This quote from General Paul A. Rader....
"Is my approach to holiness total enough? Is our holiness too therapeutic in its emphasis? There are dangers of beginning with our human problems instead of God's purpose. Is my approach to holiness sometimes too cosmetic? Holiness deals with the essential inner orientation of the personality. The self dies hard. The cross is painful and total. I must confess that I have sometimes had cause to wonder if the holiness I profess and proclaim has made me tender enough. The truth is that we live in an age that is seductively desensitising us to evil. What once might have appalled and embarrassed us, perhaps even angered us, now only makes us sad. What does it take to make us cry out in indignation? What miscarriages of justice, what indifference to standards of integrity, what crass immorality would move us to tears and stir us to action? How much do I care about purity, justice, and integrity? Finally, is my holiness telling enough? Our age cries out for men and women of God whose lives stand in stark contrast to the darkness that surrounds us.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Generalisations - Quote from "Officer Magazine"
This first quote from our founder General William Booth...
"It is a charge brought against us by some that we make a hobby of the subject of holiness - that like Paganini with his violin, we are always fiddling on one string. If it were so, I suppose he would have replied, or someone like him, that he was able to bring more music out of his one string than his rivals could bring out of their four. And if it is true that are too frequently engaged on this one topic, I think there are a good many who can bear witness that there has been brought out of it - some music wonderfully enthralling, which music has been make a wonderful blessing to them, and to many who are round about them. But I take exception to the correctness of this charge. I say, varying the figure, we re running our 'Hallelujah Express' to Heaven not on one line, but on three. The first line of these rails we call pardon, and I am sure we very often talk about that. The second we term purity - a clean heart, with a clean life. The third term is sacrifice."
Tell someone of about pardon, purity, and sacrificial living today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
"It is a charge brought against us by some that we make a hobby of the subject of holiness - that like Paganini with his violin, we are always fiddling on one string. If it were so, I suppose he would have replied, or someone like him, that he was able to bring more music out of his one string than his rivals could bring out of their four. And if it is true that are too frequently engaged on this one topic, I think there are a good many who can bear witness that there has been brought out of it - some music wonderfully enthralling, which music has been make a wonderful blessing to them, and to many who are round about them. But I take exception to the correctness of this charge. I say, varying the figure, we re running our 'Hallelujah Express' to Heaven not on one line, but on three. The first line of these rails we call pardon, and I am sure we very often talk about that. The second we term purity - a clean heart, with a clean life. The third term is sacrifice."
Tell someone of about pardon, purity, and sacrificial living today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tortured for Christ
Hello Soldiers, freinds, and followers of Jesus,
Just a quick comment that I recently finished reading the book "Torutured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand (the founder of the Voice of th eMartyrs). I was a different kind of read, but it was easy to read, kept my attention, and most importantly reminded me of my responsibility to pray and support the persecuted church, as well as my need to use my current liberties to proclaim with boldness the full gospel message of Jesus Christ.
This is a must read for all christians living in the west.
PS. You can request a free copy at this web addresss...
https://etools.ncol.com/a/tfc/bg_vomtfc_cw-tfc-flash-email_309.html
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick comment that I recently finished reading the book "Torutured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand (the founder of the Voice of th eMartyrs). I was a different kind of read, but it was easy to read, kept my attention, and most importantly reminded me of my responsibility to pray and support the persecuted church, as well as my need to use my current liberties to proclaim with boldness the full gospel message of Jesus Christ.
This is a must read for all christians living in the west.
PS. You can request a free copy at this web addresss...
https://etools.ncol.com/a/tfc/bg_vomtfc_cw-tfc-flash-email_309.html
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A word of encouragement
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just a quick reminder to have you encourage someone today. This past Sunday right after our holiness meeting we had someone (not normally part of our Church services) stand up with a word immidiately following our closing prayer. He basically said he appreciated that the Word of God was taught and spoken at the corps, and that at many other places he just hears "fluff" and a shying away from the whole gospel. Needless to say his word of encouragement was for me that day. God is good.
Hebrews 3:13-14 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Why not give a word of encouragement to someone you know today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick reminder to have you encourage someone today. This past Sunday right after our holiness meeting we had someone (not normally part of our Church services) stand up with a word immidiately following our closing prayer. He basically said he appreciated that the Word of God was taught and spoken at the corps, and that at many other places he just hears "fluff" and a shying away from the whole gospel. Needless to say his word of encouragement was for me that day. God is good.
Hebrews 3:13-14 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Why not give a word of encouragement to someone you know today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Come near to God, James 4
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Quick testimony / gospel shot.
Just bragging on God's work in a corps member... I had a corps member say the "light came on" that salvation is so much more than something that happens the day you die, but that it is something that start right now.
We had a chance to say that in The Salvation Army we might call that "Full-Salvation", not just saved from hell to heaven on the day you die (although praise God that is absolutely true), but that Jesus wants to save us from sin, sinful, and hellish living now, for a life of holiness and heaven-like living NOW.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
We had a chance to say that in The Salvation Army we might call that "Full-Salvation", not just saved from hell to heaven on the day you die (although praise God that is absolutely true), but that Jesus wants to save us from sin, sinful, and hellish living now, for a life of holiness and heaven-like living NOW.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Onward Christian Soldiers... Annual Report
The Salvation Army Annual Report: Commissioner Israel Gaither
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, October 16, 2009
St. Augustine's words about prayer.
St. Augustine, the early church father and theologian, described prayer as like a man in a hapless boat who throws a rope at a rock. The rock provides the needed security and stability and life for the helpless man. When the rock is lassoed it’s not the man pulling the rock to the boat (though it may appear that way); it is the pulling of the boat to the rock. Jesus is the rock, and we throw the rope through prayer.
Have you spent time in prayer today? Honest, real, warfare, intentional, time searching the heart of God, time spent in quietness to hear the voice of God... PRAYER?
Take some time - right this second to pray - then devote some real time to pray intentionally and uninterrupted today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Have you spent time in prayer today? Honest, real, warfare, intentional, time searching the heart of God, time spent in quietness to hear the voice of God... PRAYER?
Take some time - right this second to pray - then devote some real time to pray intentionally and uninterrupted today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Just in need of more prayer. KNEE DRILL!
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
This is a call for additional Knee Drills.
Many prayer requests at the corps right now, so just asking everyone to "amp" up the prayers.
Ephesians 6:11-13... 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
This is a call for additional Knee Drills.
Many prayer requests at the corps right now, so just asking everyone to "amp" up the prayers.
Ephesians 6:11-13... 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
The movie 2012 (part 2)
This trailer for the movie "2012" says... How would the governments of the planet prepare 6 million people for the end of the world…? Answer…. “they wouldn’t” … "find out the truth"
I agree (not that the world will end in 2012) but it will end as we now know it eventually, and whether you are around to see the end of the world or not, 10 out of 10 - 100% of us will all die someday and have to face a holy God on judgment day. The trailer is right, the government won't help you, the only thing that will matter will be "the truth".
John 14:6 records the words of Jesus saying... Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
It's not what the government says that will matter, it's not even "what you believe", what will matter is "do you believe the truth" or not. It doesn't matter if you believe you can fly - if you jump off the empire state building without a means of safely getting to the ground, you will still die with your wrong beliefs. The "trailer" is right (not about the date) but that you need to find the truth found only in a personal relationship with Jesus. Without the cleansing blood of Jesus forgiving you, made possible by your accepting Him by faith, with repentance, your sins will wash you away.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I agree (not that the world will end in 2012) but it will end as we now know it eventually, and whether you are around to see the end of the world or not, 10 out of 10 - 100% of us will all die someday and have to face a holy God on judgment day. The trailer is right, the government won't help you, the only thing that will matter will be "the truth".
John 14:6 records the words of Jesus saying... Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
It's not what the government says that will matter, it's not even "what you believe", what will matter is "do you believe the truth" or not. It doesn't matter if you believe you can fly - if you jump off the empire state building without a means of safely getting to the ground, you will still die with your wrong beliefs. The "trailer" is right (not about the date) but that you need to find the truth found only in a personal relationship with Jesus. Without the cleansing blood of Jesus forgiving you, made possible by your accepting Him by faith, with repentance, your sins will wash you away.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The movie - "2012" (about the end of the world)
The "sponsored add" next to my "home page" on Facebook reads this...
“2012” In Theaters 11/13 Get ready for the biggest event in history – the end of time. How will you survive?...
Next they totally skip your answer and ask a survey "What do you do now if 2012 is the end? Spend time with family, Max out my credit cards, Pursue my crush?...
If you've only got 2 years left before the end of the world, ask yourself their 1st question, how will you survive? To be saved for heaven and avoid hell we must put our faith in Jesus as evidenced through repentance.
Give up your life to live for Jesus and He will take care of where you spend your eternity. If you only have 20 years, or 2 years, or 2 days (no one is promised tomorrow)... get right with Jesus, live holy for Him, and tell someone about Him today... they aren't promised tomorrow either.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
“2012” In Theaters 11/13 Get ready for the biggest event in history – the end of time. How will you survive?...
Next they totally skip your answer and ask a survey "What do you do now if 2012 is the end? Spend time with family, Max out my credit cards, Pursue my crush?...
If you've only got 2 years left before the end of the world, ask yourself their 1st question, how will you survive? To be saved for heaven and avoid hell we must put our faith in Jesus as evidenced through repentance.
Give up your life to live for Jesus and He will take care of where you spend your eternity. If you only have 20 years, or 2 years, or 2 days (no one is promised tomorrow)... get right with Jesus, live holy for Him, and tell someone about Him today... they aren't promised tomorrow either.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Are you washed? Keeping your repentance up to date.
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Scripture alone today... Psalm 51
Just getting back from Officer's Councils, so no extra posts yet, until I'm back on track here is some profound scripture from Psalm 51. Meditate on it by reading it slowly several times over, first asking the Lord to speak to you through it. Consider what it is to need forgiveness, to confess and repent, and find forgiveness through the shed blood of our resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ. Use this Psalm as an outline for your praying and keeping your repentace up to date today.
