The Kingdom of Heaven
May 23, 2013
About five years ago, I was introduced to a passage of Scripture that, previously, I had not been exposed to that often. Jesus said, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12, KJV). Jesus, a few verses earlier, had been giving the account of the greatness of his cousin, John the Baptist. But what does Jesus mean here?
Once again, the Amplifed Bible gives a great interpretation of this verse. In this version, it says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]” (Matthew 11:12, AMP).
Our entrance into heaven won’t be by accident or happen nonchalantly. It will take great effort according to this verse of Scripture. “Lord, help me to seek the kingdom of heaven with ‘most ardent zeal.’”
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission.” (www.Lockman.org)
Photo: shieldoffaith62.blogspot.com
The Problem of Evil
May 20, 2013
There is a belief within philosophical thought that “God does not exist because there is evil in the world.” Or in other words, because there are wars, murders, disease or tornadoes, like the one that hit Norman, OK today, there could not be a God. This philosophy says also, “that if God existed and was good and omnipotent, He would not allow catastrophes and evil (like those mentioned before) to happen.”
How can a philosophy state that “God does not exist because of the existence of evil?” Yes, there is evil in the world, but it does not prove that God does not exist. It proves that humanity is fallen due to sin, and that God created humanity with the ability to choose either good or evil.
Blaming God for the evil that is in the world is not only ignorant, it is evil in itself. One of God’s attributes is His “goodness.” The Psalmist wrote, “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1). How could a God who loves His creation and sent His Son to save the world be the instigator of evil? He is not! Evil came about when man believed Satan and sinned in the garden.
In the midst of evil, God shows up to save, deliver and heal. In fact, as the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God has provided for our spiritual and physical needs. We can know that if we are trusting in Jesus, He will intervene to help us in the hour of need.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
Photo: breakingnews.com
The Poor in Spirit
May 18, 2013
When Jesus preached the most famous sermon ever, “The Sermon on the Mount,” part of this message contained what we call, “The Beatitudes.” These words that the Lord gave us in this sermon included instruction on everything from fasting to praying to giving to marriage and a whole host of other topics important to the race of man. “The Beatitudes,” however, are probably some of the most quoted of Jesus’s sayings.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter five, verse three, Jesus says, “‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’” (KJV). I’ve heard these words from the Bible all of my life, but, sometimes, I like to get a deeper understanding of what the Savior was trying to say. And just like we pick up a dictionary when we want the definition of a word, we are able to pick up a different translation of the Bible or a commentary to help us see more clearly into God’s Word.
The Amplified Bible explains the phrase “poor in spirit” unlike any way that I have heard it explained before. It says, “‘Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!’” (Matthew 5:3, Amplified). The ability for one to “rate themselves insignificant” is only something that one could do with the help of the Lord. “Poor in spirit” takes on a whole new meaning in the light of this revelation. The Lord, here, isn’t saying that one should view oneself as “worthless” but as “not important.” If one is looking at himself in this manner, his priorities are, indeed, placed correctly.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
“Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission.” (www.Lockman.org)
Photo: joeiovino.com
Spiritual Renewal
May 17, 2013
Five years ago last night, I finished thirty-three consecutive nights of revival services (April 14, 2008 to May 16, 2008). It was one of the greatest times of my life. I wouldn’t trade anything for it.
I would “end up” attending fifty-eight nights of this six-month revival, here, in the heart-of-Florida. People would come from all over the world (approximately 300,000) for this outpouring from God. It was to be a life-changing event for me.
Specifically, before this time, I needed direction from the Lord. And, out of this “great awakening,” would come a thirty-six-thousand dollar scholarship to seminary (which led to an M.A. in Christian Ministries). Also, Jesus led us to the church that we are now attending due to this revival (we are now leading the evangelism ministry of this church). Overall, God did some amazing things during the Spring and Summer of 2008. To God be the glory!
But when I would invite people, during this time, to come to the services. I wouldn’t say, “come and see people being healed,” or “come see people get saved or filled with the Spirit.” I would say, “come and experience the power and the presence of God.” That is what would draw me back night after night: the power and presence of God!
The Genealogy of Jesus
May 13, 2013
In the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, the writer lists the “ancestors” of Jesus (though, technically, Jesus has always been). The Bible says, “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations” (Matthew 1:17). Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience, and he is trying to impress upon them the “Jewishness” of Jesus.
It is interesting to note that God does two of His greatest works (the calling of Abraham and the installation of David as king) at the beginning and ending of the first genealogical segment in Matthew’s Gospel. The middle listings of ancestors are the kings of Israel or Judean kings. God, then, does His greatest work (the gift of His Son) at the end of the third generational period.
In Luke’s Gospel, however, Jesus’s lineage is traced all the way back to Adam. Luke links Jesus all the way back to the first man.
On the subject of Jesus and of the genealogical lines that were spoken of previously, when I was in seminary, one of my professors said, “I have to believe in Abraham.” What he was saying, in effect, was that he did not believe in the Bible’s accounts of the predecessors of Abraham. He did not believe in an actual “Adam” because he believed in the theory of evolution. Of evolution this same professor stated, “I don’t care that I’m evolving as long as I’m evolving well.” So, basically, without saying it, he believed the men listed before Abraham were mythological in nature.
This is the problem of “picking and choosing” which parts of the Bible one chooses to believe in. It casts doubt on the entire book. If some parts of the Bible are untrue, then the whole “thing” falls apart.
