Saturday, December 12, 2009 Print Article
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The True Meaning of Christmas
Dr. Frederick K.C. Price
Christmas is one of the most important days among Christians. This day commemorates and celebrates the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is more than just a holiday. It is the remembrance of the fact that God so loved the world that He have His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus' birthday - Christmas is about God's love. It is about God's love for you and me. It is God expressing His great love for mankind, through the giving of the greatest gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves us not because of what we are, but He loves us because of what He knows we can become, if we'll allow Him to get involved in our lives.
John 1:1-3, 14:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
This passage from the Book of John tells us what Christmas is all about. It is about Jesus coming into the world. It is about the Word of God, the Living Word; Jesus is called the Logos, or the Word of God, and it says, "In the beginning was the Word."
Notice that verse 1 says "the Word was with God." This verse shows Jesus' separate and distinct personality. Then it says "the Word was God." Now, I can't explain this to you. I can't explain it in a rational way so that you can understand it intellectually, but that's what the Bible says, it says that the Word was with God and then it says that the Word was God. Praise God that He doesn't require us to understand it mentally in order to gain the benefits from it; all we have to do is simply believe it.
Romans 8:1-3:
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
This is the purpose of Jesus' coming. His purpose was to come and take away our sin. To come and pay the penalty that all of us should have rightfully paid as a result of Adam's sin in the garden of Eden. Jesus came to do it for us; that's what this season is all about. That's the true meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came to do what the flesh could not do and that is to bring us back into fellowship and communion with the Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 2:10-15:
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."
13 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me."
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Jesus came to set us free from the ravages of death. Praise the Lord! The real meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ: crucified, dead, risen, ascended, and coming again!
Dr. Frederick K.C. Price is the founder and pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center West in Los Angeles and CCC East in Manhattan. To obtain more information about his ministry, please call (800) 927-3436 or visit www.faithdome.org. Click here to browse and purchase MP3 sermons by Dr. Frederick K.C. Price!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
In the time of Need
Friday, December 11, 2009 Print Article
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In the Time of Need
Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
"Grace to help in a time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NAS)
Grace reminds us of an ambulance coming to treat someone with a medical emergency. The paramedics offer assistance to the victim on the spot. They dispense immediate grace to the most serious symptoms. Then they slide them into the ambulance, which is equipped with more grace - more medical facilities - to deal with the problem. And as the paramedics are administering more grace to the patient, the ambulance races to the hospital where even more grace awaits. And once the patient is admitted, the hospital keeps dispensing grace to meet the need until the problem has been addressed and the patient can go home again. As the beloved hymn goes: "'Twas Grace that brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home."
One day Jesus heard our emergency call: "I am a sinner and I need a Savior." He came to earth, found us dying in sin and reached down to save us. And as our High Priest, He also transported us from where we were, to a place that has all the grace we will ever need as long as we live, until we are finally and fully restored at the resurrection and go home with Him. So, how can we have a Savior and High Priest like this and not draw near to Him in prayer? "But I'm tired" you say. That's ok, just draw near. "But you don't understand. I'm hurting and I feel like quitting."
Others may not understand, but Jesus does. Just draw near to Him. He will meet you where you are, then take you to where He is - before the throne that dispenses grace!
Bishop Edward Earl Jenkins is the senior pastor and founder of the True Servant Worship & Praise Church located in Trenton, New Jersey. Bishop Jenkins earned his Bachelor of Theology degree from Eastern Bible College and has been preaching the unadulterated gospel for over twenty years. His unique method of preaching and teaching has opened many doors to allow him to touch the hearts of many lives near and far. Bishop Jenkins is the proud husband of Lady Sheila Jenkins and father of Travis, Jamal, Clarrisa and Dionna. Click here to purchase Don't Hate Your Enemies...Just Step On Them! by Bishop E.E. Jenkins!
© Bishop E. Earl Jenkins all rights reserved.
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In the Time of Need
Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
"Grace to help in a time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NAS)
Grace reminds us of an ambulance coming to treat someone with a medical emergency. The paramedics offer assistance to the victim on the spot. They dispense immediate grace to the most serious symptoms. Then they slide them into the ambulance, which is equipped with more grace - more medical facilities - to deal with the problem. And as the paramedics are administering more grace to the patient, the ambulance races to the hospital where even more grace awaits. And once the patient is admitted, the hospital keeps dispensing grace to meet the need until the problem has been addressed and the patient can go home again. As the beloved hymn goes: "'Twas Grace that brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home."