Remember as you read... Sin is falling short of God's perfection. Iniquity is our depravity that is always inclined to sin, and the resulting guiltiness that leaves us in. Transgression is the intentional breaking of God's law, it is rebellion when we do what we know God has said not to, and not doing what we know God has said to do.
Psalm 51 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Remember as you read... Sin is falling short of God's perfection. Iniquity is our depravity that is always inclined to sin, and the resulting guiltiness that leaves us in. Transgression is the intentional breaking of God's law, it is rebellion when we do what we know God has said not to, and not doing what we know God has said to do.
Psalm 51 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Today just something fun
This is just a funny video sent to me by Rob Reardon.
Sally Back - Parody of Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake
Source: www.youtube.com
This is a Salvation Army (Sally Ann) parody of the popular song by Justin Timberlake Featuring Timbaland - "SexyBack". I created this video for the Salvation Army National School of Music at Jackson's Point this summer. ...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sally Back - Parody of Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake
Source: www.youtube.com
This is a Salvation Army (Sally Ann) parody of the popular song by Justin Timberlake Featuring Timbaland - "SexyBack". I created this video for the Salvation Army National School of Music at Jackson's Point this summer. ...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Gone to Officer's Councils
Hello Soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just an update that both Michelle and I will be away at officer's councils today through Friday. We will resume our regular programs next week (including Commodities feeding) so we look forward to our time together next week, as well as thank you in advance for your willingness to help cover things while we are gone.
Keep all of us in your prayers as we get together with all the officers of the State up in Anchorage. Pray for traveling mercies, refreshment, productivity, and the Fire of the Holy Spirit to fall afresh!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just an update that both Michelle and I will be away at officer's councils today through Friday. We will resume our regular programs next week (including Commodities feeding) so we look forward to our time together next week, as well as thank you in advance for your willingness to help cover things while we are gone.
Keep all of us in your prayers as we get together with all the officers of the State up in Anchorage. Pray for traveling mercies, refreshment, productivity, and the Fire of the Holy Spirit to fall afresh!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday's Sermon - The Saints in Caesar's House (Nero)
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For an outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday - Now go lead church?
R.G. Le Tourneau, a wealthy businessman, was a great lay witness for our Lord. This was his challenge to laymen (non-clergy):
"My challenge to laymen is [this]: when Christ said, ’Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel,’ He did not mean only preachers but everyone who believed on Him as the Lord of Glory. The division between the clergy and the laity is a division of our own making...[it] was not instituted by Christ, nor was it evidenced in the early Church. They believed the word ’Go’ meant every man, and they obeyed the Lord’s command. My challenge to you is for a return to this first century...Christianity where every believer is a witness to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:9 says... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Whether you made it to church or not today - make sure, if you are a child of God, you BE God's representative and messenger to the the World outside of "the church". Be God's ambassador and go take the gospel message to someone who needs it today.
Live Holy, preach Jesus!
"My challenge to laymen is [this]: when Christ said, ’Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel,’ He did not mean only preachers but everyone who believed on Him as the Lord of Glory. The division between the clergy and the laity is a division of our own making...[it] was not instituted by Christ, nor was it evidenced in the early Church. They believed the word ’Go’ meant every man, and they obeyed the Lord’s command. My challenge to you is for a return to this first century...Christianity where every believer is a witness to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:9 says... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Whether you made it to church or not today - make sure, if you are a child of God, you BE God's representative and messenger to the the World outside of "the church". Be God's ambassador and go take the gospel message to someone who needs it today.
Live Holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Do you care? Video by Mark Cahill
This is one of two video's we watched this past Wednesday Night. For more information on Mark Cahill you can search Youtube or go to his website at
http://www.markcahill.org
Live holy, preach Jesus!
http://www.markcahill.org
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Meditating on Philippians 4
Paul ends his letter to the church located in the Roman colony of Philippi this way...
Philippians 4:22 reads... 22 “All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.”
What an amazing thought that while Paul was under arrest in Rome, most likely under the Ceasar - Nero, people were coming to Christ right in Nero's own palace.
How hard would it be to live for Christ under Nero's roof???
Alexander Maclaren said about this passage. “Our duty is to stand at our post however difficult our surroundings and unfriendly our company, and if we are sure that He has set us there, we may be sure that He is with us there, and that there we can live the life and witness to His name”
From Maclaren’s expositions of the Holy Scriptures Volume 15 Pg 80
Where must you stand for Christ today? No matter how difficult - God's grace is sufficient - You are His ambassador!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Philippians 4:22 reads... 22 “All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.”
What an amazing thought that while Paul was under arrest in Rome, most likely under the Ceasar - Nero, people were coming to Christ right in Nero's own palace.
How hard would it be to live for Christ under Nero's roof???
Alexander Maclaren said about this passage. “Our duty is to stand at our post however difficult our surroundings and unfriendly our company, and if we are sure that He has set us there, we may be sure that He is with us there, and that there we can live the life and witness to His name”
From Maclaren’s expositions of the Holy Scriptures Volume 15 Pg 80
Where must you stand for Christ today? No matter how difficult - God's grace is sufficient - You are His ambassador!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A report on Tonights Bible Study
Hello Salvation Army Soldiers, saints, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just wanted to make a quick report on tonight's bible study time. We finished up our "personal evangelism study" mainly from Mark Cahill's book "one thing you can't do in heaven". We ended by watching two of his video teachings. It was quite a moving night for most of us (the spirit really moved). For the sake of time I will say we discussed my prayer request for the church to be praying because I feel assured we are under a specific spiritual attack (there was confirmation by many). We also had a young man ask for prayer because he will be stepping out in faith to make steps to take the gospel message into his college and his lecture rooms in part with some upcoming assignments. He also loaded up with some "gospel of John / tracts" to take with him. PLEASE PRAY for this young man and the others of our corps that are intentionally taking steps to verbally share their faith in Jesus Christ. All in all I'm just kind of coming off a spiritual high from feeling the Lord moving.
Just wanted to give an Internet shout of praise that God is not only working, but apparently preparing us for "even greater things".
May God alone be glorified!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just wanted to make a quick report on tonight's bible study time. We finished up our "personal evangelism study" mainly from Mark Cahill's book "one thing you can't do in heaven". We ended by watching two of his video teachings. It was quite a moving night for most of us (the spirit really moved). For the sake of time I will say we discussed my prayer request for the church to be praying because I feel assured we are under a specific spiritual attack (there was confirmation by many). We also had a young man ask for prayer because he will be stepping out in faith to make steps to take the gospel message into his college and his lecture rooms in part with some upcoming assignments. He also loaded up with some "gospel of John / tracts" to take with him. PLEASE PRAY for this young man and the others of our corps that are intentionally taking steps to verbally share their faith in Jesus Christ. All in all I'm just kind of coming off a spiritual high from feeling the Lord moving.
Just wanted to give an Internet shout of praise that God is not only working, but apparently preparing us for "even greater things".
May God alone be glorified!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Asking for extra prayer
Hello Soldiers and fellow followers of Jesus,
I just want to shoot out this special request for extra prayer right away. The last several days have been odd and I know it involves some spiritual attack on our homer and our corps. As you are able, please carry our corps, it's members, and my home, and our work here before God's throne for a special covering and anointing. Today I even called my family together for an "emergency Knee Drill" on our knees in prayer together. I don't know what all is happening, but I will agree with a saint who suggested that perhaps we are on the verge of taking new ground for God's Kingdom. Lord may it be so. No matter what, we simply ask for extra prayers specifically for God's will and work in Homer, and against any spiritual attacks. We also pray that every soldier (both here and around God's glorious world) will preach the saving truth of Jesus. Thank you in advance, our prayers are with you as well.
Ephesians 6... 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I just want to shoot out this special request for extra prayer right away. The last several days have been odd and I know it involves some spiritual attack on our homer and our corps. As you are able, please carry our corps, it's members, and my home, and our work here before God's throne for a special covering and anointing. Today I even called my family together for an "emergency Knee Drill" on our knees in prayer together. I don't know what all is happening, but I will agree with a saint who suggested that perhaps we are on the verge of taking new ground for God's Kingdom. Lord may it be so. No matter what, we simply ask for extra prayers specifically for God's will and work in Homer, and against any spiritual attacks. We also pray that every soldier (both here and around God's glorious world) will preach the saving truth of Jesus. Thank you in advance, our prayers are with you as well.
Ephesians 6... 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - The secret to learning contentment
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
True worship includes obedience...
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus.
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 live holy and share the good news of Jesus. 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!
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 live holy and share the good news of Jesus. 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!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Dogs, Crumbs, and a Faith to Emulate (Jeff Noblit)
Check out this message, I know it will require a little time, but the message is well worth it.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Today, just quote from the Founder - William Booth
Salvationists, soldiers, and officers... listen to this evangelism plan of our Founder General William Booth...
The leader of the Salvation Army wished he could suspend each one of his Salvation Army officers over hell for 24 hours.
He said, "If they could see the flames and smell the smoke and feel the heat and hear the cries of the damned, they would go out to preach what they had seen and heard. They would then preach like dying men to dying people."
Share the gospel with someone today - eternity is at stake.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
The leader of the Salvation Army wished he could suspend each one of his Salvation Army officers over hell for 24 hours.
He said, "If they could see the flames and smell the smoke and feel the heat and hear the cries of the damned, they would go out to preach what they had seen and heard. They would then preach like dying men to dying people."
Share the gospel with someone today - eternity is at stake.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Have you read your bible today?
How are your daily rations?
If you had to describe how you have gotten into God's Word in the past 7 days would you say you... Feasted on God's Word, ate some, snacked occasionally, or starved?
