument. Too bad I didn’t follow his counsel in my youth. It took me many more years to come to the reality of his sage advice. A career may last a few decades, but serving the Lord is forever. Yet, how seriously do we take the issue of adult Christian education? I believe as believers, when entering into relationship with Christ, we enroll in a “School of Life Long Learning.” One human lifetime is not enough to learn all there is to know about God. But isn’t that one of the primary reasons God has given this one life to you?
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ.” (Philippians 3:8 NLT)

However, I have witnessed well meaning Christians dismiss the value of faithful commitment to Bible study. “Sunday School is what I did as a kid,” seems to be their attitude. It really demonstrates an attitude of, “I did my time as a kid, so I don’t need Bible classes anymore.” With or without a degree, we don’t graduate from Bible school until resurrection. I am confident that I will take and teach Bible courses for the rest of my life. It is a matter of spiritual discipline in my mind.

Another deficiency to note is the “dummy down” approach being taken with adults. We need to teach to stretch and grow our faith by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). If I had my druthers, I would teach all adult classes at least to a junior college level. We tend to live with such low expectations of students that we seldom give homework or expect that students will memorize Scripture verses. You might be surprised at what level students will rise to when challenged and lead.

I’ve been so pleased with the resent response we had at our church in launching a school of ministry. I told the pastor if we could get six commitments we should start the two year diploma program. Wonder of wonders! We finished our first session with 24 disciples. Four times more than the fleece I had laid out. But people are hungry for discipleship, thirsty for the knowledge of God and longing for leadership.

In this day and age we desperately need believers to give God their best effort toward self-discipline to study, learn and grow. If you are gifted and capable, we need you to step up and teach the Word. If you are a true follower, seek out and find Bible based, Spirit filled courses to study. Join the “School of Life Long Learning” today!

If you live near Stockton, CA, take classes with us at Lakeview bible Institute (http://www.lakeviewassembly.com/). If you can study online, try Golden State School of Theology (http://www.goldenstate.edu/).

The Lost Coin

2009-04-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

I recently finished teaching a series on “Kingdom Parables”. A few weeks ago I was meditating on the parable of the “Woman & the Lost Coin” (Luke 15:8-10). This is one of the lost-and-found parables of Jesus. There is truly more joy in heaven when a lost soul is restored to faith in Christ. But something else occurred to me from this story. Practically speaking, what did the woman really loose? One coin out of the ten was probably equal to a day’s wages. I suppose that could stress a person out. But I think there was something deeper in her panic. The tenth coin that she lost was her tithe! And, according to Malachi 3 with the tithe goes the blessing.

Now, I understand that tithing is a controversial subject. I don’t see tithing as a command to new covenant believers. The New Testament command is to love – God, you, believers, neighbors and enemies. That encompasses just about everybody, don’t you think? Tithing is an expression of love for God and everyone else! The servant of the Lord owns nothing. Everything belongs to the Master. Regular, consistent tithing supports the local church that provides ministry to your family and others. Giving the tenth portion of our increase is a guideline that expresses we understand that all we have is our trust of the kingdom of God, and that we are answerable to Him for how we manage 100% of these kingdom assets. In the new covenant the tithe is an expression of commitment and faithfulness to the Lord. Whether Old or New Testament, God rewards expressions of faithfulness!

Then the next question to be answered is this. Where did she lose her tithe? If she can find it, the blessing of God can be restored to her. I suppose, when she retraced her steps, she realized the tenth coin was lost in her house. Now, I have heard people say they can’t afford to tithe; that is to make a commitment to regular consistent giving to the kingdom of God through the local church. Truth be told, I will be the first to admit, we have made just about every financial mistake in the book, but we have always made a concerted effort to maintain the tithe as an expression of our faith toward God.