One day Jesus heard our emergency call: "I am a sinner and I need a Savior." He came to earth, found us dying in sin and reached down to save us. And as our High Priest, He also transported us from where we were, to a place that has all the grace we will ever need as long as we live, until we are finally and fully restored at the resurrection and go home with Him. So, how can we have a Savior and High Priest like this and not draw near to Him in prayer? "But I'm tired" you say. That's ok, just draw near. "But you don't understand. I'm hurting and I feel like quitting."
Others may not understand, but Jesus does. Just draw near to Him. He will meet you where you are, then take you to where He is - before the throne that dispenses grace!
Bishop Edward Earl Jenkins is the senior pastor and founder of the True Servant Worship & Praise Church located in Trenton, New Jersey. Bishop Jenkins earned his Bachelor of Theology degree from Eastern Bible College and has been preaching the unadulterated gospel for over twenty years. His unique method of preaching and teaching has opened many doors to allow him to touch the hearts of many lives near and far. Bishop Jenkins is the proud husband of Lady Sheila Jenkins and father of Travis, Jamal, Clarrisa and Dionna. Click here to purchase Don't Hate Your Enemies...Just Step On Them! by Bishop E.E. Jenkins!
© Bishop E. Earl Jenkins all rights reserved.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Studio Apt. available
There is a small studio available in my browstone for a Dec 15th move-in date (One person occupancy). Below are the details. PASS IT ON!
***Bedford-Stuyvesant location (Hancock St. b/w Lewis Ave. & Marcus Garvey Blvd.)
***Clean, quiet brownstone, on the top floor
***Close to A/C trains
***Heat, hot water and utilities are included in the rent
*** Rent is $800/mo.
***Requirements: W2 form, security and first month rent
***No Pets
If interested or have questions, please call Spencer 347-682-9325, if you receive voicemail please leave your full name and phone number
Spencer Casseus :-)
***Bedford-Stuyvesant location (Hancock St. b/w Lewis Ave. & Marcus Garvey Blvd.)
***Clean, quiet brownstone, on the top floor
***Close to A/C trains
***Heat, hot water and utilities are included in the rent
*** Rent is $800/mo.
***Requirements: W2 form, security and first month rent
***No Pets
If interested or have questions, please call Spencer 347-682-9325, if you receive voicemail please leave your full name and phone number
Spencer Casseus :-)
Recieve the Lord Today
Receive the Lord Today
Bishop Keith Butler
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1 (KJV)
The Lord is merciful. He is reaching out His hand for all to receive Jesus today, not tomorrow. Don't think simply because you are young that means you then have a visa card of life to do whatever you want without consequences. Not true. God is against sin because sin will kill you.
Often reproved means that he's been warned and warned and warned. The Holy Ghost will warn you not to do this, not to go this way, not to be with these people, not to be in this place. He'll keep warning you. As he keeps warning people, there are people who will listen and then there are people who will not. They keep going their own way. Yet God keeps trying to get to them. You may have been rejecting God. God keeps calling for you, and you keep on rejecting him b ecause you want to do what you want to do, the way you want to do it, and still think you're going to get into heaven. Well, the scripture says that he that is often reproved shall be destroyed suddenly without remedy.
Suddenly he will be destroyed, and without remedy. I heard R. W. Schambach talked about how a 15 or 16 year old boy came to a church that he was pastoring. He drove a motorcycle. And the spirit of God moved on him to minister to that young boy and told him, "Son, you need to get saved today; Get saved today." The boy was being drawn by the Holy Ghost and shrugged it off. He said, "I'm not ready yet. I'll do it when I'm ready." He walked on out of that church. He got on his bike heading home. The pavement was wet and he therefore lost control of that bike and wound up in the grill of an 18 wheeler truck. He met eternity suddenly. He wasn't prepared. He thought he had all day.
I submit to you that you don't have all day to decide to follow God. Who are you to tell God to wait? Who are you to tell God, when you're ready? When God calls you, you'd better answer and come. He loves you, and His mercy is out there. So come to Him now while it is called today.
Scripture References: Hebrews 4:1-16; Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37
Bishop Keith Butler
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1 (KJV)
The Lord is merciful. He is reaching out His hand for all to receive Jesus today, not tomorrow. Don't think simply because you are young that means you then have a visa card of life to do whatever you want without consequences. Not true. God is against sin because sin will kill you.
