In His Presence on Holy Ground

This was the theme of this years Youth Ablaze conference put on by Chili Bible Baptist Church (Pastor Hal Roscoe).
Bro. Hal always has a great gathering of many church youth groups reaching from CT to PA to GA etc.
The preaching is always doctinally solid and spirit-filled, the sobriety of the services is appropriate for the fact that eternal souls are on the line and at every moment of that conference there is a spiritual battle raging for these youth and teens. That said, the atmosphere is still fun, friendly and activity loaded for the kids at approriate times.

I was blessed and ministered to in many ways this year.
One - I was encouraged and had my soul stirred by the godly music. There is just something about 700+ people singing out the great scripture filled hymns of the faith and rejoice in what Christ has done for us.
To see a youth choir assembled and singing "Its through the blood", "Such a lovely name", "Standing on Holy Ground" and many others made me about jump out of my seat. It was God honoring and encouraged humility, joy, appreciation and worship.
Secondly - the preaching. For a youth conference to have such a serious theme is surprising but it was clear that it was what God would have. People responded, in droves to the altar. When God's men preach God's message to God's people for God's glory - they will respond - they need to respond - the altars need to be open - they need to cast their burdens upon the Lord. When they move, guess what, the more God is magnified and yielded to by His children, the more the lost tend to move as well. Having some excitement for God has an impact on the lost.
Third, the souls - by the beginning of the service on friday night - 21 people had responded to the gospel - getting out of their seats and going to the old fashioned altar and having someone show them from the Bible how to be saved. Kids were saved at the hotel where they stayed as well. It was a great time of rejoicing at the event - JUST IMAGINE THE REJOICING IN HEAVEN. I dont know what the final count was but God knows. Many tears were shed and hugs were given at the altar. Another bold measure of testimony was seeing all those who made a profession to stand up during the service as a way of testimony. I realize that conferences are long, sleep is at a premium and often music and messages could even intentionally be catered to bring people to emotional peaks. I did not see this here. On friday night - before the preacher even came, while an adult Choir was singing there were many that came to the altar - it was not induced or called for - this lasted a good half hour, it was blessed time of the Spirit of God moving. O, for our altars to be filled!
Fourth - the experienced missionary - bro. Sinde to Crete was a blessing to us. Bro. Hal had all Pastors and missionaries introduce themselves and so after Thursday I was asked to set up a display table and be a part, that was a blessing by itself. Beyond that though, Bro. Sinde was just a great source of brotherhood and counsel in sharing deputation stories, testimonies of God's goodness and grace through trials and good practical wisdom.
Fifth - old friends. It is always good to see the many people that I have had a chance to be around in my youth - many who are now pastors or youth leaders etc. I had cousins whoe were there and even a real name out of the past - Greg Raszkowski - I went to school with his sons - Eric and Jason (pray for them). It was a good time of visiting and rejoicing in the Lord.
Sixth - Contacts. Missionary Sinde and myself were visited by a Pastor Vince from Drum Baptist Church. He was a blessing to us by giving us a CD with a database that he put together of Fundamental, Independent, King James churches around the country. It is a great resource that will assist in the phone call process.
Seventh - the Grace of God demonstrated. I had a chance to talk to Bro. Aaron O'dell on Friday night. Aaron lost his wife a while ago to Leukemia. While he daily needs a fresh anointing of grace from the Comforter, it was evident that God has been faithful to do just that in the weeks and months that have followed this loss. Keep Bro. Aaron and His family in your prayer, I know he appreciates it.

I was challenged personally in the areas of unity, daily crucifixion of self and how often it happens that people become followers of man in Christianity.
- Lot mimicked the life and practices of Abraham - when they separated, Lot was left without His own personal solid walk with God but rather with the practices and emulation of Abraham's faith. The time comes for our kids to separate from us and often for us to separate from our protective fences of our home church. Where does that leave them/us? Are we nothing more than people who have sat under the cloak of leaders and pastors who have faith or has that faith become ours - thereby equipping us to go anywhere for Christ and not end up sitting in the gate and becoming comfortable with the wickedness around us.
Praise the Lord for the many faithful churches that are spreading the gospel around us!