Spend time in God's Holy Word today, open it expecting God to pour out something new and relevant, let God speak to you, and read prepared to act on anything and everything you read and He leads you to do.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12-13 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
James 1:22-25 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Feast on His Word today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Just a reminder to praise the Lord.
Psalm 100 A psalm. For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Have you praised God enough today?
Have you declared His praises of what He's done in your life to the world like a chosen priest of God?
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Hoonah Youth Councils
Just a quick update to say that all the Homer delagates to Hoonah Youth Councils made it home safe and sound. God was good to let the weather be good enough to catch the boat from Hoonah to Juneau, then the planes were good to fly in the weather, and the 4 hour drive home was safe all the way home.
The weekend was great. We had a chance to go door to door for a food drive and also ask for prayer requests, and of course had the opportunity to pray with many families right then. It was a good expereince for the young people.
The messages were focussed primariliy on the need to stay in the Word of God and fully connected to the body of Christ for support and accountability.
The best part of the weekend for me... was watching one of our young people step forward to acknowledge a call on her life, and then on the way home, this young person witnessed to the young woman next to her all the way back to Anchorage. I was sitting right behind her and got to hear her do a fantastic job!
Praise God for young people unashamed to tell the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
The weekend was great. We had a chance to go door to door for a food drive and also ask for prayer requests, and of course had the opportunity to pray with many families right then. It was a good expereince for the young people.
The messages were focussed primariliy on the need to stay in the Word of God and fully connected to the body of Christ for support and accountability.
The best part of the weekend for me... was watching one of our young people step forward to acknowledge a call on her life, and then on the way home, this young person witnessed to the young woman next to her all the way back to Anchorage. I was sitting right behind her and got to hear her do a fantastic job!
Praise God for young people unashamed to tell the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Youth Councils in Hoonah
Hello Soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just a quick note that I will be leaving Thursday with 3 young people from our Corps for Youth Councils. This year it is being held on the Alaska South East Island of Hoonah. Please pray for traveling mercies as we will drive to Anchorage, spend the night, catch a plane in the morning to Juneau and then Ferry out to Hoonah. Sunday we will have a friend of the Army use their boat to get us back to catch the plane for Anchorage, and then drive home to Homer arriving about 2:00 a.m. so the young people can catch college courses and or jobs.
All in all we are expecting great things, but do covet your prayers for the event (and the travel). I am expecting God to really move in our young people and my prayer is that the Fire of the Holy Spirit would fall on us to sanctify us and empower us for evangelising the world.
Also pray we take advantage of the opportunities to witness throughout the travels and weekend.
Remember us in your prayers this weekend. Also pray for all the corps who will have a slightly different Sunday with C.O.'s, young people, musicians, teachers, etc. visiting Hoonah.
The blog should resume Tuesday Lord willing...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick note that I will be leaving Thursday with 3 young people from our Corps for Youth Councils. This year it is being held on the Alaska South East Island of Hoonah. Please pray for traveling mercies as we will drive to Anchorage, spend the night, catch a plane in the morning to Juneau and then Ferry out to Hoonah. Sunday we will have a friend of the Army use their boat to get us back to catch the plane for Anchorage, and then drive home to Homer arriving about 2:00 a.m. so the young people can catch college courses and or jobs.
All in all we are expecting great things, but do covet your prayers for the event (and the travel). I am expecting God to really move in our young people and my prayer is that the Fire of the Holy Spirit would fall on us to sanctify us and empower us for evangelising the world.
Also pray we take advantage of the opportunities to witness throughout the travels and weekend.
Remember us in your prayers this weekend. Also pray for all the corps who will have a slightly different Sunday with C.O.'s, young people, musicians, teachers, etc. visiting Hoonah.
The blog should resume Tuesday Lord willing...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Send the Fire
A song for your prayerful meditation today - written by our Founder, William Booth.
Songbook song 203 "Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame"
1.Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame, Send the fire!
Thy blood-bought gift today we claim, Send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another Pentecost, Send the fire!
2.God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die, Send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin, Send the fire!
3.'Tis fire we want, for fire we plead, Send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need, Send the fire!
For strength to ever do the right,
For grace to conquer in the fight.
For power to walk the world in white, Send the fire!
4.To make our weak hearts strong and brave, Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save, Send the fire!
O see us on thy altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day,
To crown the offering now we pray, Send the fire!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Songbook song 203 "Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame"
1.Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame, Send the fire!
Thy blood-bought gift today we claim, Send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another Pentecost, Send the fire!
2.God of Elijah, hear our cry: Send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die, Send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin, Send the fire!
3.'Tis fire we want, for fire we plead, Send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need, Send the fire!
For strength to ever do the right,
For grace to conquer in the fight.
For power to walk the world in white, Send the fire!
4.To make our weak hearts strong and brave, Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save, Send the fire!
O see us on thy altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day,
To crown the offering now we pray, Send the fire!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The power of positive thinking and affirmations?
I was recently sent a comment (I didn't post it) from someone who found this site by "googling - meditation", of course my posts were meditation on scripture, but this was not. The web site I was directed to was all about "the power of positive thinking and positive affirmations". In short your mindset will determine how you think, it will create a "positive vibe around you" it will bring what you regularly think about to happen.
Here is a quote from that letter, "Track your thoughts and take an active role in what you think... When you come across a negative thought, change it and replace it with a thought that allows you to achieve what you want or makes your life more pleasant. Visualize your success, see yourself living the life you want. ... you are in charge of your life ..."
Why do I mention this at all - Captain Michelle will continue our study in Philippians 4:7-8 this week and talk about our thought life, only it's not just "the power of positive thinking" that allows You to change Your life and get what You want, instead, taking the whole of scripture and the context of Philippians, Paul would say he counts every thought (aside from knowing Jesus) as rubbish, and would give up all things that he might know Christ, and in Him find contentment no matter what his circumstances.
Here are some affirmations and Scriptures I am positive about...
I am positive I have no good thing in me that earns me salvation.
I am positive my righteousness is like filthy rags (let alone the "vileness" of my sin).
I am positive apart from God I can do nothing.
I am positive it is by grace I am saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
I am positive with God all things are possible.
I am positive nothing is impossible with God.
I am positive if God is for me who can be against me.
I am positive all people die someday, and the only way to the Father is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I am positive there is a place called hell and a place called heaven.
I am positive that the Lord Jesus Christ, has by his suffering and death, made atonement for the whole world, so that whosoever will repent of their sin and live for Him, will be saved.
I am positive God has commanded us to live holy and spread His gospel to the world.
I am positive that God wants no one to perish but all to come to everlasting life.
I am positive - I could go on all day long claiming the promises and affirmations in God's Word, SO what is my point... simply this, I agree we should take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. We must positively proclaim Jesus is Lord and His Word only constitutes the divine rule of Christian faith and practice. SO... Read your Word, claim it's truths, hide it in your heart, and don't just think about it.... DO WHAT IT SAYS!
I'm positive your life will be better than trying to convince yourself you can control your own life just by thinking positive thoughts.
Philippians 4:4-9 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Here is a quote from that letter, "Track your thoughts and take an active role in what you think... When you come across a negative thought, change it and replace it with a thought that allows you to achieve what you want or makes your life more pleasant. Visualize your success, see yourself living the life you want. ... you are in charge of your life ..."
Why do I mention this at all - Captain Michelle will continue our study in Philippians 4:7-8 this week and talk about our thought life, only it's not just "the power of positive thinking" that allows You to change Your life and get what You want, instead, taking the whole of scripture and the context of Philippians, Paul would say he counts every thought (aside from knowing Jesus) as rubbish, and would give up all things that he might know Christ, and in Him find contentment no matter what his circumstances.
Here are some affirmations and Scriptures I am positive about...
I am positive I have no good thing in me that earns me salvation.
I am positive my righteousness is like filthy rags (let alone the "vileness" of my sin).
I am positive apart from God I can do nothing.
I am positive it is by grace I am saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
I am positive with God all things are possible.
I am positive nothing is impossible with God.
I am positive if God is for me who can be against me.
I am positive all people die someday, and the only way to the Father is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I am positive there is a place called hell and a place called heaven.
I am positive that the Lord Jesus Christ, has by his suffering and death, made atonement for the whole world, so that whosoever will repent of their sin and live for Him, will be saved.
I am positive God has commanded us to live holy and spread His gospel to the world.
I am positive that God wants no one to perish but all to come to everlasting life.
I am positive - I could go on all day long claiming the promises and affirmations in God's Word, SO what is my point... simply this, I agree we should take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. We must positively proclaim Jesus is Lord and His Word only constitutes the divine rule of Christian faith and practice. SO... Read your Word, claim it's truths, hide it in your heart, and don't just think about it.... DO WHAT IT SAYS!
I'm positive your life will be better than trying to convince yourself you can control your own life just by thinking positive thoughts.
Philippians 4:4-9 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Just passing on a websites & blogs worthy of your time.