I am so glad that I was taught to believe that God’s Word is true from beginning to end. I believe in an actual “Adam,” an actual “Abraham,” an actual “David,” and a man called Jesus. And this man called Jesus is coming soon as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” These truths are undeniable.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
Photo: examiner.com
Evangelist Steve Hill
May 12, 2013
For those of you who follow this blog, you know that I am a big believer in revival. My wife and I have had the privilege of attending three of the biggest revivals to have “hit” Florida in the past eighteen years. One of those was the Brownsville Revival which began on Father’s Day 1995 in Pensacola, Florida. This revival impacted the state, nation and the entire planet. Millions of people came from all over the world for this outpouring from God.
For the last five years, my wife and I have been members of Faith Assembly of God in Orlando, Florida. The senior pastor of our church is Carl Stephens, and we have been given the privilege of heading up the evangelism ministry of the church.
I found out this morning, after the 11:15 am service, that this same evangelist, Steve Hill, that was used so greatly by God in the Brownsville Revival is coming to our church! And not only that, he is coming on Father’s Day, eighteen years to the day of the beginning of the Brownsville Revival! This is monumental! Praise the Lord! I am believing that God is going to do great things, and Jesus is going to be lifted up! Let revival come!
Photo: charismanews.com
Paul’s Epistle to the Romans
May 11, 2013
Some have said that if the only book of the Bible that was available to man was the book of Romans, it would be enough. For in it, all that is necessary for salvation through Jesus Christ can be found. This Letter to the Romans could be called Paul’s “magnum opus” or “greatest work.”
For the last two weeks, I have been studying Romans by taking one chapter, daily, and looking at it in six Bible versions (NIV, KJV, AMP, NRSV, HCSB and the Greek New Testament). The study of this sixteen-chapter book of the New Testament has been a very productive and beneficial one.
Today, at the Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont, Florida, I was looking into the fifteenth chapter of Paul’s writing. And the passage that I focused on was verse four which says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Isn’t it amazing to know that all one has to do to have hope for any circumstance is to open up God’s Word and let it do its work?
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
Photo: 1611kingjamesbible.com
My Mom
May 7, 2013
As we approach Mother’s Day, I would like to take time to say a few words about my Mom. I’ve had this blog for about two years, and I have yet to do a tribute solely on her life and influence on me. She has, indeed, been one of the greatest gifts that God could have given me.
Aside from being a great mother to my brother, Darrin, and myself, she has been a pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, children’s church director, vacation Bible school worker, soul-winning teacher, small group (church) leader, counselor and the list goes on and on. She has “played” many roles in helping spread the news of salvation found through Jesus, and she will receive a great reward from the Lord one day.
This year, however, her health has not been good. She has been in the hospital four times since Jan. 2, and she is, currently, in a rehabilitation center for the third time this year. She needs several miracles from the Lord (which I believe are coming).
Her life has not been an easy one, but she has persevered and endured. Her faithfulness to the Lord and her family has been the hallmark of her seventy-six years on planet Earth. Her relationship to Jesus has been unwavering.
But for me, no one played a greater part in my coming to know Jesus than Marguerite Sholar. She used to read Scripture verses to my brother and I, and she would have us memorize God’s Word as well. She prayed with us and for us. Basically, she lived the life that we could emulate. And when I gave my heart to Jesus on May 27, 1975 , she was there with my Dad to help me find my way to the Savior. I am forever indebted to her. “Thank you, Lord, for giving me a Mom that was concerned with my physical and spiritual needs.”
Interfaithism
May 2, 2013
Although I cherish the time I spent in seminary and am thankful for the way God provided for me to attend, I would not recommend this experience to one under the age of thirty-five. I believe one should be firmly rooted and grounded in their faith before attending a theological school because it could be confusing for a young person just finishing college. Not all professors believe the same, and some present unscriptural thoughts.
One belief that seems to be gaining ground (though not at my seminary at the time I was there) is interfaithism. Basically, this belief system tries to link all of the religions together and tries to find similarities in the many differing faiths. This is a very dangerous and heretical doctrine, or should I say, lack of doctrine.
What separates Christianity from the other of the religions (Christianity is not a religion, by the way, it is a relationship) is the truth that Jesus is the Son of God sent to die for the sins of humanity. We believe He was born of a virgin, and that He rose from the dead and ascended back to the Father in heaven. We believe He is returning to Earth as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” The other “religions” don’t share these fundamental tenets in their belief systems. Therefore, even if there should be some shared beliefs, it would not change the fact that the other faiths deny the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.
Interfaithism is the new relativism which is “whatever works for you is okay.” Or in other words, “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something.” Jesus was emphatic, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Any belief system that denies Jesus as the Christ, or Anointed One, is not of God! Believing in Jesus is the only way to be saved.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
No Other Name
April 30, 2013
In the Orlando, FL area, I see, from time to time, a bumper sticker like the one seen above: “Coexist.” What the creators of this slogan are saying is that all religions worship the same God. Or, in other words, “it doesn’t matter what you worship as long as you worship something.” Jesus, however, had quite a bit to say on this issue as did several New Testament writers.
John writes in his Gospel, “Jesus saith unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me’” (John 14:6). Some of the other religions recognize Jesus as a good man, teacher or prophet, but they do not acknowledge Him as the Son of God. That’s the problem. If one doesn’t believe that Jesus is God’s Son, then it is a denial of His deity and Lordship. What the other religions say is that Jesus was “just a man” and not God. So how can we all be worshiping the same God when these other “faiths” deny His being the Second Member of the Godhead? In fact, we cannot.
In the Book of Acts, Luke quotes Peter on the Day of Pentecost who states, regarding Jesus, “‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved’” (Acts 4:12). There isn’t any wiggle room here. One either believes in Jesus and that He was sent from God, or one doesn’t.
John also wrote, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). John doesn’t mince his words, here, does he?
The good news is that Jesus is knocking on the door of men’s hearts, and His desire is that all be saved from hell. That is why He was sent.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
