The churches which are making a mark on our culture war are those who know how to create an atmosphere. Many so called, "mega churches" are reaching only a few thousand people when they should be reaching THOUSANDS of people. The atmosphere that we create in people's lives will leave a mark for years to come. I am putting together my product table in our services and I have learned that the atmosphere I create in our services will always be the product I produce. The most valuable thing a person can take away from you as an individual is created by the atmosphere you produce. If everyday you nag and complain about something, people will feel as though they get nothing from the relationship. What sort of relationship are you breeding? An ugly one or a beautiful one?
"And it came to pas, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord." I Kings 8:10-11. Can you imagine that kind of glory...that kind of atmosphere? Where even the leadership could not stand. That is a service that you will never forget.
I remember in 1997 we had a service similar to that. The glory of the Lord was so strong that not one person was standing. They were either laying out prostrate or kneeling before the Lord. The only one that was left was our piano player. I went over and sat on the bench and he fell of the side of it. Moments latter, I fell off the other side. We were in that church till 2am! What a time.
The atmosphere created was soemthing that NONE of us will forget.
Evil spirits will depart when you have a right atmosphere. "and it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand, so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spriti departed from him." I Samuel 16:23 Can you imagine. The cloud of depression or oppression leaving you and sitting in your home completely refreshed? That is what the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit does to you.
Ask the Holy Spirit today to build an atmosphere in your life today. He will help. That is his job description. He is a helper and he is also a comforter. Hallelujah. He puts his children in comfort and he stands beside you as an aid to help you when you need help. You need HIM to make your atmosphere glorious.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Atheism
Before I reprint Ray Comfort's masterpiece of, "Why the Atheist doesn't exist", let me state a few scriptures. Last week I was negotiating two pieces of much needed audio equipment that the ministry needed. After negotiating, the business man's wife (who was born again) explained to me that she had been twittering to an atheist man and was making progress with him. We were both very excited about the good news.
Someone once said, "The evidence of God's existence far supersedes the proof of his absence." Whoo.
Romans 1:28 says, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
2 Corinthians 4:3,4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In who the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God should shine unto them."
Psalms 14:1 says, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
Romans 1:20-21 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly sen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as Go, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
Why the Atheist doesn't exist
There can be no such things as an atheist. This is why: Let's imagine that you are a professing atheist. Here are two questions for you to answer: First, do you know the combined weight of all the sand on all the beaches of Hawaii? We can safely assume that you don't. This brings us to the second question: Do you know how many hairs are on the back of a fully-grown male Tibetan yak? Probably not. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that there are some things that you don't know. It is important to ask these questions because there are some people who think they know everything.
Let's say that you know an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. To know 100 percent, you would have to know everything. There wouldn't be a rock in the universe that you would not be intimately familiar with, or a grain of sand that you would not be aware of. You would know everything that has happened in history, from that which is common knowledge to the minor details of the secret love life of Napoleon's great-grandmother's black cat's fleas. You would know every hair of every head, and every thought of every heart. All history would be laid out before you, because you would be omniscient (all-knowing).
Bear in mind that one of the greatest scientists who ever lived, Thomas Edison, said, "We do not know a millionth of one percent about anything." Let me repeat: Let's say that you have an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. Would it be possible, in the ninety-nine percent of the knowledge that you haven't yet come across, that there might be ample evidence to prove the existence of God? If you are reasonable, you will be forced to admit that it is possible. Somewhere, in the knowledge you haven't yet discovered, there could be enough evidence to prove that God does exist.
Let's look at the same thought from another angle. If I were to make an absolute statement such as, "There is no gold in China," what is needed for that statement to be proven true? I need absolute or total knowledge. I need to have information that there is no gold in any rock, in any river, in the ground, in any store, in any ring, or in any mouth (gold filling) in China. If there is one speck of gold in China, then my statement is false and I have no basis for it. I need absolute knowledge before I can make an absolute statement of that nature. Conversely, for me to say, "There is gold in China," I don't need to have all knowledge. I just need to have seen a speck of gold in the country, and the statement is then true.
To say categorically, "There is no God," is to make an absolute statement. For the statement to be true, I must know for certain that there is no God in the entire universe. No human being has all knowledge. Therefore, none of us is able to truthfully make this assertion.
If you insist upon disbelief in God, what you must say is, "Having the limited knowledge I have at present, I believe that there is no God." Owing to a lack of knowledge on your part, you don't know if God exists. So, in the strict sense of the word, you cannot be an atheist. The only true qualifier for the title is the One who has absolute knowledge, and why on earth would God want to deny His own existence?