When I started to think about losing the tithe in the house, the thought occurred to me how wasteful the American Christian is. We leave the lights on, waste gas, through food away, over eating, over spending, pay exorbitant interest rates on credit cards. Not to mention that we are gluttons for entertainment and high tech gadgets. Ask yourself, “Could I find the tithe, if I removed the movie channels from my cable subscription, or cut the cable all together? Could I find the tithe, if I planned my meals and ate out less? Do I need to keep the gym membership, if I don’t go? Etc.” We need to get back on a reasonable household budget until we find the tithe again. Try paying your tenth first, than live on the rest. And don’t forget to save for your financial future.

When the woman in the parable found the tithe, she had a party! There will surely be a party in the house of God when 100% of the believers give 100% of the tithe! The local church is struggling today with only 20-30% of the membership faithfully contributing. Think of what we can accomplish for the kingdom of God when all believers bring the entire tithe into the “storehouse”. When we prove ourselves to be faithful with the little that we have now, God will be able to trust us with more. Would you count it an honor to garner our Lords trust?

Compressed Time Frames

2009-04-07T16:06:00.000-07:00

I think I remember someone saying, “We are living in a period of compressed time frames.” I shared with our Business Men’s Fellowship today that it feels like we are running to catch up to jump onto a moving train that’s picking up speed. I don’t know if it’s true for the rest of the world, but for the kingdom of God the times and the seasons are gaining momentum. Our labor in the Lord is also becoming more concentrated, and we are experiencing greater result for the effort.

I’m reminded of the parable of the farmer in Matthew 20, who hired laborers for the vineyard. He went to the marketplace in the early morning, late morning, noon, early afternoon, then finally late afternoon, always finding able bodied workers for the field of harvest, standing around, unemployed in the square.

The parable doesn’t say harvest, but I assume it from Jesus comment in John 4:35, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Since the time of Jesus, the field of the earth has been ripe for the picking.

The farmer paid each man as agreed. (That’s another lesson.) But I asked the Lord once, “Why the urgency? What was the big hurry?” All I could imagine were billows of dark clouds looming over the horizon. An ominous storm was brewing, and the farmer knew the harvest had to come in that day, for by tomorrow whatever was left in the field would summarily be destroyed by the oncoming weather front. It was no longer a matter of skill, or resources, or money. This was a last days ingathering or nothing!

Jesus lived life with this sense of urgency, and expressed it when he said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). This life is our one shot, and this may be the last generation to have the opportunity to labor in the harvest field while it is yet day. “…Behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation” (II Cor.6:2).

May this be our prayer while we are working. Yes, working and praying at the same time. “The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Mat 9:37-38).

Two Kinds of Storms

2009-04-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, "Peace be still." Those words in the midst of that tempestuous moment must have calmed more than the wind and the waves. Albert Barnes puts in this way, "There is something exceedingly authoritative and majestic in this command of our Lord. Standing amidst the howling tempest, on the heaving sea, and in the darkness of the night, by his own power he stills the waves, and bids the storm subside. None but the God of the storms and the billows could awe, by a word, the troubled elements, and send a universal peace and stillness among the winds and waves. He must, therefore, be Divine." Words can have their meanings and definitions, but when the "Word made Flesh" speaks with such commanding authority, all of the kingdom must bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth. Light and darkness stand at attention. Even so must the very fear and anxiety within us bow to the calming command of the One who set the very stars in their places, and ordered the sun to rule the day, and the darkness to rule the night. In one moment Peter and the other disciple are questioning if the Master even cares for their well being as the stormy sea batters the little boat and slaps them coldly in the face. In the next moment another kind of chill shuddered their souls as their sea of doubt turns to humble tranquil surrender in the wake of the absolute Lordship of Christ...:

People's New Testament Commentary adds, "Such an astounding display of power, the control of the storm in which men are as helpless as infants, filled them with awe. What manner of being could he be whom storm, wind, and sea obeyed? They had not yet learned that the word which the sea obeyed was the word in obedience to which the world itself was made." Is it any wonder that these same fear filled disciple burst out of that upper room on that great day of Pentecost as the men who "turned the world upside down?" This same Jesus, who arrested the wind and the waves on that day, is the very same Spirit of Christ who released the rushing mighty wind that filled the place where they were sitting, with cloven tongues of fire that consumed their timidity and turned them into the Apostles of the New Covenant!

