Captains Mark and Michelle are home filled with praise.

Hello Soldiers, fellow followers of Jesus, friends and family,

Just a quick update. We arrived safely home from our marathon of a trip at about 11:45 pm last night, but through all the long trip God was faithful to protect and bless.

We praise God for safe travels, for the opportunity to see corps members from our first Corps (still faithfully serving the Lord), fellow officers from other divisions, Territorial and National leaders (who were genuine and Spirit filled with vision and a Word from God), as well as an auditorium filled with waving flags, brass band, songsters, and voices lifted up in songs of praise and celebration to our Savior. We praise God for new Jr. and Sr. Soldiers as well as accepted candidates for training school (those accepted to enter our Salvation Army Seminary).

We also praise God that we have such a high calling to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this corner of His mission field called Homer Alaska. Even this morning being available for multiple people in crisis, despair, and hurting - God has called us to simply be available to share His Name, offer prayer, and pass on His resources to touch them in His Name in their time of need.

We are glad to be home and want to say thank you to our Soldiery, Staff, and Friends, who are more than competent to do His work (and also cover our commitments) in our absence. I'm glad that God's work will get done with our without me, ... but I'm so very grateful He allows me a part to play.

Tell someone about Jesus today, their eternity is at stake.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Captains are leaving for the meeting in Washington.

Hello Soldiers, corps members, and friends of The Salvation Army of Homer,

Just a quick reminder that the Captains will be out of town for the united officer meeting in Washington (Tuesday through Thursday night). The originally schedule was to meet the General, but his health has prevented his coming, please keep him in your prayers. We will now be hearing from our National Commander, and we trust that they will be speaking the Word of God.

If you are reading this - Please take a moment right now, and keep these next few days in prayer for travel, meetings, families left behind, for spiritual refreshment, and for opportunities to witness both coming and going.

FYI - I won't blog for several days, but plan (Lord permitting) to start up again on Saturday.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

A praise for a great Sunday

Sorry to report - no audio sermon today due to technical difficulties.

But praise God - He is not deterred by microphones and recorders!

Despite a lower than normal church attendance, God provided the increase at the holiness table.

We had soldiers moved again (young and old) to seek prayer for greater boldness in their evangelism, a first time visitor at the altar seeking prayer, and young people wanting to stay and talk about how they were recently invited to engage in sinful activity - report how they were given strength to not give into temptation - and their resolve to do better next time to stand with greater boldness to not only decline sin for themselves, but speak out against it in the future.

May God honor every seekers desire to better proclaim Him, be a light bearer, and a seed planter for the cause of Christ.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

This is the Lord's day, don't be so busy you miss it.

A blessed Sunday to you all, especially those of you having to miss worship at your Corps (or church) due to work or other obligations (whatever those might be).

Here is a scripture thought for you today from Exodus 5 (feel free to look it up right now). Under God's direction Moses tells Pharaoh to let His people go so they can worship Him.
Pharaoh's response was to tell the slave drivers to no longer supply straw for making bricks, make them collect their own supplies, but to keep the quota the same. Pharaoh's thought was to make the work harder for the men so they would keep working and pay no attention to the "so-called lies" that they would ever be free from slavery, and free to worship God.

There are many reasons you may have missed a time of worship today, or maybe you were at the Corps (or church) and were so busy "doing ministry", or distracted with other things, that you never really encountered God yourself. A great tool of the devil is to increase the work so there is no time for God. Don't fall into the trap!

Take time this day to worship your God, read His word for yourself, spend some time in prayer, seek His face and a new touch of His Spirit. God Himself wants you to take time to worship Him today. Who knows, you might just find that today is the day He will free you from something you're enslaved to.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Who can tell me?

Praise, prayer, and video info...

Hello soldiers, friends, and fellow followers of Jesus Christ,

3 quick updates ...