Often reproved means that he's been warned and warned and warned. The Holy Ghost will warn you not to do this, not to go this way, not to be with these people, not to be in this place. He'll keep warning you. As he keeps warning people, there are people who will listen and then there are people who will not. They keep going their own way. Yet God keeps trying to get to them. You may have been rejecting God. God keeps calling for you, and you keep on rejecting him b ecause you want to do what you want to do, the way you want to do it, and still think you're going to get into heaven. Well, the scripture says that he that is often reproved shall be destroyed suddenly without remedy.
Suddenly he will be destroyed, and without remedy. I heard R. W. Schambach talked about how a 15 or 16 year old boy came to a church that he was pastoring. He drove a motorcycle. And the spirit of God moved on him to minister to that young boy and told him, "Son, you need to get saved today; Get saved today." The boy was being drawn by the Holy Ghost and shrugged it off. He said, "I'm not ready yet. I'll do it when I'm ready." He walked on out of that church. He got on his bike heading home. The pavement was wet and he therefore lost control of that bike and wound up in the grill of an 18 wheeler truck. He met eternity suddenly. He wasn't prepared. He thought he had all day.
I submit to you that you don't have all day to decide to follow God. Who are you to tell God to wait? Who are you to tell God, when you're ready? When God calls you, you'd better answer and come. He loves you, and His mercy is out there. So come to Him now while it is called today.
Scripture References: Hebrews 4:1-16; Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
How Jesus meets the deepest Longings of your heart
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 Print Article
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How Jesus Meets the Deepest Longings of Your Heart
Dr. Jack Graham
More than likely, you've heard the story out of the New Testament of the chief tax collector, a man named Zacchaeus.
As I have read his story over and over, I have come to realize that Zacchaeus' story is everyone's story-including yours and mine.
As you read his story, you come to realize that Zacchaeus illustrates the four basic weaknesses and needs of every human heart: the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of loneliness, the weight of guilt, and the fear of death.
There really are some great life-lessons you and I can learn as we look at this man. Let's pick up his story in Luke 19:1-9:
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Zacchaeus was a wealthy man in his day, but he was empty inside. His story is a great reminder that it doesn't matter how well off you are financially or physically, there is a need deep within every human heart to be filled with something that will last...something that will fill that emptiness we feel in souls.
Friend, you and I were made to know God, to love God, to experience grace, and to know true, saving faith in Him.
It doesn't matter how much money you have...how much status you achieve...or how many things you have. You need God because you were made to know Him...just like Zacchaeus was.
But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was lonely. He was a Jew working for the Romans to collect taxes, one of the most hated professions of that day.
He was skimming off the top, swindling and scandalizing his friends. Zacchaeus was a man who seemingly had no conscience-and no friends. He was an outcast of society!
As a result, he was a very lonely man...just like so many people today. We were made to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so we naturally feel lonely without Him. And this is how Zacchaeus felt.
Along with that loneliness, Zacchaeus carried around a huge weight of guilt...a feeling everyone experiences.
Some people try to numb the pain of guilt with excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or unhealthy relationships.
But no matter how you try to hide it...no matter how far you may try to run, you will never be able to dissolve that sense of guilt apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, just like anyone who doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus was afraid to die. And while most people don't admit this fact, it's true.
Even though many considered Zacchaeus a waste case, Jesus knew that he was empty and lonely...Jesus knew that he felt guilty...and Jesus knew that he was afraid to die. And that's why Jesus stopped!
I don't know where you may be in life today, my friend. Maybe you can relate to one or more of Zacchaeus' weaknesses.
Whatever your station may be today...good, bad, rich or poor...I hope you have come to realize all that God is offering you through Jesus Christ...the Friend of the wounded heart.
Because through Jesus you can indeed know fullness for your emptiness, forgiveness for your guilt, and intimacy with God for your loneliness. And through Him you have the ultimate victory, the victory over death.
Dr. Jack Graham's passion is to lead men and women from all walks of life into a more intimate and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Graham is the voice of Power Point Ministries and has led the 26,000-member Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas since 1989. He is the author of several books including You Can Make a Difference, Lessons from the Heart, Life according to Jesus, and A Man of God. Dr. Graham lives in Frisco, Texas, with his wife and ministry partner, Deb. The Grahams have three children and one grandson. For more information, check out www.PowerPoint.org
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How Jesus Meets the Deepest Longings of Your Heart
Dr. Jack Graham
More than likely, you've heard the story out of the New Testament of the chief tax collector, a man named Zacchaeus.
As I have read his story over and over, I have come to realize that Zacchaeus' story is everyone's story-including yours and mine.
