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Live holy, preach Jesus!

Captain's thoughts on Swine Flu H1N1 Update

To Salvation Army Soldiers, followers of Jesus, friends, and family,

A recent report on swine flu says the following...
SEE WHY I MENTION IT BELOW...

Some Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:

• Deaths: 159, all in Mexico, seven confirmed as swine flu and rest suspected.
• Sickened: 2,498 suspected and 19 confirmed in Mexico; 66 confirmed in U.S.; 13 confirmed in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland; 14 confirmed in New Zealand; two confirmed in Spain; and two confirmed in Israel.
• Confirmed U.S. cases, by state: 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Indiana and Ohio, according to CDC and states.
• Public health emergency declared and roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states.
• Cuba bans flights to and from Mexico; Argentina suspends flights from Mexico; U.S., European Union, other countries discourage nonessential travel there. Arriving travelers questioned at Mexico's U.S. border and world airports. Cruise lines avoid Mexico ports.
• Mexico suspends all schools until May 6. In U.S., some schools closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina, Connecticut and Ohio.
• In Mexico City, surgical masks given to the public, venues closed and public events canceled. President assumed new powers to isolate infected people. World Bank loaning Mexico more than $200 million.
• World Health Organization (WHO) alert at Phase 4 of 6, meaning disease spreads easily but isn't pandemic.

Scary? All over the news? Why I mention it...

If you are looking for a way to share your faith today...

1. Everyone is talking about "swine flu". Just like swine flu, sin is a disease that knows no boarders, can be carried by anyone, can be deadly, and the best defense is to continually wash yourself clean (with the forgiveness of Jesus).

2. If there is a cure, or treatment to make someone less susceptible to a disease, wouldn't you want to get it. There is a cure for the destructive consequences of sin, it is to repent and turn from sin (quit playing with swine like activities), ask God's forgiveness, and then accept His power to live above sinning. We won't ever be perfect - true, but we can live a life without any know intentional sin against our Lord. (see Titus 2:11-14 as just one example of many).

3. If you need a conversation starter or a way to transition into a spiritual conversation - after "so what do you think about all this swine flu stuff", or "have you heard about all the illness and death this 1 disease is causing", simply ask one of the following...

• "It's amazing to think we can't even guarantee we will wake up tomorrow"
• "what do you think happens when you die"
• "what do you think happens when someone leaves this world"
• "whether it's swine flu or not everyone (100% - 10 out of 10 people) will die someday and eternity is a really long time"
• "we will be dead a lot longer than we are alive on this planet make sure you have the right answer"

All of these are ways to get people thinking about eternity, and then we can share our hope that for all who call on the name of Jesus (trust in Him alone for our salvation), who repent and turn from their sins, and agree to live for God on His terms, we have the hope of avoiding hell and finding heaven for eternity. We also find God's Holy Spirit to give us strength, comfort, and peace in the middle of every "scare" of life.

Share your faith in Jesus today - tell your salvation story - and tell how you repented and accepted Jesus so they could do it too.

100% of everyone you meet today will die and face eternal death, but Jesus has provided a cure for all mankind. Let's win the world for Jesus, share your faith, and plant a seed, God can make it grow.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

A good witnessing day

Philemon 1:6 says... I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

There are some gifts, blessings, and opportunities for empowerment that will only come as we fully obey the Lord.

God has no need to equip you for a task you are unwilling to perform, but settle in your heart and mind you will witness for Him, and He will supply you abundantly more than all you need for the task.

If we follow Jesus He says He will make us fishers of men, so don't just be seen swimming with them in casual conversation, actually cast out a line and mention Jesus.

Today was a good day, unfortunately the sharing of my faith is often quite sorry - but God forgives and then empowers us to press on.

Here's the report of the day...

1. I had the opportunity to make a phone call to someone the Lord has had on my heart. I simply told them I had a question for them, but now that I've done it, there will be an opportunity to talk.

2. I also had opportunity to talk and pray with someone at the thrift store who recently lost a loved one. I simply asked, "what do you think happens after this life", after their answer I was able to affirm the hope we have in Jesus.

3. I spoke with someone who is battling cancer - not having much time to talk I simply said that knowing that we will all leave this world someday, I just want to make sure that everyone I know has put their hope in Jesus so that we can be reunited with Him someday.

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

You'll never fully know how great God is, until you step out in faith and see Him move on your behalf, and who knows maybe lead someone to the Savior today.

Shoot back a comment and let me know how your witnessing is going.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

How's your persecution?

Isn't that a great question to ask - "How's your persecution".

2 Timothy 3:12 says - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

John 15;18-20 Jesus said... "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

1 peter 4:12-14, 16, 19 tells us... Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ... 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ...19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

I believe it was John Wesley that said, "when you preach the gospel people will get mad or converted".

Let's preach the whole gospel and let God do the rest.

If we suffer or are insulted for Christ - the Spirit and glory of God rests on us.

We can't loose - Either we win souls to Jesus, we plant some seeds, or we are persecuted because we have boldly proclaimed the saving gospel of Jesus (and find God's blessing and empowerment through the persecution). Sounds like a win, win, win to me.

How's your persecution?

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Bryan Farrow's memorial service 4,25,09

This is an audio file of Bryan Farrow's memorial service in Homer Alaska.

The Captain's remarks are recorded, but the audio of words of remembrance, the song "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me, and the honor guard's reading we too poor to post.

You can hear the rifle volley and taps at the end of the service.

You can play the service from this "play arrow" or look up this service by title on the sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page and download it to your computer as a permanent record.

Life is short, make sure you are right with God through faith in Jesus Christ today.

May God bless Bryan's freinds, familiy, and loved ones.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Sunday's sermon - No crossing over

To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.

Sorry, no sermon notes this week, but enjoy the audio file.

For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.

You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer

God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!

True worship includes obedience.

Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus.

Yesterday we held a memorial for a past corps (church) member. As always I don't know who makes it into heaven or not, anyone can call out and put their complete trust in Jesus alone for their salvation at any time, and many who call Jesus Lord will hear God say I never knew you, so I will never know who is in heaven - that is completely up to God Himself.

You might ask... What does this have to do with me, worship, or obedience?

Just remember today as you spend time in worship of your Lord...
Make sure He gets more than just music although it's right to praise Him in song...
Make sure He gets more than just words from your lips although it's right to praise His Name and give witness and testimony to who He is and everything He has done in your life...
Let's make sure He gets obedience to His command to go into all the world and preach His gospel that there is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved.

Let's move beyond "Sunday morning worship" although it's right to give Him, and let's obey His call to spread the news, so here it is...
Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven by His death and resurrection.
You must trust in Jesus alone for your salvation.
You must turn from your sin and sinning out of obedience to Him.

True worship includes obedience to share your faith. We're not responsible for the results, but we have to do our part to take the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth.

Live holy, preach Jesus!