The professing atheist is what is commonly known as an “agnostic” - one who claims he “doesn't know” if God exists. It is interesting to note that the Latin equivalent for the Greek word is “ignoramus.” The Bible tells us that this ignorance is “willful” (Psalm 10:4). It's not that a person can't find God, but that he won't. It has been rightly said that the “atheist” can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman. He knows that if he admits that there is a God, he is admitting that he is ultimately responsible to Him. This is not a pleasant thought for some.
It is said that Mussolini (the Italian dictator), once stood on a pinnacle and cried, "God, if you are there, strike me dead!" When God didn't immediately bow to his dictates, Mussolini then concluded that there was no God. However, his prayer was answered some time later.
Excerpted from God Doesn't Believe in Atheists by Ray Comfort
Someone once said, "The evidence of God's existence far supersedes the proof of his absence." Whoo.
Romans 1:28 says, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"
2 Corinthians 4:3,4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In who the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God should shine unto them."
Psalms 14:1 says, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
Romans 1:20-21 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly sen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as Go, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
Why the Atheist doesn't exist
There can be no such things as an atheist. This is why: Let's imagine that you are a professing atheist. Here are two questions for you to answer: First, do you know the combined weight of all the sand on all the beaches of Hawaii? We can safely assume that you don't. This brings us to the second question: Do you know how many hairs are on the back of a fully-grown male Tibetan yak? Probably not. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that there are some things that you don't know. It is important to ask these questions because there are some people who think they know everything.
Let's say that you know an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. To know 100 percent, you would have to know everything. There wouldn't be a rock in the universe that you would not be intimately familiar with, or a grain of sand that you would not be aware of. You would know everything that has happened in history, from that which is common knowledge to the minor details of the secret love life of Napoleon's great-grandmother's black cat's fleas. You would know every hair of every head, and every thought of every heart. All history would be laid out before you, because you would be omniscient (all-knowing).
Bear in mind that one of the greatest scientists who ever lived, Thomas Edison, said, "We do not know a millionth of one percent about anything." Let me repeat: Let's say that you have an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. Would it be possible, in the ninety-nine percent of the knowledge that you haven't yet come across, that there might be ample evidence to prove the existence of God? If you are reasonable, you will be forced to admit that it is possible. Somewhere, in the knowledge you haven't yet discovered, there could be enough evidence to prove that God does exist.
Let's look at the same thought from another angle. If I were to make an absolute statement such as, "There is no gold in China," what is needed for that statement to be proven true? I need absolute or total knowledge. I need to have information that there is no gold in any rock, in any river, in the ground, in any store, in any ring, or in any mouth (gold filling) in China. If there is one speck of gold in China, then my statement is false and I have no basis for it. I need absolute knowledge before I can make an absolute statement of that nature. Conversely, for me to say, "There is gold in China," I don't need to have all knowledge. I just need to have seen a speck of gold in the country, and the statement is then true.
To say categorically, "There is no God," is to make an absolute statement. For the statement to be true, I must know for certain that there is no God in the entire universe. No human being has all knowledge. Therefore, none of us is able to truthfully make this assertion.
If you insist upon disbelief in God, what you must say is, "Having the limited knowledge I have at present, I believe that there is no God." Owing to a lack of knowledge on your part, you don't know if God exists. So, in the strict sense of the word, you cannot be an atheist. The only true qualifier for the title is the One who has absolute knowledge, and why on earth would God want to deny His own existence?
The professing atheist is what is commonly known as an “agnostic” - one who claims he “doesn't know” if God exists. It is interesting to note that the Latin equivalent for the Greek word is “ignoramus.” The Bible tells us that this ignorance is “willful” (Psalm 10:4). It's not that a person can't find God, but that he won't. It has been rightly said that the “atheist” can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman. He knows that if he admits that there is a God, he is admitting that he is ultimately responsible to Him. This is not a pleasant thought for some.
It is said that Mussolini (the Italian dictator), once stood on a pinnacle and cried, "God, if you are there, strike me dead!" When God didn't immediately bow to his dictates, Mussolini then concluded that there was no God. However, his prayer was answered some time later.