As you read his story, you come to realize that Zacchaeus illustrates the four basic weaknesses and needs of every human heart: the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of loneliness, the weight of guilt, and the fear of death.
There really are some great life-lessons you and I can learn as we look at this man. Let's pick up his story in Luke 19:1-9:
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Zacchaeus was a wealthy man in his day, but he was empty inside. His story is a great reminder that it doesn't matter how well off you are financially or physically, there is a need deep within every human heart to be filled with something that will last...something that will fill that emptiness we feel in souls.
Friend, you and I were made to know God, to love God, to experience grace, and to know true, saving faith in Him.
It doesn't matter how much money you have...how much status you achieve...or how many things you have. You need God because you were made to know Him...just like Zacchaeus was.
But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was lonely. He was a Jew working for the Romans to collect taxes, one of the most hated professions of that day.
He was skimming off the top, swindling and scandalizing his friends. Zacchaeus was a man who seemingly had no conscience-and no friends. He was an outcast of society!
As a result, he was a very lonely man...just like so many people today. We were made to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so we naturally feel lonely without Him. And this is how Zacchaeus felt.
Along with that loneliness, Zacchaeus carried around a huge weight of guilt...a feeling everyone experiences.
Some people try to numb the pain of guilt with excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or unhealthy relationships.
But no matter how you try to hide it...no matter how far you may try to run, you will never be able to dissolve that sense of guilt apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, just like anyone who doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus was afraid to die. And while most people don't admit this fact, it's true.
Even though many considered Zacchaeus a waste case, Jesus knew that he was empty and lonely...Jesus knew that he felt guilty...and Jesus knew that he was afraid to die. And that's why Jesus stopped!
I don't know where you may be in life today, my friend. Maybe you can relate to one or more of Zacchaeus' weaknesses.
Whatever your station may be today...good, bad, rich or poor...I hope you have come to realize all that God is offering you through Jesus Christ...the Friend of the wounded heart.
Because through Jesus you can indeed know fullness for your emptiness, forgiveness for your guilt, and intimacy with God for your loneliness. And through Him you have the ultimate victory, the victory over death.
Dr. Jack Graham's passion is to lead men and women from all walks of life into a more intimate and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Graham is the voice of Power Point Ministries and has led the 26,000-member Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas since 1989. He is the author of several books including You Can Make a Difference, Lessons from the Heart, Life according to Jesus, and A Man of God. Dr. Graham lives in Frisco, Texas, with his wife and ministry partner, Deb. The Grahams have three children and one grandson. For more information, check out www.PowerPoint.org
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The first begotten son
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 Print Article
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The First Begotten Son
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you became born again. That simply means that your spirit was transformed from a state of spiritual death to life in a split second of time. But have you ever considered that Jesus went through the exact same thing? Often, in the midst of our religious views of Him, we forget that He was actually the first person to ever become born again. That's right. He suffered what He did on the cross so that He could become the prototype for the new creation. He was the first begotten son of Almighty God.
In order to understand the new creation experience, it is essential to realize why this whole thing had to happen. When Adam committed high treason in the Garden of Eden by turning his authority over to Satan, death, sin and the curse entered the earth. Adam's connection to God was immediately severed, and Satan became his god instead. Romans 5:19 says, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." There was nothing anyone could do or not do to be a sinner; the only qualification was to be born.
God knew that Adam would sin. Therefore, from the beginning, He established a plan to restore mankind back to perfect fellowship with Him. He sent Jesus to the earth to accomplish the task. Jesus' birth had to be a supernatural one because if He were born of a woman and a man, He wouldn't be able to be a spotless sacrifice; every person born of a woman was already spiritually dead. So God supernaturally impregnated the Virgin Mary so that Jesus could have what I call "blood type G," or God's blood type.
There's a reason why Jesus is your big Brother-He was the first man to ever be born again, or spiritually recreated from death to life. He set the precedent for you and me. When Jesus died on the cross and descended into the depths of hell to pay the price for your sins, He died both physically and spiritually (Romans 10:7). In those agonizing moments, Jesus became sin, and His heavenly Father turned His back on His Son (Matthew 27:46).
After spending three days and nights in the pit of hell, the power of God resurrected Him back to spiritual life with a new spirit, and a glorified body. Acts 13:33 says, "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." This day that God is talking about is the day that Jesus was resurrected. He became the first begotten son of God-born again from spiritual death to life.