For those of you who couldn't attend the Western Youth Institute you really missed out, but SAYCONNECT is slowly but surely posting videos of the morning and evening teaching and preaching, and even some great testimonies. They are long (because they are entire messages), but where powerfully used by God. SO... give up some wasted time watching TV re-runs or playing another game of solitaire and check them out at here...
http://www.usw.salvationarmy.org/youth/sac.nsf
Here's another site worth checking... need a sure fire way to impact someone who is truly in need, visit SAYCause and make a donation... what "extra nicety" could you go without so that others may simply live and our Salvation Army missionaries in hard places can proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
http://saycause.com/
another tip.... Salvatoinist James Thompson was blogging at "wholly holly", but has now taken everything up a notch - check out the resources for evangelism, ministries, and blog.
http://www.goforsouls.com/blog/
Last but not least - Missionary Jordan Hess (of Homer) visited our Corps to speak on his next things in Peru - here is a like to his web-sit for those soldiers who were asking for it....
http://gohalo.org/home.html
Live holy, preach Jesus!
http://www.usw.salvationarmy.org/youth/sac.nsf
Here's another site worth checking... need a sure fire way to impact someone who is truly in need, visit SAYCause and make a donation... what "extra nicety" could you go without so that others may simply live and our Salvation Army missionaries in hard places can proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
http://saycause.com/
another tip.... Salvatoinist James Thompson was blogging at "wholly holly", but has now taken everything up a notch - check out the resources for evangelism, ministries, and blog.
http://www.goforsouls.com/blog/
Last but not least - Missionary Jordan Hess (of Homer) visited our Corps to speak on his next things in Peru - here is a like to his web-sit for those soldiers who were asking for it....
http://gohalo.org/home.html
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday's sermon - Tools for peace - Philippians 4:1-7
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
An amazing story of simple, faithful, evangelism. Frank Jenner
This is the story of Frank Jenner - "George Street Evangelist"
For a MP3 or written copy go to http://personaltract.com/Downloads.asp
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a MP3 or written copy go to http://personaltract.com/Downloads.asp
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Captain's meditation on John 6:25-40
This wasn't in my daily rations (my daily scripture reading) but I was led hear while studying other things... so today for the blog - just a quick look at this scripture and my notes to meditate on while I go about my day today...
John 6... After feeding the 5,000 and walking an the water, the crowd shows us for another meal and what Jesus can do for them we read... 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. (What are you working for and working on today - what is "eating up" your time. Are you focused on things that will spoil or will have eternal consequences, like saving souls and striving for holiness, and things that will glorify God). On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (It's not "works" that gets you saved, the work is believing is believing on Jesus alone for our salvation - so I remember it's not really "my faith" that saves me - it is Jesus that saves me - but I claim it and seek Him and call on Him and give my life to Him by faith) 30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? (don't seek God for what He can do for me today, but for who He is - the bread of heaven) 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (don't look to men or things by which the blessing comes, but look to God alone who is the giver of every good and perfect gift, everything is from His hand.) 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (Am I relying only on Jesus to satisfy me) 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (If I have a need today, God has placed everything I need in Jesus, but my requirement is that I must come to Him) 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (My example is to put the will of God above all things) 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (For those who put their trust in Jesus for their salvation - we have assurance of heaven - I know today that the fate of everyone else, is eternal damnation forever separated from the presence of God in hell. How can I be so selfish and uncaring as to not proclaim to the world that the most expensive gift in the world - salvation purchased by the perfect blood of God's only son for our salvation - is now offered to us freely if we will just accept it by faith, repent of our sins, and now live under His perfect guidance out of gratitude for what He has done for us).
God thank you for your Holy Word today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
John 6... After feeding the 5,000 and walking an the water, the crowd shows us for another meal and what Jesus can do for them we read... 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. (What are you working for and working on today - what is "eating up" your time. Are you focused on things that will spoil or will have eternal consequences, like saving souls and striving for holiness, and things that will glorify God). On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (It's not "works" that gets you saved, the work is believing is believing on Jesus alone for our salvation - so I remember it's not really "my faith" that saves me - it is Jesus that saves me - but I claim it and seek Him and call on Him and give my life to Him by faith) 30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? (don't seek God for what He can do for me today, but for who He is - the bread of heaven) 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (don't look to men or things by which the blessing comes, but look to God alone who is the giver of every good and perfect gift, everything is from His hand.) 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (Am I relying only on Jesus to satisfy me) 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (If I have a need today, God has placed everything I need in Jesus, but my requirement is that I must come to Him) 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (My example is to put the will of God above all things) 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (For those who put their trust in Jesus for their salvation - we have assurance of heaven - I know today that the fate of everyone else, is eternal damnation forever separated from the presence of God in hell. How can I be so selfish and uncaring as to not proclaim to the world that the most expensive gift in the world - salvation purchased by the perfect blood of God's only son for our salvation - is now offered to us freely if we will just accept it by faith, repent of our sins, and now live under His perfect guidance out of gratitude for what He has done for us).
God thank you for your Holy Word today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Quote from William Booth...
Today I just have a quote from William Booth and a question from our Wednesday Night study on evangelism (we're working through Mark Cahill's book "One thing you can't do in heaven").
William Booth said (speaking about the call to evangelise)... "Not called!" did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.
Mark Cahill's Action Item... This week, either "look Christ in the face" and tell Him you will refuse to obey His call, or commit in your heart to follow Him and bring His good news to the lost. If you choose the latter, know that He will help you every step of the way.
Jesus said, "follow me and I will make you fishers of men".... so if you aren't fishing, you aren't following.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
William Booth said (speaking about the call to evangelise)... "Not called!" did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.
Mark Cahill's Action Item... This week, either "look Christ in the face" and tell Him you will refuse to obey His call, or commit in your heart to follow Him and bring His good news to the lost. If you choose the latter, know that He will help you every step of the way.
Jesus said, "follow me and I will make you fishers of men".... so if you aren't fishing, you aren't following.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Dinner table talk? Feasting on the Word - Captain's meditation on verses in Timothy
I was just moved to ask what you talk about around your dinner table?
I admit I haven't always done all I could or should have in bringing up my children, but as the chaos of the varying schedule of summer is now gone, and the routine of the school year settles in, make sure you set aside time around the dinner table, and then claim that time for Jesus.
Our children are bombarded by the world all day long (yes at school, not counting TV, Internet, music, and on and on). If you, like me, have your child in public school, please remember you are their primary teacher (if not in math and reading) definitely in The Word. God bless sunday school teachers, clubs programs, youth directors and pastors, but you are responsible to train your children up in the faith, so use your table time.
Make sure you set a time and place to discuss God's Word, Heaven, Hell, and Salvation only available through a relationship with Jesus. Please discuss the things of sin, judgment, deliverance and holiness. Certainly talk about preaching and persecution.
We have done things like memorize scriptures and pick a bible book to read through, a chapter a night after the meal, and discuss what we've read. If you are faithful to systematically go through God's Holy Word, every topic under the sun will come up.
Just so you can glace at our table time from last night, we read from some of our upcoming Sunday School lesson in 2 Timothy 3 & 4 and saw these words....
2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,...
2 Timothy 4:1-3 1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
In just a few quick verses we were reminded and talk with our girls (6 & 10 years old) about being persecuted for faith in Jesus, the only 2 times we need to preach the word (Both in and out of season - all the time), and what it is to have "itching ears".
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Why not feast on God's Word at your dinner table tonight.
PS. To all the young people out there, if your parent's don't bring it up, you can certainly read your bible and bring up what you read at the table too.
1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I admit I haven't always done all I could or should have in bringing up my children, but as the chaos of the varying schedule of summer is now gone, and the routine of the school year settles in, make sure you set aside time around the dinner table, and then claim that time for Jesus.
Our children are bombarded by the world all day long (yes at school, not counting TV, Internet, music, and on and on). If you, like me, have your child in public school, please remember you are their primary teacher (if not in math and reading) definitely in The Word. God bless sunday school teachers, clubs programs, youth directors and pastors, but you are responsible to train your children up in the faith, so use your table time.
Make sure you set a time and place to discuss God's Word, Heaven, Hell, and Salvation only available through a relationship with Jesus. Please discuss the things of sin, judgment, deliverance and holiness. Certainly talk about preaching and persecution.
We have done things like memorize scriptures and pick a bible book to read through, a chapter a night after the meal, and discuss what we've read. If you are faithful to systematically go through God's Holy Word, every topic under the sun will come up.
Just so you can glace at our table time from last night, we read from some of our upcoming Sunday School lesson in 2 Timothy 3 & 4 and saw these words....
2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,...
2 Timothy 4:1-3 1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
In just a few quick verses we were reminded and talk with our girls (6 & 10 years old) about being persecuted for faith in Jesus, the only 2 times we need to preach the word (Both in and out of season - all the time), and what it is to have "itching ears".
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Why not feast on God's Word at your dinner table tonight.
PS. To all the young people out there, if your parent's don't bring it up, you can certainly read your bible and bring up what you read at the table too.
1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Getting more of God?
Hello Soldiers, Fellow followers of Jesus, and friends,
Just so you know that not everything I say from the pulpit is perfect???... (as if you thought that). Someone came up to me after service Sunday (the sermon I just posted) and said they didn't think that you could "Get more of God", I think the point being that He is 100% there for you all the time, or maybe they meant you can't just take the pieces of Him you want - FOR THE RECORD, I completely agree. I do however believe that we can open ourselves up to receive more of Him (or more from Him - whichever you find most doctrinally "semantically" correct). I believe that not only can God completely fill us today, and re-fill us tomorrow, but that he can also increase my ability to receive more tomorrow. (Not just fill my cup Lord, but fill me to overflowing today, and then give me a bigger cup tomorrow, that I might know more of You, be more in tune with You, better resemble Your likeness, to better glorify Your Name and move others to do the same).
No matter if you would call it "more" of a relationship with God, or more knowledge to better grasp Him, or if it's that you call it reaching a place where you want "less" of you, my prayer is you just seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
I think General Bramwell Tillsley said it this way... "You cannot get more and more of the Holy Spirit. You have all of the Holy Spirit from the very beginning. It's not a case of getting more and more of the Holy Spirit, It's a matter of the Holy Spirit getting more and more of you." AMEN.
So anyway, for the record, as I've prayed before - Dear Heavenly Father, if anything from the pulpit or my lips is perfect, empowering, life changing, working salvation, and God glorifying, then please let everyone know it is from You alone, by Your Holy Spirit, and or from Your Holy Word... and Lord if anything from the pulpit or my lips is ever (heaven forbid) wrong, incomplete, or powerless, may everyone know they were spoken through my inadequate humanness.
I leave you with a scripture and something to pray about...
Here is the Word of God, and how Paul described his desire to know His Savior more...
Philippians 3:10-16 (Amplified Bible) 10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. 12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. 15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.