1. Some asked about how to get the video we watched on Wednesday night - "How great is our God" by Louie Giglio. His video can be purchased at this website for $10.00
http://268store.com/store/product/222/How-Great-Is-Our-God/

2. Praise and prayer... I just wanted to say how much I appreciate one of our young people ( a Jr. Soldier and Sr. Soldier in training) who has regularly been witnessing to her school mates and friend, and even taking some heat for her faith - Praise God! Wednesday night she gave up "soft-ball league" commitments in order to bring a Buddhist friend to church. He has been asking questions about Christianity for a while so keep him in your prayers. We had some time to talk after the movie, and even had some time while driving him home after. Seeds of the faith were planted, may God help them take root and allow this young mans spiritual search to end by finding Jesus as the only way to be saved for eternity.

3. Praise and prayer... Reminder that another soldier was sought out at the grocery store and asked by a non-believer for prayer - the soldier took some time with them and then said the church would be praying - keep this seeker in your prayer that the faithful witness and words of a soldier of Jesus would take root and this lost soul would come to put their faith in Jesus for their eternal salvation from hell to heaven.

God bless all of your effort to faithfully bring up the gospel with everyone you meet in all your daily encounters.

God bless The Salvation Army around the world, and our faithful followers of Jesus everywhere.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

May your heart break and your mouth open.

One tear will often do more to unlock the hardest heart than a bushel full of arguments. — Frederick Booth-Tucker

Let your heart be broken by the thought of those around you spending eternity suffering in Hell, remind yourself that you can play a part in them escaping that fate and finding an abundant life now and eternity in paradise forever.

Catherine Booth in "Aggressive Christianity" said... Men are preoccupied, and it is for us to go and force it upon their attention. Remember, you can do it. There is some one soul that you have more influence with than any other person on earth--some soul or souls. Are you doing all you can for their salvation? Your relatives, friends, and acquaintances are to be rescued. ... ... ... There they are, to be looked at, and talked with, and questioned--people rescued from the depths of sin, degradation, and woe--saved from the worst forms of crime and infamy; and, if He can do that, He can have your genteel friends, if only you will go to them desperately and determinedly. Take them lovingly by the button-hole, and say, `My dear friend, I never spoke to you closely, carefully, and prayerfully about your soul.' Let them see the tears in your eyes; or, if you cannot weep, let them hear the tears in your voice, and let them realize that you feel their danger, and are in distress for them. God will give His Holy Spirit, and they will be saved.

Tell someone you know or meet today that Jesus died and rose again to save a sinner LIKE YOU ARE, tell them they can be saved from sin, sinning, and hell LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN (if that indeed is true) and then invite them to experience that truth for themselves today.

For all who will confess (admit) and repent (turn from their sin to God) from their sins (their failing to live up to the perfect standard of God) and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior (trust in Jesus alone to save you, and give Him alone the right to reign supreme in your life) He will save you from sin and hell, for abundant holy living now and heaven forever.

May our hearts break and open our mouths to share the gospel.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Captains meditation on Numbers 14

Read again Numbers 14 - what an amazing piece of scripture. I was just meditating on the fact again that "the tongue has the power of life and death". What we profess and claim (in Jesus Name) greatly impacts what we receive.

Just some points again as I read through Numbers 14...

1. The people grumbled against God's leaders saying if only we had died in Egypt or the desert, we should choose a leader and return. - How often do we forget all we have been delivered from and we are willing to go back to old ways as opposed to claiming new ground for God.

2. The profession of men who trust God enough to say, "If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

3. The Lord's anger at lack of faith, disbelief, and testing God, by refusal to obey Him and take Him at His Word - to do that is to treat God with contempt.

4. The example of godly men standing in the gap for others.

5. God notices men who follow Him with a "different spirit and follows him wholeheartedly".

6. The Israelites were not willing to go when God said "go", but where willing (in their presumption) to attack the enemy after God had spoken "don't".

For prayerful meditation...

• Lord keep my mouth and heart from grumbling against You and your leaders.
• Help me never desire anything that you have delivered me from before.
• Grant me the continual desire to claim to ground your Word says I can surely have.
• Help me daily profess, "If the Lord is please with me, he will lead me into the land and promises He has prepared for me.
• May I never fear any enemy when You are for me.
• Help me to walk by faith and simply take you at your Word.
• Continue to develop me into a man that consistently stands in the gap for others and who has a different spirit that will follow you wholeheartedly.
• May I always go when you say go, but never run into a battle either in presumption (not first seeking your will) or worse - running into a fight when you have said "be still".