You and I, as children of God, are also born again from death to life. By allowing Jesus to come into your heart, you accepted the free gift of righteousness through Him. Through faith in God's power, your spirit was quickened and made alive. You were made worthy to partake of every promise and privilege that the Word of God has to offer.
If you've ever questioned your spiritual identity, don't go another day wondering where you stand with God. With Jesus sitting on the throne of your life, you've been made a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) and are a partaker of eternal life with Him!
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org to learn more. Click here to browse and purchase Books, CDs, and DVDs by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar!
© Creflo A. Dollar Ministries all rights reserved.
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The First Begotten Son
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you became born again. That simply means that your spirit was transformed from a state of spiritual death to life in a split second of time. But have you ever considered that Jesus went through the exact same thing? Often, in the midst of our religious views of Him, we forget that He was actually the first person to ever become born again. That's right. He suffered what He did on the cross so that He could become the prototype for the new creation. He was the first begotten son of Almighty God.
In order to understand the new creation experience, it is essential to realize why this whole thing had to happen. When Adam committed high treason in the Garden of Eden by turning his authority over to Satan, death, sin and the curse entered the earth. Adam's connection to God was immediately severed, and Satan became his god instead. Romans 5:19 says, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." There was nothing anyone could do or not do to be a sinner; the only qualification was to be born.
God knew that Adam would sin. Therefore, from the beginning, He established a plan to restore mankind back to perfect fellowship with Him. He sent Jesus to the earth to accomplish the task. Jesus' birth had to be a supernatural one because if He were born of a woman and a man, He wouldn't be able to be a spotless sacrifice; every person born of a woman was already spiritually dead. So God supernaturally impregnated the Virgin Mary so that Jesus could have what I call "blood type G," or God's blood type.
There's a reason why Jesus is your big Brother-He was the first man to ever be born again, or spiritually recreated from death to life. He set the precedent for you and me. When Jesus died on the cross and descended into the depths of hell to pay the price for your sins, He died both physically and spiritually (Romans 10:7). In those agonizing moments, Jesus became sin, and His heavenly Father turned His back on His Son (Matthew 27:46).
After spending three days and nights in the pit of hell, the power of God resurrected Him back to spiritual life with a new spirit, and a glorified body. Acts 13:33 says, "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." This day that God is talking about is the day that Jesus was resurrected. He became the first begotten son of God-born again from spiritual death to life.
You and I, as children of God, are also born again from death to life. By allowing Jesus to come into your heart, you accepted the free gift of righteousness through Him. Through faith in God's power, your spirit was quickened and made alive. You were made worthy to partake of every promise and privilege that the Word of God has to offer.
If you've ever questioned your spiritual identity, don't go another day wondering where you stand with God. With Jesus sitting on the throne of your life, you've been made a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) and are a partaker of eternal life with Him!
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org to learn more. Click here to browse and purchase Books, CDs, and DVDs by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar!
© Creflo A. Dollar Ministries all rights reserved.
In need of a savior
Monday, December 07, 2009 Print Article
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In Need of a Savior
Alan Riley
David Miller, a ministry friend of mine relates the story of the birth of his first child. When his son was born, David was sure that there had never been a child born to man and woman to compare to this special child. "But it wasn't long after we brought him home from the hospital," David relates, "that we realized that the chain of sin was still unbroken!"
We laughed when we heard David tell that story, but he makes an important point. His child was born with a sinful nature. You and I were, too. We all were. It is a legacy passed down from Adam. Each one of us at some point in our lives makes a conscious choice to disobey God and sin, but that is because we were born with a sinful nature, a bent toward sinning, if you will.
People sometimes get upset with you if you tell them they are a sinner. They think we are judging them, but in reality that is something that we have in common with them. The Apostle Paul said that he was the "chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). John reminded us that if we say we have not sinned we are a liar (1 John 1:8).
The late Rich Mullins (writer of "Awesome God" and "Sing Your Praise to the Lord") told the story of getting stranded at an inn while on a hike. To meet back up with his party would require a ten mile walk and he was already spent from the day's hike. He struck up a conversation with a man at the inn and in the course of the conversation, Mullins shared that he was a Christian musician. The man offered to give Mullins a ride to meet his party, but said there was something he needed to tell him first. "I am gay" the man told him. Rich chuckled and replied that he still needed a ride to the drop off point! As he took Rich to meet up with his hiking companions, the man was silent for most of the trip.