TV "Preachers"

Last night I watched part of the evening news where they spotlighted a prosperity gospel actor...uh "preacher" Kenneth Copeland.

It was obvious that Satan is winning some battles on multiple fronts

1. Thousands and thousands of people are being sent to hell by putting their faith in a false gospel
2. This is being done in the name of Christ - it is a blasphemous reproach to my Saviour's name - all the watchers of that program saw how clearly this ministry is for nothing more than making the preacher filthy rich
3. Millions of dollars are being given by these people who have been sold on the premise of laying up for themselves treasures on earth - would to God those people were blood bought Christians - investing in the true work of spreading the gospel around the world
4. As a result of these pawns of Satan - the attention has been turned to the question of "Should ministries have the tax benefits that they now do?" - Surely Satan would love to try to close the doors on some solid works around the country by getting their tax privileges removed because of the abuse of some money hungry man that has found his niche in fleecing people for money in the guise of Christianity...

2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Would that we would be discerning in todays age - whether the teaching decieve through the prosperity gospel, through messages of "God only has wonderful things for you" with no mention of sin, repentance or judgment, through the seeker sensitive and emergent church movements that pervert the holiness of God and use a cloak of liberty to justify wickedness, through mancentered philosophy...the list goes on

We have a subtle enemy - a great deciever - able to transform into a minister of light

Satan would love nothing more than to see billions of people around this world sitting in church pews - so long as the message being preached and the faith being adhered to is one of rituals, works, covetousness and prosperity gospels - not of godly sorrow, repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ alone

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith...

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Throw their books in the trash, shut off their programs and lets pick up our Bibles and learn some discernment, amen?

There are billions of souls who have died without salvation, who would trade this world away for one more chance - the real gospel needs to be earnestly contended for - now!

Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is this a condemnation of all TV preachers, no, quite honestly I dont watch them - perhaps there are some that are sincere and have only the best intentions... but i'd be very careful - check out their websites and compare their doctrine with the Bible. Consider the fact that they are trying to solicit money from you rather than encouraging you to go to a Bible believing local church for your edification, encouragement, the work of the ministry and the giving of the Lord's tithes and your offerings.

Ishi

Driving home from prayer meeting last night I was listening to a message from Keith Daniel. His topic was love and as he is a man of strong belief in separation and standards, he also realizes that without love, holiness is ugly. Without love - anything is ugly. After all, this is the principle behind 1 Cor. 13. You can be the best speaker, have all faith, all zeal, all knowledge, be generous etc, etc but without love - nothing. On the other hand, with love, holiness is beautiful, separation is a powerful testimony and serves as a protective measure from the subtleties of Satan. So this morning I read in Hosea and stopped at this verse.

Hos 2:16 And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

Yeah, thats what I said - Huh?

I thought wow, I know alot of the names of God but I suppose I haven't studied or meditated upon Ishi. So, I looked it up. The meanings behind the names are that they both are appropriate and fitting titles for God but Baali denotes more of God as LORD - worthy of our fear and reverence and wary of crossing Him as we know His perfection and righteousness.

Ishi on the other hand is a title that denotes all the things we love to recognize about God - His love and compassion, His goodness, grace and longsuffering nature.

It is a prophecy that there will come a day when Israel will serve Jesus Christ, with a love, a joy, an overwhelming sense of appreciation and warmth.

May that be our motive today and everyday, recognizing, appreciating and as a result - reflecting the Love of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Happy New Year

Thanks and love go out to all our friends and family in Christ this New Year

Charles Spurgeon was once asked, "How do you defend the Bible?" "Very easy" he responded. "The same way I defend a lion. I simply let it out of its cage."

I pray that this year all of us will let the Bible out of its cage regularly.

Proclaim the name of Jesus, Magnify the name of Jesus, Glorify the name of Jesus, Praise the name of Jesus and let His word order your steps, comfort you in affliction, provide hope and joy, power, direction, zeal, communion with Him and impact this present evil world for His glory!