Now something to pray about... I'm not saying this to take a jab in anyway, I couldn't mean this in a more genuine honest way... If you want a better pastor - please pray for the one you have. I guarantee you, whether I'm your pastor or not, they covet your prayers just like I do.
God's richest blessings to all you fellow officers, soldiers, local officers, pastors, church members, and lay leaders in every church and movement for the cause of Christ, may we all strive to KNOW HIM AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just so you know that not everything I say from the pulpit is perfect???... (as if you thought that). Someone came up to me after service Sunday (the sermon I just posted) and said they didn't think that you could "Get more of God", I think the point being that He is 100% there for you all the time, or maybe they meant you can't just take the pieces of Him you want - FOR THE RECORD, I completely agree. I do however believe that we can open ourselves up to receive more of Him (or more from Him - whichever you find most doctrinally "semantically" correct). I believe that not only can God completely fill us today, and re-fill us tomorrow, but that he can also increase my ability to receive more tomorrow. (Not just fill my cup Lord, but fill me to overflowing today, and then give me a bigger cup tomorrow, that I might know more of You, be more in tune with You, better resemble Your likeness, to better glorify Your Name and move others to do the same).
No matter if you would call it "more" of a relationship with God, or more knowledge to better grasp Him, or if it's that you call it reaching a place where you want "less" of you, my prayer is you just seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
I think General Bramwell Tillsley said it this way... "You cannot get more and more of the Holy Spirit. You have all of the Holy Spirit from the very beginning. It's not a case of getting more and more of the Holy Spirit, It's a matter of the Holy Spirit getting more and more of you." AMEN.
So anyway, for the record, as I've prayed before - Dear Heavenly Father, if anything from the pulpit or my lips is perfect, empowering, life changing, working salvation, and God glorifying, then please let everyone know it is from You alone, by Your Holy Spirit, and or from Your Holy Word... and Lord if anything from the pulpit or my lips is ever (heaven forbid) wrong, incomplete, or powerless, may everyone know they were spoken through my inadequate humanness.
I leave you with a scripture and something to pray about...
Here is the Word of God, and how Paul described his desire to know His Savior more...
Philippians 3:10-16 (Amplified Bible) 10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. 12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. 15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.
Now something to pray about... I'm not saying this to take a jab in anyway, I couldn't mean this in a more genuine honest way... If you want a better pastor - please pray for the one you have. I guarantee you, whether I'm your pastor or not, they covet your prayers just like I do.
God's richest blessings to all you fellow officers, soldiers, local officers, pastors, church members, and lay leaders in every church and movement for the cause of Christ, may we all strive to KNOW HIM AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - How you should stand firm in the Lord
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For a simple outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a simple outline of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Have a blessed Sunday! Here's another great songbook song & scripture...
418: Have you on the Lord believed
Philip Paul Bliss (1838-76)
1.Have you on the Lord believed? Still there's more to follow;
Of his grace have you received? Still there's more to follow.
More and more, more and more, Always more to follow;
O his matchless, boundless love! Still there's more to follow.
2.Have you felt the Saviour near? Still there's more to follow;
Does his blessed presence cheer? Still there's more to follow.
3.O the grace the Father shows! Still there's more to follow;
Freely he his grace bestows,Still there's more to follow.
--------------
In Philippians, Paul expresses some Holy and Sanctified dissatisfaction in his walk with Jesus... NOT that it was inadequate, quite the contrary Paul said Christ was his very life, and all through the book Paul gives more and more evidence that he rejoices and is content no matter what life brings as long as he knows Christ. Despite all this he had a continual (never satisfied) desire, a hunger, to know Jesus more.
Listen to how it is expressed in the Amplified bible...
Philippians 3:10-16 (Amplified Bible) 10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. 12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
No matter how close you are to Jesus, there is always more to follow... strain forward, press on, and seek after Him and His will for every area of your life.
Live holy, preach Jesus.
Philip Paul Bliss (1838-76)
1.Have you on the Lord believed? Still there's more to follow;
Of his grace have you received? Still there's more to follow.
More and more, more and more, Always more to follow;
O his matchless, boundless love! Still there's more to follow.
2.Have you felt the Saviour near? Still there's more to follow;
Does his blessed presence cheer? Still there's more to follow.
3.O the grace the Father shows! Still there's more to follow;
Freely he his grace bestows,Still there's more to follow.
--------------
In Philippians, Paul expresses some Holy and Sanctified dissatisfaction in his walk with Jesus... NOT that it was inadequate, quite the contrary Paul said Christ was his very life, and all through the book Paul gives more and more evidence that he rejoices and is content no matter what life brings as long as he knows Christ. Despite all this he had a continual (never satisfied) desire, a hunger, to know Jesus more.
Listen to how it is expressed in the Amplified bible...
Philippians 3:10-16 (Amplified Bible) 10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. 12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
No matter how close you are to Jesus, there is always more to follow... strain forward, press on, and seek after Him and His will for every area of your life.
Live holy, preach Jesus.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Where are the fearless faithful preachers of the Gospel?
This was posted by billy Creighton - Extracts from a message Steve Lawson preached at a Shepherds Conference….
"The problem with preachers today is no one wants to kill them anymore" – A. Rogers.
"The problem with preachers today is no one wants to kill them anymore" – A. Rogers.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Soul winning and the Holy Spirit- a letter from William Booth
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus, .
Just going through some readings that always encourage me and I saw this... it is still every bit as true as when the Founder of God's great Salvation Army wrote it to his troops back in 1869... read it, believe it, seek it, and be blessed.....
---------
To the Brethren and Sisters Labouring for JESUS
by General William Booth
letter, published in The East London Evangelist , 1 April 1869
in connection with the Dunedin Hall Christian Mission, Edinburgh
BELOVED FRIENDS Though I have not been privileged to see you in the flesh, yet I have heard with great thankfulness from time to time of your work of faith and labour of love: and I rejoice greatly in the abundant blessing granted to your labours, and bless God for every brand plucked from the everlasting through your instrumentality. I earnestly pray that you may be made a hundredfold more useful in the future than you have been in the past. The work in which you are engaged is the most important that can engage the attention or call forth the energies of any being...
Success in soul-winning, like all other work, both human and divine, depends on certain conditions... If you want to succeed you must be careful to comply with these conditions...
I desire to give a few brief practical hints...And, first and foremost, I commend one qualification which seems to involve all others. That is, the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost. I would have you settle it in your souls for ever this one great immutable principle in the economy of grace, that spiritual work can only be done by those who possess spiritual power. No matter what else you may lack, or what may be against you, with the Holy Ghost you will succeed; but without the Holy Spirit, no matter what else you may possess, you will utterly and eternally fail.
Many make mistakes here. Aroused by the inward urgings of the Holy Spirit, they endeavour to comply with the call which comes from the word and the necessities of their fellow men; but being destitute of this power, they fail, and instead of going to the Strong for strength, they give up in despair. Again aroused, again they resolve and venture forth, but having no more power than before, they are as impotent as ever. And fail they must, until baptised with power from on high.
This I am convinced, is the one great need of the Church. We want no new truths, agencies, means, or appliances. We only want more of the fire of the Holy Ghost. ...
O what zeal, what self-denial, what meekness, what boldness, what holiness, what love, would there not be? And with all this, what power for your great work? The whole city would feel it. God's people in every direction would catch the fire, and sinners would fall on every side. Difficulties would vanish, devils be conquered, infidels believe, and the glory of God be displayed...
You do desire to see signs and wonders wrought in the name of Jesus. To see a great awakening among the careless crowds around you....
This baptism then, is your first great need. If you think with me, will you not tarry for it? Offer yourselves to God for the fullness. Lay aside every weight...
Hold on! Though your feelings are barren, your way dark, and your difficulties be multiplied, steadily hang on the word of God.
Expect the baptism every hour; wait if he tarry. 'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting'; and the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple.
I have more to say to you, but must wait another opportunity. Yours in the fellowship of the Gospel.
WILLIAM BOOTH
--------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just going through some readings that always encourage me and I saw this... it is still every bit as true as when the Founder of God's great Salvation Army wrote it to his troops back in 1869... read it, believe it, seek it, and be blessed.....
---------
To the Brethren and Sisters Labouring for JESUS
by General William Booth
letter, published in The East London Evangelist , 1 April 1869
in connection with the Dunedin Hall Christian Mission, Edinburgh
BELOVED FRIENDS Though I have not been privileged to see you in the flesh, yet I have heard with great thankfulness from time to time of your work of faith and labour of love: and I rejoice greatly in the abundant blessing granted to your labours, and bless God for every brand plucked from the everlasting through your instrumentality. I earnestly pray that you may be made a hundredfold more useful in the future than you have been in the past. The work in which you are engaged is the most important that can engage the attention or call forth the energies of any being...
Success in soul-winning, like all other work, both human and divine, depends on certain conditions... If you want to succeed you must be careful to comply with these conditions...
I desire to give a few brief practical hints...And, first and foremost, I commend one qualification which seems to involve all others. That is, the Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Ghost. I would have you settle it in your souls for ever this one great immutable principle in the economy of grace, that spiritual work can only be done by those who possess spiritual power. No matter what else you may lack, or what may be against you, with the Holy Ghost you will succeed; but without the Holy Spirit, no matter what else you may possess, you will utterly and eternally fail.
Many make mistakes here. Aroused by the inward urgings of the Holy Spirit, they endeavour to comply with the call which comes from the word and the necessities of their fellow men; but being destitute of this power, they fail, and instead of going to the Strong for strength, they give up in despair. Again aroused, again they resolve and venture forth, but having no more power than before, they are as impotent as ever. And fail they must, until baptised with power from on high.
This I am convinced, is the one great need of the Church. We want no new truths, agencies, means, or appliances. We only want more of the fire of the Holy Ghost. ...