Excerpted from God Doesn't Believe in Atheists by Ray Comfort
Astrology
During a deliverance session years ago near Tampa, Florida, a young lady had begin to manifest demon spirits through hear when we prayed over her. The demon spirit spoke through her and said, "I trapped her! She was so worried about her future and I trapped her!" Wow, what a day that was. I told the demon to hold her peace and loose her, to come out of her and let her go. Of course the demon obeyed me and she was delivered gloriously. I showed her how to pray and renounce the astrology that she was tricked into. With many tears she learned that she did not have to rely on "familiar spirits", but could receive 9 gifts of the spirit to aid in her walk with Christ. Satan has a counterfeit for everything.
The scripture is very clear about astrology or the "observing of times". "Ye shall not...use enchantment, nor observe times." Many people observe the moon, the sun, the stars and even silly fortune cookies to know what is going to happen the next day. This is grievous to the Holy Spirit in your life. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people." Leviticus 20:6. That is strong. To be cut off from God is a personal disaster. We see the stong command here and those who play with the starts or phycis are dancing with disaster.
"But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord...also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." 2 Chronicles 33:22,6 When you dabble in these things you not only open the door to the devil to come live inside you but you also provoke God to anger. Beloved, please, whatever you do, provoke anyone, but please don't provoke GOD!
In days of old, I believe that there was a time that God spoke through his people through the heavens. Now we have the holy spirit and to go back to an old system allows the devil to get involved and mess with your mind. Look at Isaiah 44:24,25; "...I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;...That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad;"
Starts do not decide your life; God decides your life. Have confidence in God and let Him speak to you through the precious Holy Spirit.
The scripture is very clear about astrology or the "observing of times". "Ye shall not...use enchantment, nor observe times." Many people observe the moon, the sun, the stars and even silly fortune cookies to know what is going to happen the next day. This is grievous to the Holy Spirit in your life. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people." Leviticus 20:6. That is strong. To be cut off from God is a personal disaster. We see the stong command here and those who play with the starts or phycis are dancing with disaster.
"But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord...also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." 2 Chronicles 33:22,6 When you dabble in these things you not only open the door to the devil to come live inside you but you also provoke God to anger. Beloved, please, whatever you do, provoke anyone, but please don't provoke GOD!
In days of old, I believe that there was a time that God spoke through his people through the heavens. Now we have the holy spirit and to go back to an old system allows the devil to get involved and mess with your mind. Look at Isaiah 44:24,25; "...I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;...That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad;"
Starts do not decide your life; God decides your life. Have confidence in God and let Him speak to you through the precious Holy Spirit.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Associations
There are those who will not increase what God is doing through you. There are many who unknowingly decrease God's plan in your life.
Not everyone in your life is ordained of God. Not everyone on your face book enjoys what God wants to do in your life.
Years ago in my library, I pulled a 1965 Sunday School curriculum book from GPH and was astonished to see what it said. "Don't just sanctify your bodies but sanctify your friendships". I was taken back. We don't hear that type of preaching much anymore. We think that everyone is acceptable to be friends with. God gave us wisdom, we just have to use it.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
Take heed to thyself, let thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou go est, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee. Exodus 34:12
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one do not to eat." I Corinthians 5:11
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I Corinthians 15:33
A dear precious lady once said to me while I was young, "You can be friendly with everyone, just learn not to be friends with everyone." At the time I thought that was rather harsh but later in my adult life I realized that everyone has a motive. Those motives may be pure or they may be polluted, it is up to you to discern what their motives are up too.
Watch and pray over your associations. Someone may be getting ready to drag your speed down. Someone may be getting ready to accelerate you into greatness. Don't live in fear but trust that God will reveal the right relationships to you today.
Not everyone in your life is ordained of God. Not everyone on your face book enjoys what God wants to do in your life.
Years ago in my library, I pulled a 1965 Sunday School curriculum book from GPH and was astonished to see what it said. "Don't just sanctify your bodies but sanctify your friendships". I was taken back. We don't hear that type of preaching much anymore. We think that everyone is acceptable to be friends with. God gave us wisdom, we just have to use it.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
Take heed to thyself, let thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou go est, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee. Exodus 34:12
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one do not to eat." I Corinthians 5:11
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I Corinthians 15:33
A dear precious lady once said to me while I was young, "You can be friendly with everyone, just learn not to be friends with everyone." At the time I thought that was rather harsh but later in my adult life I realized that everyone has a motive. Those motives may be pure or they may be polluted, it is up to you to discern what their motives are up too.
Watch and pray over your associations. Someone may be getting ready to drag your speed down. Someone may be getting ready to accelerate you into greatness. Don't live in fear but trust that God will reveal the right relationships to you today.
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