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.
Tim Tebow
April 29, 2013
For those of you who follow sports, you have probably heard, by now, that Tim Tebow has been waived by the New York Jets. As a fan of this Christian athlete, I am glad that he is leaving the “Big Apple.” It was a bad match from the start. His previous team, the Denver Broncos, did not have his best interest at heart when they traded him last year.
Tim, however, is an amazing person. He has had success in his profession at all levels: high school, college and in professional football. Now, some would argue with me on that last level, but Tim did something as a Denver Broncos quarterback that Peyton Manning has yet to do: win a playoff game. And he did it not with his legs, but on an overtime eighty-yard pass play.
Tim is successful for several reasons. First of all, he has the drive and desire to win like Michael Jordan had with the Chicago Bulls. Secondly, he has the “hustle” of a player like Pete Rose who starred with the Cincinnati Reds for many years. Also, Tim has the integrity of a man like Kurt Warner who defeated the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV as the starting quarterback of the St. Louis Rams.
The main reason, however, for Tim’s success is his faith in Jesus Christ. He is like the Apostle Paul who wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Tim may never win a Super Bowl (I believe he will, however), but his life has been one of sharing his faith in God. And that, more than anything else, is the hallmark of a life well-lived.
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: npr.org
The Race
April 27, 2013
As I am watching tonight’s NASCAR race from Richmond, Virginia tonight, I am thankful for two things: One, that there is still one sport that is unafraid to pray “in Jesus’ name” before the start of the race, and, two, that we live in a country where we still have “freedom of speech and religion.” NASCAR has refused to bow to the pressure to refrain from praying in Jesus Christ’s name like the other major sports have done. For this, I salute them!
And on the subject of racing, the writer of Hebrews compared the Christian walk to a race. He wrote, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Just as every car driven tonight wants to be as light as possible in order to win, we, as Christians, need to be unfettered so that we can finish the “race” strong.
Basically, the writer of this passage of Scripture is telling us this: “Others have done this (finished the race), and you can do it too! Don’t give up! Keep plugging away!” He is exhorting and encouraging us to look at those who have been faithful so that we, too, will be faithful to the Lord in this race that we call life.
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: autoweek.com
A Song of Comfort
April 17, 2013
We have seen some dreadful and fearful things this week with the events that have transpired in Boston, Massachusetts. It makes for feelings of sadness, grief, despair, and anger, among others. We cannot imagine the awful things that the victims and their loved ones are going through at this time. Prayer is the only thing that we can do right now.
We, as Christians, know that the Lord will help those who call on Him, and that He promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV). The Bible is full of occurrences where people were facing circumstances that seemed impossible, but Jesus came to their aid and rescue.
For example, David, before he became King of Israel, was being pursued by King Saul. Although David was innocent of any wrongdoing, he was being treated as if he was “public enemy number one” by the envious ruler, Saul. And yet, in the midst of all of the injustice (some scholars think), David was able to write a song that has been a comfort to humanity for three-thousand years. His song is one that I’m sure many are turning to during these trying days.
David writes, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23, KJV).
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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: history.com