In our past, we have lived in the bondages of fear, anxiety, timidity and doubt. We have now been empowered by the same Holy Spirit who enables us to break free from the controlling influences of our past, and go forth, living the rest of our lives in power and love and a sound mind of the Spirit of peace! Jesus in the Prince of peace! Jesus is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords! He is Lord of all, and He is Lord of the storms of my life!

Read my book, "IDENTIFYING GOD". To order a copy, or for more information contact me at edhan362@yahoo.com

Painful Parenting

2009-04-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

Did our parents lovingly discipline us? I got a spanking and a hug from my father. "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Heb. 12:5-6). The Almighty Shaddai, (which is one of the seven proper names for God), lovingly disciplines His children.
In my mind punishment is different than discipline. Punishment is to impose a penalty for our sins. We are incapable of repaying the full price for the cost of our sin, so Christ took the penalty for sin upon Himself. The price has been paid in full on the cross for all who believe. Though the penalty is removed, God still lovingly disciplines us as His children. Discipline is training that corrects, molds, or perfects. Even this, at times, can be a painful but necessary growing process in our lives.

I had to take one of my daughters to the doctor to get her immunization shots when she was small. When she saw the needle on the syringe she panicked and became hysterical. Neither the nurse nor the doctor could hold her steady. I had to take her in my arms and hold her still, and tell her it was going to be alright. She couldn't clearly articulate her feelings, but her eyes said it all. "Daddy, why are you letting them hurt me like this?" At her young tender age, do you think that she could understand the vaccine from the needle was going to protect her from a disease that could kill her? This was beyond her comprehension, but I had a responsibility to protect her from a worse fate. Therefore, I allowed her to be hurt by the doctor in order to save her from something worse.

Was that love? That was the kind of love that parents have for their children. "See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god (elohiym) with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand" (Deu. 32:39). There are times when we need to realize Almighty (Shaddai), in His power to destroy, is trying to work something out in us. This may seem like a hardship at times, but in the end we will see the wound and the healing were both expressions of His love.

(Taken from my book, "IDENTIFYING GOD". To order a copy, or for more information contact me at edhan362@yahoo.com)

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love

2009-03-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

(Taken from my book, "IDENTIFYING GOD". To order a copy, or for more information contact me at edhan362@yahoo.com) C.S. Lewis in his book The Four Loves, called "agape" an unconditional love not dependent on any lovable qualities that one possessed. This amounts to caring for others regardless of the circumstances. Lewis went on to say that "agape" was the greatest of all loves. "Agape" then is God's love acting on our nature and flowing from Him, through us by the Holy Spirit. "Agape" is seldom used outside of the New Testament in the ancient Greek language. But in the New Testament, it is the primary word for love.Jesus said in John 13:35, "By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love (agape) one to another." The love (agape) that Jesus taught and lived went even deeper than that. He said ?
"Love (agape) your neighbor." (Mat. 5:43)
"Love (agape) your enemy." (Mat. 5:44)
"Love (agape) the Lord thy God." (Mat. 22:37)
"Love (agape) one another." (Joh. 13:34)
"Love (agape) Me (Jesus)." (Joh. 14:15)

Doesn't that cover just about everybody? We, in the Spirit of Christ, are commanded by Jesus to love (agape) everyone, even our enemies. "? Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Mat. 5:44). Now that's a tall order. All that we can say is, "Holy Spirit, help us to love with God's love!"We see this selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love (agape) in Jesus when He said, "Greater love (agape) hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (Joh. 15:13). Paul took this statement a step further by saying, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love (agape) toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:7-8). This is the sacrificial love (agape) of Jesus toward us. Even when we were enemies of God, Jesus died to save us, deliver us and heal us!