Finally he turned to Rich and asked, "Does God hate me?" Mullins wrote that the question, and the heart cry behind it broke his heart. He turned to the man and said, "God loves you as much as He loves me! Yes, God hates the sin in your life, but no more than he hates the sin in my life." The man realized that in Rich Mullins he had found a friend, not a judge. That is how we need to relate to those around us, many of whom are struggling with sin. We aren't better than them, we're just forgiven. When I share Christ with others, I am just one beggar telling another beggar where I found food.
We tend to want to rank sin in order of severity, but God doesn't make such distinctions. It's true that in the Old Testament (Proverbs 6) there is a list of things God despises, but included on that list are lying and sowing discord among brothers. Ever lied before? (If your answer is no, read 1 John 1:8 again!) Sin is sin. It is all rebellion against Him. We are all in need of saving. We are all in need of a Savior.
That is what we celebrate this Christmas season. We need to look beyond all the hype and the materialism of the holiday and focus in on the baby in a manger in Bethlehem. The only child who ever chose to be born. The one who left the glory of heaven to save us from our sins.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 John 1:10-14 (NKJV)
Alan Riley is Vice President for Ministry and Media Development for 316 Networks (www.316Networks.com), Streaming Faith's sister media property. From 2006-2009 he served as Director of Web Operations and Managing Editor for Streaming Faith. An ordained Baptist Minister, Alan is a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional. He can sometimes be found blogging at www.alansblog.com or more often opining in 140 characters or less at www.Twitter.com/AlanRiley.
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In Need of a Savior
Alan Riley
David Miller, a ministry friend of mine relates the story of the birth of his first child. When his son was born, David was sure that there had never been a child born to man and woman to compare to this special child. "But it wasn't long after we brought him home from the hospital," David relates, "that we realized that the chain of sin was still unbroken!"
We laughed when we heard David tell that story, but he makes an important point. His child was born with a sinful nature. You and I were, too. We all were. It is a legacy passed down from Adam. Each one of us at some point in our lives makes a conscious choice to disobey God and sin, but that is because we were born with a sinful nature, a bent toward sinning, if you will.
People sometimes get upset with you if you tell them they are a sinner. They think we are judging them, but in reality that is something that we have in common with them. The Apostle Paul said that he was the "chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). John reminded us that if we say we have not sinned we are a liar (1 John 1:8).
The late Rich Mullins (writer of "Awesome God" and "Sing Your Praise to the Lord") told the story of getting stranded at an inn while on a hike. To meet back up with his party would require a ten mile walk and he was already spent from the day's hike. He struck up a conversation with a man at the inn and in the course of the conversation, Mullins shared that he was a Christian musician. The man offered to give Mullins a ride to meet his party, but said there was something he needed to tell him first. "I am gay" the man told him. Rich chuckled and replied that he still needed a ride to the drop off point! As he took Rich to meet up with his hiking companions, the man was silent for most of the trip.
Finally he turned to Rich and asked, "Does God hate me?" Mullins wrote that the question, and the heart cry behind it broke his heart. He turned to the man and said, "God loves you as much as He loves me! Yes, God hates the sin in your life, but no more than he hates the sin in my life." The man realized that in Rich Mullins he had found a friend, not a judge. That is how we need to relate to those around us, many of whom are struggling with sin. We aren't better than them, we're just forgiven. When I share Christ with others, I am just one beggar telling another beggar where I found food.
We tend to want to rank sin in order of severity, but God doesn't make such distinctions. It's true that in the Old Testament (Proverbs 6) there is a list of things God despises, but included on that list are lying and sowing discord among brothers. Ever lied before? (If your answer is no, read 1 John 1:8 again!) Sin is sin. It is all rebellion against Him. We are all in need of saving. We are all in need of a Savior.
That is what we celebrate this Christmas season. We need to look beyond all the hype and the materialism of the holiday and focus in on the baby in a manger in Bethlehem. The only child who ever chose to be born. The one who left the glory of heaven to save us from our sins.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 John 1:10-14 (NKJV)
Alan Riley is Vice President for Ministry and Media Development for 316 Networks (www.316Networks.com), Streaming Faith's sister media property. From 2006-2009 he served as Director of Web Operations and Managing Editor for Streaming Faith. An ordained Baptist Minister, Alan is a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional. He can sometimes be found blogging at www.alansblog.com or more often opining in 140 characters or less at www.Twitter.com/AlanRiley.
Monday, December 7, 2009
A message from Shaam Jones
MEETING YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE IN LIFE: Do You Already!!!