O what zeal, what self-denial, what meekness, what boldness, what holiness, what love, would there not be? And with all this, what power for your great work? The whole city would feel it. God's people in every direction would catch the fire, and sinners would fall on every side. Difficulties would vanish, devils be conquered, infidels believe, and the glory of God be displayed...
You do desire to see signs and wonders wrought in the name of Jesus. To see a great awakening among the careless crowds around you....
This baptism then, is your first great need. If you think with me, will you not tarry for it? Offer yourselves to God for the fullness. Lay aside every weight...
Hold on! Though your feelings are barren, your way dark, and your difficulties be multiplied, steadily hang on the word of God.
Expect the baptism every hour; wait if he tarry. 'This kind goeth not forth but by prayer and fasting'; and the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to his temple.
I have more to say to you, but must wait another opportunity. Yours in the fellowship of the Gospel.
WILLIAM BOOTH
--------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Praises from Bible Study and scriptures to consider
Hello soldiers, friends, and followers of Jesus,
Just quick praises from last night's bible study and our topic of personal evangelism (and some scriptures to consider).
1. One of our men reported God's obvious change in his life that his friends, family, and boss are noticing that is leading to questions as to WHY and HOW? He also said this week he made a step to move toward verbally sharing his faith at his work-site. GOD IS GOOD - let's pray he shares boldly about Jesus, and all his co-workers find Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Is your life posing questions? If so you will have chances to share the verbal message of Jesus. Live holy - preach Jesus!
2. A college studend said that at his college people are always "talking about what they believe" without hesitation, and he realizes that each time that happens, he has an open door to share his belief in Jesus Christ with every bit as much boldness and matter of fact power since his belief is the TRUTH that can save them from hell to heaven.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
3. That same young man said he just read through the bible amazed at all the stuff he hadn't seen before that now seems all so clear, true, and simple. Just a reminder that anyone seeking God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can learn more about the bible than any "theologian" who studies simply for "knowledge". Read your bible and ask God to show you the truth of who He is in a way you can understand.... then do what it says.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
John 5:39-40 Jesus said You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
in John 20 - John wrote ... 29 Then Jesus told him (Thomas), "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Spend some time in the Word of God today...
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just quick praises from last night's bible study and our topic of personal evangelism (and some scriptures to consider).
1. One of our men reported God's obvious change in his life that his friends, family, and boss are noticing that is leading to questions as to WHY and HOW? He also said this week he made a step to move toward verbally sharing his faith at his work-site. GOD IS GOOD - let's pray he shares boldly about Jesus, and all his co-workers find Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Is your life posing questions? If so you will have chances to share the verbal message of Jesus. Live holy - preach Jesus!
2. A college studend said that at his college people are always "talking about what they believe" without hesitation, and he realizes that each time that happens, he has an open door to share his belief in Jesus Christ with every bit as much boldness and matter of fact power since his belief is the TRUTH that can save them from hell to heaven.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
3. That same young man said he just read through the bible amazed at all the stuff he hadn't seen before that now seems all so clear, true, and simple. Just a reminder that anyone seeking God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can learn more about the bible than any "theologian" who studies simply for "knowledge". Read your bible and ask God to show you the truth of who He is in a way you can understand.... then do what it says.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
John 5:39-40 Jesus said You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
in John 20 - John wrote ... 29 Then Jesus told him (Thomas), "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Spend some time in the Word of God today...
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Just a great quote today...
Today just a great quote by Charles Haddon Spurgeon...
“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”
Mark 16:15 He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Go be obedient to our Savior and preach the gospel to the world. The world is waiting for you to point them toward Jesus, who alone can save them from their sins and hell, and give them abundant and everlasting life.
BE A MISSIONARY TODAY!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”
Mark 16:15 He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Go be obedient to our Savior and preach the gospel to the world. The world is waiting for you to point them toward Jesus, who alone can save them from their sins and hell, and give them abundant and everlasting life.
BE A MISSIONARY TODAY!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - I want to know Christ MORE!
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A prayer thought for meditation this Sunday
I know I posted this once before, but it is still true today....
John Burton, Jr. (1803-77) writer of songbook #588 "I often say my prayers" penned these words to consider while you pray and seek God's face today...
I often say my prayers; but do I ever pray?
And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say?
I may as well kneel down and worship gods of stone,
As offer to the living God a prayer of words alone.
For words without the heart the Lord will never hear;
Nor will he to those lips attend whose prayers are not sincere.
Lord, show me what I need, and teach me how to pray;
Nor let me ask thee for thy grace, not feeling what I say.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
John Burton, Jr. (1803-77) writer of songbook #588 "I often say my prayers" penned these words to consider while you pray and seek God's face today...
I often say my prayers; but do I ever pray?
And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say?
I may as well kneel down and worship gods of stone,
As offer to the living God a prayer of words alone.
For words without the heart the Lord will never hear;
Nor will he to those lips attend whose prayers are not sincere.
Lord, show me what I need, and teach me how to pray;
Nor let me ask thee for thy grace, not feeling what I say.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Set aside 35 minutes today where you will not be Interrupted and play this
This is David Platt at the SBC Pastors Conference 2009
This is more than "fine preaching" it is God's Word.
If you don't have time right now, or aren't willing to do whatever God tells you, skip this message and do something else. If you will listen with bible open, heart open, and a willilng spirit to what God asks of you - buckle up and be ready for the Spirit of God to Speak to your heart.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/augustweb-only/132-11.0.html
Live holy, preach Jesus!
This is more than "fine preaching" it is God's Word.
If you don't have time right now, or aren't willing to do whatever God tells you, skip this message and do something else. If you will listen with bible open, heart open, and a willilng spirit to what God asks of you - buckle up and be ready for the Spirit of God to Speak to your heart.
David Platt: SBC Pastors Conference 2009 from Todd Thomas on Vimeo.
Here is another article with links regarding his thoughts on the Word of God.http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/augustweb-only/132-11.0.html
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Friday, August 28, 2009
How I explain Salvation
#1 ADMIT IT… You are a sinner
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
Sin is our failing to perfectly live up to the perfect standard of God. If we all tried to throw a rock to the North-Pole, some of us would get closer than others, but we would all fall short. God sees hate the same as murder, lust as adultery of the heart, if we have lied, God sees us as a liar. No one will get into heaven by being good enough.
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
#2 The Wages (or penalty) for you sin is death
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27)
For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a)
10 out of 10 people will someday die. Everyone will eventually die and stand before a holy God to be judged, and sentenced, to one of two places for eternity. Everyone failing to be perfect (according to God’s standard—not ours) will miss heaven and be sentenced to a place apart from Him to a prison (called hell) where we face a death sentence of dying forever.
#3 THE BAD NEWS is You can’t save yourself
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8-9)
The best we have to offer, as hard as we could ever work, doesn’t earn us a place in heaven, we just aren’t good enough. It is like telling a judge who has sentenced you to prison, that although you broke the law, you have done some good things too. A good judge would have to say that although you had done good works, that He as a good judge, must sentence people who broke the law. (We have all broken God’s moral law of the 10 commandments, many times, the bible says each offense would bring us the death sentence.)
#4 THE GOOD NEWS is God made a way to save you through Jesus Christ
God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18)
Imagine you had cancer, but a new procedure would let you transplant healthy cells for cancerous ones. Jesus made a way to take on your cancerous cells that would bring you death (cells called sin) and deposited on your behalf (when you accept Him) His righteousness in their place that will allow you to live forever in heaven, eternal life)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of god’s one and only son. (John 3:16-18)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)
If while sentenced to prison, having no way to “bail yourself out”, someone stepped in and paid your fine, the requirements of the law could be satisfied and you could go free. That is what Jesus did at the cross. He paid your fine and took your death sentence, so you could go free, but you must accept His gift, or choose punishment.
#5 How do you accept and claim your free gift of salvation
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." As the Scripture says, “anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:9-11)
To confess and believe in Jesus (to have faith), requires action. How do you accept the gift of God’s salvation? The step of faith God requires is called repentance.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Cor. 7:10)
If while drowning in the ocean, the coast guard threw you a lifeline, belief alone is not enough. To be saved you must reach out and grab it. Repentance is our choosing to give up our sin, and the right to control of our lives, in order to turn to God and grab the lifeline that can save us.
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
Salvation isn’t for those who know about lifelines, but for those will act in faith, to take hold of it.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
The response to a God who made a way to save our lives, is to live for Him, offering Him all we are, not to earn our way to heaven, but to thank him for a gift we could never get on our own (salvation from eternal hell, to eternal life in heaven). God offers us the free gift of salvation, but we have to accept it on his terms
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14;6)
If you realize you need a Savior, if you understand someday you will die and must face a righteous judge and must answer for your every sin against Him. If you realize you will either be sentenced to everlasting suffering, or that you can pass from death to life by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you need to act now.
Jesus says… Here I am! I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:20)
Are you ready to accept Jesus on His terms? If so repent, trust in Him, and live for Him.
Ask God to forgive your every sin (name the ones you know of) and commit to living your life for Him. Thank Jesus for His life, death, and resurrection to save you. Thank Him for saving you from hell for heaven and for now giving you His Holy Spirit and the Bible for daily guidance and instruction.
If you are unsure about where you will spend eternity, or if you have found salvaiton in Jesus Christ, let us know so we can pray with you. 907-235-2609
----------------
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Forwarding an email newsletter
Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Check out this newsletter email from Mark Cahill.
http://www.markcahill.org/news/0809news.html
We must share our faith (the full gospel) verbally and then back it up with holy living that glorifies God.
If you never mention your need for salvation (because of your sin), the need to repent (to leave your sin and return to God), the requirement to live by faith (continually putting Jesus first in every area of your life and living by His standard and leading alone), in order to be saved from HELL for Heaven, and to be saved from SIN and SINNING for Holiness, people will never just guess all that because you "act nice".
