My Church Proposal

By Dale Linton

It’s possible God may be leading me to approach church leadership as to be a vessel used to promote unity in the body of Christ. This is a tall order and the Holy Spirit is the only, and I mean the only, one who can do this. So I must be able to present something to pastors and their administration that does not appear as if I’m trying to tell them something they do not know! How would the Lord have me to do this? First, my heart must be genuine in desiring to unite with them. Secondly, what I’m presenting must have worked in me to make me desire to unify with them. This opens doors to God igniting His spiritual creativity in the participants, such that there becomes a like minded atmosphere. Barriers to who is presenting and who is receiving begin to break down as roles are reversed and shared, leaving self focus on the side line. This atmosphere may be described scripturaly as, “coming together in His name”, and He is there! (more…)

“Wait Upon The Lord”

By Steve Countryman

Nothing can separate you from the love of God. God who cares enough about you that He not only knows you better than you know you but God wants to be involved in EVERY decision you make. Not just the big ones but ALL of them. When Jesus lives within you it is in every day living. It is the habitation of the Holy Spirit, Jesus and the Father. Not visitation like on most Sundays but a daily habitation. “But I’m not worthy of God’s habitation?” Jesus makes you worthy and deserving. Sin and un-forgiveness are the two things that will remove you from God’s presence in your life. I said His presence not His love. The truth about removing God’s presence is that God doesn’t remove Himself from us but by our sin and un-forgiveness that we remove ourselves from His presence. (more…)

Wintery Theology

By Anthony Weber

An unexpected storm dumped about 2 feet of snow here in Traverse City last night. Snow blanketed everything, as if Thomas Kinkade had personally orchestrated the event. The view from my window this morning was stunning.

But the beauty of winter is a mixed blessing. While the snow hangs delightfully on the trees, and my boys made a 6-foot-tall snowball, and snowmobilers are out in force, there is downside. Thousands are without power, a lot of people ended up in the ditch, and the city declared a State of Emergency. (more…)

THE BEAUTY OF BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

By SIXTUS ONYEANUSI

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22:23.

It is God’s utmost desire for us to be first of all fruitful in life, that is, being full of the fruit of His Spirit in us as He detailed in the book of Galatians chapter 5. It’s important because those virtues depict His image and likeness in us; they vividly express the presence of Jesus living in us. (more…)

Enjoy Life-Life in Jesus Christ

By Ngozi Nwoke

How has life been to you? Would you recommend your type of life to someone else? Life really can be full of excitement if you have the right foundation. This article tells you why life in Jesus Christ enables you to enjoy life

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name – John 20:31 (KJV) (Emphasis mine) (more…)

Holiness and Victory Over Sin #20

By Karl Kemp

Holy Father, we humble our hearts before you. We’re making it a top priority to understand your Word. We want to understand it. We want to live it. We want to be fully ready to stand before you. We pray in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!

I’ll always quote from the New American Standard Bible, unless I mention otherwise. Sometimes I make comments in the middle of quotations using brackets [ ] or [[ ]] to make them more obvious. (more…)

Where does the Allmighty stand on our perseptions of hell?

Where does the Allmighty stand on our perseptions of hell?
By paul killingbeck

The requirements of one seeking the truth of God on matters such as hell, takes a well committed individual that seeks God through his word; The Holy Bible. Both old and new Testiments need to be deeply investigated in order for one to get a clearer understanding of God and his desire for his creation to receive righteousness. Not all humankind have the abilities to conceive the wisdom that is offered here. It takes commitment to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, which begins upon what Christians call rebirth. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. From Jesus’ own lips, came the command for those who would overcome the temptations of life by dedicating their love to him because of their new found life of a forgiven sinner. (more…)

Words

By Steve Countryman

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Ephesians 4:29-32 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (more…)

The Fruit of the Spirit

By Dave Ingram

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. In the Bible, the word “fruit” is frequently used to refer to the results of someone’s labor, behavior or attitudes. Thus, the fruit of the spirit consists of those traits which manifest themselves in believers’ lives as a result of leading a Spirit-filled life and continually seeking after God. In John 16:7-15, Jesus explains that He is about to send His Holy Spirit as an advocate and guide to the believers until Jesus’ return. Guided by the Holy Spirit, each of our lives can begin to display all nine characteristics of the fruit of the spirit. (more…)

The Blessedness of Patience

By Yooko Dawson-Andoh

Ordinarily, patience is not one of the virtues strongly desired, sought after or prayed for because of its nature. Patience is not glamorous, attractive, or appealing in the midst of congregation of believers as the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God the Father 1 Corinthians 12:-10, Romans 12:6 and James 1:17. And yet when you possess this virtue, it makes you stand out and noticeable amongst Brothers, Sisters and even those who are not of the same faith. When the degree of prevailing conditions are very hot or of such intensity that makes you jittery, desperate or loose hope of the promises of God, patience displays its qualities that enable you wait for the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ. For without it, desperation can lead you to wrong choices and decisions that end you up in paths of destruction. (more…)

The Bible

The Bible
By Michael Hume

Opening my bible is like entering a portal into another dimension. Instantly I am transported to heaven, and my worldly worries and cares dissipate as I read more and more. By about 20 pages God has refreshed me at least, and at most done a lot more, and spoken to me with key specific verses targetting responses to my situations.

Reading the bible is like gazing at Gods face. You are quietly launched into His realm, presence and way of thinking and being. This is so far removed from the world’s ways and therefore most refreshing, and quite a relief. (more…)

Miracle Lightning Strike!

By BILL HUNT

Can you witness to someone who speaks another language? Dark haired and dark eyed, this striking uniformed woman entered the crowded gift shop in Central Florida. The Hebrew on her uniform told me she was a traveling Israeli Army officer. An elderly American couple accompanied her. When I greeted the strangers by the impulse of the Holy Spirit, the elderly Christian woman explained she personally never took the opportunity to witness Christ to her Hebrew friend. They met her in Israel. (more…)

How To Change Your Life

By Sierra Mackenzie

Paul tells us in Ephesians that God will grant you according to His riches in glory, to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man. Strength by the Spirit of God is the most desirable strength. It is not within you to develop this strength through strength training, working out or going to the gym. It is the strength of heart and spirit inside each of us, and it cannot be gained physically. It is a spiritual growth obtained through God. (more…)

Taking the Sword of the Spirit

By Rick King

July31, 2011

Are we taking up the sword of the spirit or our sword? There is truly a difference.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

In the above passage the words say the sword of the spirit. We have been taught that the Bible is the sword of the spirit. This is true but this has a twist to it that if you do not grasp, then you will not walk in power. This is the spirit’s sword, not ours. The Bible tells us that: (more…)

What is the Role of a Modern Christian?

By Joseph Blaikie

Before departing from earth following his resurrection, Jesus made clear the mission of the first Christians in Matthew 28 verses 19 and 20:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (more…)