By Shaam Jones for The Frontliners of EBC
I overslept again! I got up and frantically rushed around the house trying to get out the door, only to discover that there was no hot water, and my button-up shirt that I hand washed the night before was still too damp to wear. I was tempted to resort to my old school, played out ways and start cussing and fussing. But then a sense of calmness came over me.
I said a quick prayer aloud. “Father God, come into my heart and show me Your will and purpose for me this morning. Quiet my stress-filled mind and remove my double-mindedness. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide me in this moment. This is my prayer as Your son, amen, amen, amen.”
I heard an audible voice say: Do you already! So, of course I had a 1 Samuel 3:4 ah-ha moment. I asked, God affirmatively answered, “streamingfaith.com.” Then I reached over to my nightstand and opened up my laptop.
Thank God for streamingfaith.com on those mornings when ‘Bedside Baptist’ is where I have to join in fellowship with other Emmanuelites. It has been a Godsend whenever I’m on the road traveling for business and find myself in a strange hotel, away from the safety of home with a nightstand Bible as my only weapon against the temptations of provocative cable programming, and faceless strangers in the bar downstairs.
It is in these moments I’m glad that I’m a mobile professional with wireless access, and I can log onto www.EBC-ny.org to hear sermon podcasts in the archives, look at photos of my brothers on the frontlines, and reminisce about all the memorable experiences I’ve had as a member of this community of faith.
Being able to log onto www.streamingfaith.com, click the “Live” tab and scroll down to “10:00 am” where I look for the “Live Now” icon next to “Emmanuel Baptist Church, Anthony L. Trufant” is such a much-appreciated resource when I am physically disconnected from my EBC family. And you can take notes while you watch.
I’m glad that EBC is a 21st century ministry that personifies its call to purpose “Connecting People to Christ.”
So, I logged on and joined into praise and worship with Total Praise being led by Pastor Haye this morning in my PJs. I sang without being self-conscious of who heard me, because I’m not much of a singer (lol).
Then Rev began by asking two thought-provoking questions:
1. Who has helped you stay in New York ?
2. Who do you believe the Spirit is prompting you to help stay in New York ?
And I turned to the mirror (lol – my neighbors went to service) I repeated: “God wants us to help each other”
I thought, “Hmm…interesting…” so I turned up the volume a bit more.
Then I joined in our corporate prayer of petition: God, we’re grateful to You for granting us persons who come in and out of our lives. We thank You for using family members who pour into our lives, and ask that as Your sons and daughters You fill us with the power to become Your servants. This is our prayer in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, amen.
RTs message was entitled: “Help!!!” drawn from Romans 16:1-2
Through the technological wonders of Internet Explorer 8, I was able to open another tab and log onto www.biblegateway.com to type in the message scripture. I like this site because it gives the option of even being able to view the scriptural text in several translations. Next, I cut and paste the text into an open Word document on which I’ve been taking notes:
“1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant (deaconess) of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.” – Romans 16:1-2
Paul’s letter to the fellowship of the faithful in the Book of Romans was on open ‘shout out’ of commendation to Phoebe and those who do. To those he were standing around it may have read like a “Do you already!” reminder. He calls Phoebe our sister (the word “sister” comes from the Greek word “Adelphi” which means the sister that is loved). This letter was his helping hand up to those who were committed to handing out blessing for others.
CHECKING HIS LIFE’S RESUME: Paul wasn’t considered a team player from day one. In fact, he was once called a prayer-hater. Even after his faith transition, Paul’s competency was continually called into question; not by outsiders, but rather by those who proclaimed to be faith sharers. Why? He was formerly someone that persecuted the disciples of the Way (Christ). Yet, he is credited as one of the first writers of the Gospel in the New Testament as the author the Book of Galatians.
Rev then shared a tragic account of a 10-year girl who was sexually abused by her father and step mom. Many people should’ve done something, but they didn’t. Like you I, they choose to not get involved, fearing they might’ve misjudged or misread the situation. So, they did nothing.
No one called 911. No one discouraged the destructive, unkind behavior that led to her death. No one did anything.
Do you hear and see things and not want to get involved? Most people, including police are hesitant and cautious from intervening in domestic disputes because it’s highly likely they’ll find themselves under attack as well. So, no one does anything.
What is your common sense criteria for getting involved? We are not just “created” we are also “called” to serve, not yesterday – today. “We live in the eternal now” as Rev poignantly pointed out. Do you hit the “Christian mute button” when an opportunity to help the well-being of others comes? Are you experiencing a “holy discontent” about the situational challenges of others.