I grew up with a grandmother who understood and lived unconditional love (agape) before my eyes. But she didn't start out that way. She was living in Indiana, when she answered the call to go and cook at a rescue mission in California. She responded dutifully by selling all that she had to make the trip and get started. When she got off the plane, my father (who was 15 at the time, and had gone before her)said, "Momma, you're going to have to change your ways. You're too proud." This bothered her as she thought of all she had given up to answer God's call.On the drive from the airport to the mission she had imagined serving in one of the beautiful Spanish missions of California. Then they pulled up in front of the rescue mission.The place that she saw looked like an old Indiana barn that needed painting. None the less, they showed her to her room, and let her know that services would begin at 6 p.m.Grandmother got all dressed up like "Kelsey's pet horse" and went down to the chapel for the evening service. She took a front row seat. A little before six o'clock they opened the doors. Homeless men came pouring in the door from the street to sit through the "ear beating" (that's what they called the sermon), before they could get some hot food. About 200 men crowded into a room that sat 150. They smelled of stale wine and perspiration. Grandmother prayed, "Surely God, you have made your first mistake. You would not want me in a place like this."At testimony time in the service my father stood and shared, "I thought skid row was a place, geographically speaking. But I found out that it was really a condition of the heart. I found skid row in my 15 year-old heart, and I knew I needed Jesus."When the service was over, grandmother went back to here room and knelt down beside an old broken down davenport, and surrendered her will to Jesus. She said to God, "If you want me to stay here you are going to have to give me your love, because I don't have what it takes."

God agreed by giving her some immediate instructions. Her assignment was to stand at that door before the evening service and shake the hand of every man that attended. That is how she earned the reputation as "Mom of Skid Row." Her expressions of affection, good will and benevolence followed her ministry for over 25 years, until she went home to be with the Lord.The Holy Spirit wants to grow a "I Corinthians 13" kind of love (agape) in all of us.(Taken from my book, "IDENTIFYING GOD". To order a copy, or for more information contact me at edhan362@yahoo.com)
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"Identifying God" - the book

2009-03-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

Check out my book "Identifying God" at www.edhan-idgod.vpweb.com

We invite you to read our book, which is a Bible Study in the
character, nature and authority of God!

Do you know who God is?
You may think you know, but you have no idea.
God is not who you think He is.
God is not who others say He is.
God is who He said He is.

The book “IDENTIFYING GOD” offers a biblical definition of the One True Deity. This Scriptural portrait of the character of God can be a tremendous help for new believers looking to foundationalize their faith. It can also be beneficial for established believers by filling in some of the gaps in their personal faith.

Through this study you will discover …
• The nature of God from the meanings of His biblical names.
• Why the name of Jesus has authority over every name.
• The ministry of God’s Holy Spirit, who works within you.

In a world that is faced with a serious “identity crisis,” this book can help to settle much of your confusion by aligning your faith with “the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.”

Here's what people are saying about author
Ed Han and the book "IDENTIFYING GOD"...

"Ed Han is a quality and detailed Bible teacher. His teachings are both practical and theologically deep at the same time. In his book IDENTIFYING GOD, Ed uses these strengths to address a foundational understanding of God. His insights will be helpful to a wide variety of people. Most importantly, Ed lives a real sincere, down to earth Christian life. His life reflects his teachings and therefore there is real life in his teachings."
Tim Kurtz, Pastor
Fusion Christian Fellowship
Yuba City, CA

"I received your book IDENTIFYING GOD. I thank God, who gave you the prophetic message concerning the writing of this book. I must confess, it is helpful and I was inspired as I read it. Your illustrations gave me deeper understanding of the topics being discussed. This book is very good and you are an excellent teacher. Brother Ed, God richly blesses you. In fact your explanations made me read with excitement. I would like you to teach this topic here in Ghana in my ministry. I believe God is using you to talk to Africa . It is as if you are an African and know the problems here. God is using your book for spiritual break through! Hallelujah! Our God is wonderful. I am very happy about your teaching and I love it.Thank you for your teaching. You make it very simple to understand. You are a great teacher of the Word."
Joseph Ntsiabah
Pastor in Ghana
West Africa