Live holy, preach Jesus!

I believe we shall win - By faith do we live like it's true?

Song 820 in The Salvation Army songbook gives us this truth...

1. We're a band that shall conquer the foe,
If we fight in the strength of the King;
With the sword of the Spirit, we know,
We sinners to Jesus shall bring.

Chorus:

I believe we shall win,
If we fight in the strength of the King.
I believe we shall win,
If we fight in the strength of the King.

2. We have conquered in times that are past,
And scattered the foe from the field;
So we'll fight for the King to the last,
And the sword of the Spirit we'll wield.

3. Our foe may be mighty and brave,
And the fighting be hard and severe;
But the King is the mighty to save,
And in conflict he always is near.

4. In the name of the King we will fight,
With our banners unfurled to the breeze;
We will battle for God and the right,
And the kingdom of Satan we'll seize.

5. Ever true to the Army and God,
We will fight in the name of the King;
We shall win with the fire and the blood,
And the world to his feet we shall bring.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Sunday's Sermon - Balaam 3 - under the umbrella of holiness

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

For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.

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!

Salvation Army Songbook # 458

Prayerfully consider these words penned by William Dunn Longstaff (1822-94)

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word;
Make friends of God's children; help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.

2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.

3. Take time to be holy, let him be thy guide,
And run not before him whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.

4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive beneath his control;
Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

That's my King! Do you know Him?

Captain's meditation on 1 Thes. 2:2-5

1 Thessalonians 2:2-5 Paul writes... We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

What should be our motivation to share the gospel even in the midst of strong opposition. You are speaking as a person approved of God and entrusted with His gospel, and He will test your heart.

Someone has said, "we fear man so much because we fear God so little".

A few months back I was talking with a man and turned the conversation to spiritual things. The man simply and plainly stated what he believed about "many ways to heaven" and "all the gods are really the same thing" and "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe". Since time was short I simply replied plainly in return that I believed what the bible stated, that "Jesus is the only way to heaven to escape hell". Immediately he said (offended), "well I don't think it's our job to shove our religion on anybody else". My response was, "I completely agree - I don't ever want to shove my religion on anybody, but you'd have to admit" I said, "if I believed I knew the only way to escape hell and find heaven, and that I was supposed to love others, and it didn't cost me anything to share it with others, and I didn't do it, you'd think I was the biggest hypocrite in the world". To which he nodded in agreement and admitted, "you're probably right".

Have you noticed that when the topic of spiritual things comes up the world will state plainly, boldly, and to the point, without apology what they believe. Why is it that so many Christians don't state plainly, to the point, and without apology the TRUTH of our Lord's Gospel?

Paul said, "with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Of course we don't try to be offense, but it is your God given mandate to preach the gospel to all creation. Don't be afraid someone might be "offended", be more afraid they would spend eternity in hell when you could have told them the truth, and with righteous fear be more concerned that God will test our hearts, and we must not be trying to please men, but God.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Captain's meditation on Ephesians 1:3-4

Ephesians 1:3-4 says... Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Jesus not only saves from sin and hell, but from sinning as well.

We are chosen not only to escape hell and be acceptable to God (by faith in Jesus alone because of the work He did on the cross), but we are to be holy and blameless NOW.

Later in chapter 4 of Ephesians Paul says again to live a life worthy of the calling we have received and then again in chapter 4 (in between more basic rules for holy living while here on earth) we read verse 22-24 ... You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

We have been saved from the power of sin, that we can now say NO to every temptation, and we can daily, moment by moment, choose to please and glorify God.

So again today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!

Captain's meditation on John 3:19-21 - holiness and transparency

John 3:19-21 says... This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

When we as follower of Jesus begin to live lives of holiness, walking in the light of God, our lives must be one of transparency.

I'm not sure who asked the question first (John Wesley or someone else?) but the question is still relevant now, "Have you nothing you desire to keep secret".