Check out his newsletter,
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Check out this newsletter email from Mark Cahill.
http://www.markcahill.org/news/0809news.html
We must share our faith (the full gospel) verbally and then back it up with holy living that glorifies God.
If you never mention your need for salvation (because of your sin), the need to repent (to leave your sin and return to God), the requirement to live by faith (continually putting Jesus first in every area of your life and living by His standard and leading alone), in order to be saved from HELL for Heaven, and to be saved from SIN and SINNING for Holiness, people will never just guess all that because you "act nice".
Check out his newsletter,
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Salvationists & Nazarite Vows?
Check out this great article written by Captain Michael Ramsay (The Corps Officer in Swift Current, Canada and Bermuda Territory.) This article was just published in "The Officer" magazine.
Go to this link and check it out - It's just one page and totally worth the read.
http://www.sheepspeak.com/HabeusCorpusandCovenant.pdf
Are you staying true to all your vows made to God today? I pray you are. If you have failed, or forgotten, then ask forgiveness and press on toward the goal of Faithfulness. God is always faithful to us, we as believers and Salvationists must make it our life's aim to be faithful to Him.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Go to this link and check it out - It's just one page and totally worth the read.
http://www.sheepspeak.com/HabeusCorpusandCovenant.pdf
Are you staying true to all your vows made to God today? I pray you are. If you have failed, or forgotten, then ask forgiveness and press on toward the goal of Faithfulness. God is always faithful to us, we as believers and Salvationists must make it our life's aim to be faithful to Him.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
My Story - A boring testimony?
I mentioned in my sermon "my boring testimony". I wrote out part of my testimony "my story" about 4 years ago and printed it on a folded sheet of paper as my own person tract. I give this out to people all the time (along with one other I wrote explaining how I in The Salvation Army understand salvation).
For those of you who heard me mention it in my sermon yesterday, here is what it says...
The Story of one Salvation Army Pastor - “My Story” by Captain Mark Thielenhaus
Hello Friend,
My Story is not dramatic. I have had no life threatening illness, no battle with drugs or alcohol, and no problems with the law. I grew up in a Christian home with teaching from the bible and my parents were active in church. I have had a fairly sheltered life. I gave my life to Jesus at an early age, perhaps even before I knew what all that meant. Now I'm the pastor of The Salvation Army of Homer Alaska with a wonderful wife and two daughters. Although I have, of course, had hard times and painful trials, I am blessed in countless ways I don't deserve. What would make a story as simple as mine amazing enough to write about and worth telling others? What part of my story is worth devoting my whole life to telling others about? It is Jesus.
I daily recognize that I am a sinner, unable to meet the perfect standard of God, and I’m regularly falling short of His perfection. I recognize that I deserve His righteous judgment of missing heaven, and although I hate to even use the word, I deserve hell. My story is that although I am a sinner, I have found salvation. Jesus suffered, died, and rose again, so that I could be free. Jesus stepped into the courtroom of my life, saw I was condemned to an eternity of suffering, and paid my fine so I could go free; justice could be served, because he died in my place. Is my life all easy now? Of course not. I still have crisis and struggles like everyone else, but I have a God who gives me daily strength and hope. Even if God never again gave me one good thing in this life, I have the hope of heaven.
What do you have to do to have this same hope in your story? Simply confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, believe Jesus died in your place and rose again to prove he was God, then repent and put your faith it Him. Faith is believing enough to act, and repentance is being willing to let go of everything else in order to put Jesus first.
God’s Word Says…
· all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
· the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
· God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
· For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
· If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
· Jesus says… Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
If you have any question about where you will spend eternity, any doubt at all if you are saved or not, please let me talk to you and pray with you. 907.235.2609
Captain Mark Thielenhaus
Pastor – The Salvation Army Homer Alaska
There’s nothing more important than where you will spend eternity. If you are ready to consider the things of God and search for the very meaning of life itself, contact your local Salvation Army Pastor.
WRITE AND SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY - or leave it here as a comment.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For those of you who heard me mention it in my sermon yesterday, here is what it says...
The Story of one Salvation Army Pastor - “My Story” by Captain Mark Thielenhaus
Hello Friend,
My Story is not dramatic. I have had no life threatening illness, no battle with drugs or alcohol, and no problems with the law. I grew up in a Christian home with teaching from the bible and my parents were active in church. I have had a fairly sheltered life. I gave my life to Jesus at an early age, perhaps even before I knew what all that meant. Now I'm the pastor of The Salvation Army of Homer Alaska with a wonderful wife and two daughters. Although I have, of course, had hard times and painful trials, I am blessed in countless ways I don't deserve. What would make a story as simple as mine amazing enough to write about and worth telling others? What part of my story is worth devoting my whole life to telling others about? It is Jesus.
I daily recognize that I am a sinner, unable to meet the perfect standard of God, and I’m regularly falling short of His perfection. I recognize that I deserve His righteous judgment of missing heaven, and although I hate to even use the word, I deserve hell. My story is that although I am a sinner, I have found salvation. Jesus suffered, died, and rose again, so that I could be free. Jesus stepped into the courtroom of my life, saw I was condemned to an eternity of suffering, and paid my fine so I could go free; justice could be served, because he died in my place. Is my life all easy now? Of course not. I still have crisis and struggles like everyone else, but I have a God who gives me daily strength and hope. Even if God never again gave me one good thing in this life, I have the hope of heaven.
What do you have to do to have this same hope in your story? Simply confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, believe Jesus died in your place and rose again to prove he was God, then repent and put your faith it Him. Faith is believing enough to act, and repentance is being willing to let go of everything else in order to put Jesus first.
God’s Word Says…
· all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
· the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
· God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
· For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
· If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
· Jesus says… Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
If you have any question about where you will spend eternity, any doubt at all if you are saved or not, please let me talk to you and pray with you. 907.235.2609
Captain Mark Thielenhaus
Pastor – The Salvation Army Homer Alaska
There’s nothing more important than where you will spend eternity. If you are ready to consider the things of God and search for the very meaning of life itself, contact your local Salvation Army Pastor.
WRITE AND SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY - or leave it here as a comment.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - "The power of a boring testimony"
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right of this square and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page OR you can always access my sermon player site (and countless other preachers) at http://sermon.net/The_Salvation_Army_Homer
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
You must cultivate your soul.
1st let me admit that I borrowed (copy and pasted) this from another site I visit occasionally... The following was said to be from "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. I read the book quite some time ago and was blessed and challenged by it. ...
A Farmer plows his field, sows the seed, and fertilizes and cultivates—all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside of himself. He knows he cannot cause the seed to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop. For a successful harvest, he is dependent on these things from God.
Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate, he can- not expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in a partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities. Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.
We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us.
Anyway this just sounded very similar to many points from my last sermon on Philippians Chapter 2 - we must work out our salvation, with fear and trembling, while God works in us to will and act according to His purpose... If you didn't get a chance to listen or read my study, just check Monday's link. God bless.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
A Farmer plows his field, sows the seed, and fertilizes and cultivates—all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside of himself. He knows he cannot cause the seed to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop. For a successful harvest, he is dependent on these things from God.
Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate, he can- not expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in a partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities. Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.
We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us.
Anyway this just sounded very similar to many points from my last sermon on Philippians Chapter 2 - we must work out our salvation, with fear and trembling, while God works in us to will and act according to His purpose... If you didn't get a chance to listen or read my study, just check Monday's link. God bless.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Great song for meditation today.
Here's another great hymn we sang at WYI (with a contemporary beat!)
William Booth said, "why should the devil have all the good music"! - He doesn't... AMEN!
This song was written by Elvina Hall and appeared in a hymnal for the first time back in 1868, but the words are still as powerful and true today...
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness....watch and pray
Find in me....thine all in all
Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb
And when before thy throne
I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat
Live holy, preach Jesus!
William Booth said, "why should the devil have all the good music"! - He doesn't... AMEN!
This song was written by Elvina Hall and appeared in a hymnal for the first time back in 1868, but the words are still as powerful and true today...
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness....watch and pray
Find in me....thine all in all
Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb
And when before thy throne
I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Great Salvation Army Song - from WYI
Hello soldiers, freinds, and fellow followers of Jesus,
We sang this song many times at WYI - good "rockin'" worship - good Salvationist lyrics.
Salvation Army Song book #724
Have we not known it, have we not heard it
by Albert Orsborn
1. Have we not known it, have we not heard it?
Power unto God belongs.
Yet do we daily find in his mercy
Themes for the sweetest songs;
Healing the wounded, raising the fallen,
Making the blind to see,
Saying to all who seek his face
These precious words of redeeming grace:
No more! No more! He remembers sins no more,
They are pardoned for ever, And he will never
Bring them up against me any more.
I'll hear no more Of the evil days of yore;
I'm a pardoned offender, And God will remember them no more.
2. Joy-bursts of singing gaily are springing
With every day that starts;
If we were silent then would the stones cry
Shame on our fainting hearts.
O banish sadness, sing now for gladness
Glory in Christ, the Lord!
Who is a God like unto thee,
One who can pardon iniquity?
3. Safe in the dark day; safe in the bright day;
Safe till my latest breath;
There is endurance in this assurance,
Stronger than fear of death.
When the accuser comes to the judgment,
Seeking my soul to claim,
I have a token in the blood.
I have the word of a pardoning God.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
We sang this song many times at WYI - good "rockin'" worship - good Salvationist lyrics.
Salvation Army Song book #724
Have we not known it, have we not heard it
by Albert Orsborn
1. Have we not known it, have we not heard it?
Power unto God belongs.
Yet do we daily find in his mercy
Themes for the sweetest songs;
Healing the wounded, raising the fallen,
Making the blind to see,
Saying to all who seek his face
These precious words of redeeming grace:
No more! No more! He remembers sins no more,
They are pardoned for ever, And he will never
Bring them up against me any more.
I'll hear no more Of the evil days of yore;
I'm a pardoned offender, And God will remember them no more.