As a follower of Jesus, we must live holy and transparent lives, free of hypocrisy, no double standard, nothing but integrity with our actions matching the life and teaching of Jesus and His Holy Word to us.

Have you nothing you desire to keep secret today? If you do have something, confess it, repent of it, and be free of it.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Make straight the way for the Lord

John the Baptist did no miracles. Elijah performed miracle after miracle. Daniel interpreted dreams for kings and he and his friends impacted an entire nation. Jeremiah and Isaiah were two of Israel's greatest prophetic voices. Jesus built his church through the twelve disciples. But Jesus made a profound declaration about this man who performed no miracles - He is the greatest among all the prophets.

"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matt 11:11-12).

John 7:19-23 tells us... Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

Jesus said among those born of women there was none greater than John the Baptist, WHY? Because he was the one who pointed and directed others directly to Jesus Himself and told others to make straight the way for the Lord.

How can you be declared great by God today - simply make straight the way for the Lord. Make it your goal to point others to Jesus in all you do. Make sure you tell others that Jesus came and is coming again, and to be ready.

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus today, if not confess (admit it) and repent of your sin (turn away from in and turn to Jesus), and put your faith in Jesus (simply trust in Him alone for your salvation from sin and hell). Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then live like it. Study and obey His word, and accept His Spirit, and live a life of holiness unto the Lord. Finally spend your time telling others about Jesus so that they too can be saved from hell for heaven, and from sinful living to abundant holy living.

You want to be great for Jesus today...
Live holy, preach Jesus!

Sunday's Sermon - Balaam 2 - From sorcery to situational ethic to Spirit filled

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


For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF of my preaching notes.

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!

A blessed Sunday to you - pondering Psalm 40

Take the time to look up Psalm 40 today and read it through a few times slowly - and consider how worship naturally includes verbal declaration.

We discussed this just last week at church that over and over when you read of God doing something in, around, or through you, the appropriate response always includes a verbal declaration.

Here are just a few verses (read the whole psalm for yourself) and consider how many times the psalmist mentions that he must verbally respond to God.

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God... 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. ... 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.... 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"

Look again at how his worship causes him to verbally talk with God and pour out his heart.

The right response for all God has done for us includes lives of holiness and lips that forever give Him praise, and tell others of Him.

On this Sunday take some time to verbally give Him praise, not just to Him, but to others.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

Another interview wtih God? Please watch.

What is "the gospel" or the good news?

Jesus Christ died and rose again to make a way for you to come to God...

#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’d all fall short. No one gets 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 your 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)

All of us, 100% , will die someday. Everyone will someday 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 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)

The bible says, “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 doesn’t earn us a place in heaven, we just aren’t good enough. Imagine someone telling a judge who sentenced you to prison, that although you broke the law, you did 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, each offense deserving the death.)

#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 will let you transplant your cancer cells for Jesus’ healthy ones. Jesus made a way to take your cancer cells and the death they bring (cells called sins) and deposited His right cells (His righteousness) on your behalf (when you accept Him). The transplant means He had to die for you to get a new (eternal) life spent in heaven.

If while sentenced to prison, having no way to “bail yourself out”, someone paid your fine, justice could be served and you could still go free. That’s what Jesus did at the cross, paid your fine so you could go free, but you must accept His gift, or choose punishment.

#5 How do you claim your free gift of salvation?

The gift of God is eternal life in 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. ... “anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:9-11)

To believe (or to have faith - trusting alone in Jesus to save you) requires action. The step of faith (or trust) God requires is “repentance”. To repent means to turn from our sin and live for God. If while drowning in the ocean, the coast guard threw a lifeline, belief alone is not enough. To be saved you must act, reach out, and grab it. Repenting is giving up everything else to grab hold of God.

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14;6)

Are you ready to accept Jesus on His terms? If so repent and give Him control of your life. You can pray something like this - Dear God, please forgive my every sin (name them). I believe Jesus died and rose again to save me, thank you for the promise of heaven, I give you control of my life.

Please call us at 907-235-2609, or leave a comment here and we will rejoice with you.

Live holy, preach Jesus!