2. Joy-bursts of singing gaily are springing
With every day that starts;
If we were silent then would the stones cry
Shame on our fainting hearts.
O banish sadness, sing now for gladness
Glory in Christ, the Lord!
Who is a God like unto thee,
One who can pardon iniquity?
3. Safe in the dark day; safe in the bright day;
Safe till my latest breath;
There is endurance in this assurance,
Stronger than fear of death.
When the accuser comes to the judgment,
Seeking my soul to claim,
I have a token in the blood.
I have the word of a pardoning God.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Best part of WYI for me?
The Salvation Army should soon be posting things from the Western Youth Institute events like pictures, video clips, etc. (I'll post a link when they do).
Until it does let me just give one of my best WYI moments. There was great prayer time with other believers, testimonies all week were fantastic (ranging from victory over sexual abuse, depression, even people who God rescued from witchcraft). Worship was awesome. Teaching and Preaching was top-notch, God honoring, and aggressive Christianity at it's finest. The day of service and outreach was a blessing.
One of the moments that most blessed me was during and evening of testimonies. At one point a blind young lady came up to give her testimony of the week (her first testimony in a big crowd - like many that night). She gave a great testimony and after she asked if she could sing a song, of course the place went crazy in encouragement. Had she started singing 'poorly' it would still have been fantastic, but she burst out with the voice of an angel and the confident assurance of a child of God singing "He knows my name".
Needless to say the congregation of about 200 young people either burst out in applause or into tears being deeply moved by her voice and the working of the Holy Spirit (I'll admit I was of the crying group).
The whole week was a blessing, but her testimony in song was the best part of WYI for me.
Still trying to get back on track with work and family schedule, Captain Michelle and the girls come home tonight (Praise God for my family). Thank you all for your ongoing thoughts and prayers.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Until it does let me just give one of my best WYI moments. There was great prayer time with other believers, testimonies all week were fantastic (ranging from victory over sexual abuse, depression, even people who God rescued from witchcraft). Worship was awesome. Teaching and Preaching was top-notch, God honoring, and aggressive Christianity at it's finest. The day of service and outreach was a blessing.
One of the moments that most blessed me was during and evening of testimonies. At one point a blind young lady came up to give her testimony of the week (her first testimony in a big crowd - like many that night). She gave a great testimony and after she asked if she could sing a song, of course the place went crazy in encouragement. Had she started singing 'poorly' it would still have been fantastic, but she burst out with the voice of an angel and the confident assurance of a child of God singing "He knows my name".
Needless to say the congregation of about 200 young people either burst out in applause or into tears being deeply moved by her voice and the working of the Holy Spirit (I'll admit I was of the crying group).
The whole week was a blessing, but her testimony in song was the best part of WYI for me.
Still trying to get back on track with work and family schedule, Captain Michelle and the girls come home tonight (Praise God for my family). Thank you all for your ongoing thoughts and prayers.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Back in town - almost blogging
Hello Soldiers & fellow followers of Jesus,
I returned safely from WYI (Western Youth Institute) and I was excited to see young salvationists serious about serving Jesus and Saving the World!
I will start blogging again shortly, but I'm still catching up with things after being gone (and my wife out of town).
Until I can start up again (Lord willing tomorrow) here is a great article from one of the blogs I follow and highly recommend.
Check it out.
http://always-burning.blogspot.com/2009/08/whos-afraid-of-big-bad-wolf.html
Hopefully I'll be blogging regularly again tomorrow.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I returned safely from WYI (Western Youth Institute) and I was excited to see young salvationists serious about serving Jesus and Saving the World!
I will start blogging again shortly, but I'm still catching up with things after being gone (and my wife out of town).
Until I can start up again (Lord willing tomorrow) here is a great article from one of the blogs I follow and highly recommend.
Check it out.
http://always-burning.blogspot.com/2009/08/whos-afraid-of-big-bad-wolf.html
Hopefully I'll be blogging regularly again tomorrow.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday's Sermon - Work it out and shine
To listen to Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here.
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right, and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options 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!
For a basic manuscript of this message, download, or sharing options, click the menu button at the right, and choose your option.
For past sermons or podcasting options 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!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Gone to WYI - Western Youth Institute
Hello Soldiers, Freinds, and Fellow followers of Jesus Christ,
I prefer to post something every day, but I am leaving today for The Salvation Army's Western Youth Institude in Washington. Please keep me and the event in your prayers - I am expecting God to do great things!
For Homer Corps members - please remember that our Wednesday Night Bible study is still going to happen at 7:00 Wednesday night - Ben will lead in my place.
I will surely write about my expereince when I get back on August 17th.
Until my return, if nothing else, check out the Scripture for the day in the left column next to this post.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
I prefer to post something every day, but I am leaving today for The Salvation Army's Western Youth Institude in Washington. Please keep me and the event in your prayers - I am expecting God to do great things!
For Homer Corps members - please remember that our Wednesday Night Bible study is still going to happen at 7:00 Wednesday night - Ben will lead in my place.
I will surely write about my expereince when I get back on August 17th.
Until my return, if nothing else, check out the Scripture for the day in the left column next to this post.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
William Booths 6 resolutions for "daily rations"
At age 20 William Booth wrote down these 6 resolutions for his "devotional time".
1. That I will rise every morning sufficiently early to wash, dress, and have a few minutes, not less than 5, in private prayer.
2. That I will, as much as possible, avoid all that babbling and idle talk in which I have lately so sinfully indulged.
3. That I will endeavor in my conduct and deportment before the world and my fellow servants especially to conduct myself as a humble, meek and zealous follower of Christ, and be serious conversation and warning endeavor to lead them to think of their immortal souls.
4. That I will read no less than for chapters in God's Word every day.
5. That I will strive to live closer to God, and to seek after holiness of heart and leave providential events with God.
6. That I will read over this every day or at least twice a week.
"God help me, enable me to cultivate a spirit of self-denial and to yield myself a prisoner of love tot he redeemer of the world." ... ... " I feel my own weakness, and without God's help I shall not keep these resolutions. The Lord have mercy upon my guilty soul."
------
Make sure you spend time with God today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
1. That I will rise every morning sufficiently early to wash, dress, and have a few minutes, not less than 5, in private prayer.
2. That I will, as much as possible, avoid all that babbling and idle talk in which I have lately so sinfully indulged.
3. That I will endeavor in my conduct and deportment before the world and my fellow servants especially to conduct myself as a humble, meek and zealous follower of Christ, and be serious conversation and warning endeavor to lead them to think of their immortal souls.
4. That I will read no less than for chapters in God's Word every day.
5. That I will strive to live closer to God, and to seek after holiness of heart and leave providential events with God.
6. That I will read over this every day or at least twice a week.
"God help me, enable me to cultivate a spirit of self-denial and to yield myself a prisoner of love tot he redeemer of the world." ... ... " I feel my own weakness, and without God's help I shall not keep these resolutions. The Lord have mercy upon my guilty soul."
------
Make sure you spend time with God today.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Familiy Camp teaching - improving your "devotions" & "daily rations"
To listen to this men's class (suitable for all believers!) from our recent family camp, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options OR 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!
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!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
11 Questions for weekly self-examination of the soul
These 11 Questions came from William Booth - the material is from "Chosen to be a soldier" Orders and Regulations for Soldiers of The Salvation Army 1977 (p17-18)
1. Am I habitually guilty of any known sin? Do I practice or allow myself any thought, word, or deed that I know to be wrong?
2. Am I so the master of my bodily appetites as to have no condemnation? Do I allow myself any indulgence that is injurious to my holiness, growth in knowledge, obedience, or usefulness?
3. Are my thoughts and feelings such that I should not be ashamed to hear them published before God?
4. Does the influence of the world cause me to do or say things that are unlike Christ?
5. Do my tempters cause me to act, or feel, or say things that I see afterward are contrary to that love that I ought to (show) always to those about me?
6. Am I doing all in my power for the salvation of sinners? Do I feel concern about their danger and pray and work for their salvation as if they were my children?
7. Am I fulfilling the vows I have made to God in my acts of consecration or at the penitent-form?
8. Is my example in harmony with my profession?
9. Am I conscious of any pride or haughtiness in my manner or bearing?
10. Do I conform to the fashions and customs of the world, or do I show that I despise them?
11. Am I in danger of being carried away with worldly desire to be rich or admired?
Ask yourself some hard questions today....
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Back from Family Camp
Hello Soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus,
Just a quick update on a great family camp. To update all Homer Corps soldiers and adherents, please remember that today is our commodities feeding program and we could use your help from 2-4 pm. I also want to remind all of you that Captain Michelle and the girls will be leaving late tonight to visit her mom in Wyoming, please keep her (and me) in your prayers.
There was great teaching at camp this week and the Holy Spirit moved in a special way on Sunday morning. God is Great!
One last update - I should start posting again daily (Lord willing) beginning tomorrow and will probably have an emphasis on "devotions / daily rations" and "self-examination" topics since I just taught on it this weekend and it's fresh on my heart.
SO... keep checking back, keep us in your prayers, and it's good to be home.
Spend some time alone with God today in prayer, study, and worship.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Just a quick update on a great family camp. To update all Homer Corps soldiers and adherents, please remember that today is our commodities feeding program and we could use your help from 2-4 pm. I also want to remind all of you that Captain Michelle and the girls will be leaving late tonight to visit her mom in Wyoming, please keep her (and me) in your prayers.
There was great teaching at camp this week and the Holy Spirit moved in a special way on Sunday morning. God is Great!
One last update - I should start posting again daily (Lord willing) beginning tomorrow and will probably have an emphasis on "devotions / daily rations" and "self-examination" topics since I just taught on it this weekend and it's fresh on my heart.
SO... keep checking back, keep us in your prayers, and it's good to be home.
Spend some time alone with God today in prayer, study, and worship.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
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