“God calls us through what we speak. He speaks to us through what we see.”
A lot of people want to “talk about God” but they don’t want to “join God, in what God is doing.” The framework of capitalism has it structured within a system a have-not section that is reserved for the disenfranchised. These days however, the reality of capitalism has come closer to us “unemployment is not a statistic, it’s our situation.”
We pay farmers to grow food that is stored in silos and thrown away, even though we have children with hungry stomachs all around us. Why? Have you discovered you “sacred vocation” or merely settled for your “occupation” to avoid doing the work of God which you are more than capable of doing? Why do you continue to allow other people’s aptitude of your ability to hinder your altitude in God’s army of change makers?
You watch 5 hours of television everyday. You have the same 168 hours as the rest of us, yet you’re squandering them at home rather than honing the skills necessary to use your God-given gifts for the work of the Kingdom. It’s not just why you should you help, “it’s whom and when?”
The Bible reveals to us the lengths God will go to pursue us.
What you’ve done doesn’t mean much if you’re not intentional in what you’re doing.
Are you work-in-progress that has submitted to the transformational process? God changes us from the inside outside out – that’s sanctification. Our faithful, praise-filled display of our devotion to God attentiveness – that’s glorification.
Apologetics 101: Rev pointed out “people can question your doctrines and beliefs, but they cannot question the consistency of your life.” Some to your prayer haters say, “You can’t argue with people’s experience.”
Our precepts must become practices. We are called as believers to do something we wouldn’t do. Let’s stop being lazy, waiting around for others to tell us what to think and partner with God, today!
DYK? Christ was a layperson that made a difference. What are you doing?
Are those who are connected to your faith network experiencing “dropped calls” because you’re out of the coverage area? You are called to make connections with those in need, and not send their incoming calls for help to voicemail. As a believer, you’ve been commissioned to be a 800 number operator for the Kingdom network. As a member of the EBC community of faith, you’ve been saved to serve as on the ‘help desk’ responding to the needs of those around you.
Congratulations to Brother James Billingy on taking his walk of faith at Sunday’s 10 a.m. service and thanks to the Frontliners who supported his faithful response to the moment of decision. Thanks!
RT’S WORD OF THE WEEK: Pernicious – harmful, insidious, spiteful and evil.
By Shaam Jones for The Frontliners of EBC
I overslept again! I got up and frantically rushed around the house trying to get out the door, only to discover that there was no hot water, and my button-up shirt that I hand washed the night before was still too damp to wear. I was tempted to resort to my old school, played out ways and start cussing and fussing. But then a sense of calmness came over me.
I said a quick prayer aloud. “Father God, come into my heart and show me Your will and purpose for me this morning. Quiet my stress-filled mind and remove my double-mindedness. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide me in this moment. This is my prayer as Your son, amen, amen, amen.”
I heard an audible voice say: Do you already! So, of course I had a 1 Samuel 3:4 ah-ha moment. I asked, God affirmatively answered, “streamingfaith.com.” Then I reached over to my nightstand and opened up my laptop.
Thank God for streamingfaith.com on those mornings when ‘Bedside Baptist’ is where I have to join in fellowship with other Emmanuelites. It has been a Godsend whenever I’m on the road traveling for business and find myself in a strange hotel, away from the safety of home with a nightstand Bible as my only weapon against the temptations of provocative cable programming, and faceless strangers in the bar downstairs.
It is in these moments I’m glad that I’m a mobile professional with wireless access, and I can log onto www.EBC-ny.org to hear sermon podcasts in the archives, look at photos of my brothers on the frontlines, and reminisce about all the memorable experiences I’ve had as a member of this community of faith.
Being able to log onto www.streamingfaith.com, click the “Live” tab and scroll down to “10:00 am” where I look for the “Live Now” icon next to “Emmanuel Baptist Church, Anthony L. Trufant” is such a much-appreciated resource when I am physically disconnected from my EBC family. And you can take notes while you watch.
I’m glad that EBC is a 21st century ministry that personifies its call to purpose “Connecting People to Christ.”
So, I logged on and joined into praise and worship with Total Praise being led by Pastor Haye this morning in my PJs. I sang without being self-conscious of who heard me, because I’m not much of a singer (lol).
Then Rev began by asking two thought-provoking questions:
1. Who has helped you stay in New York ?
2. Who do you believe the Spirit is prompting you to help stay in New York ?
And I turned to the mirror (lol – my neighbors went to service) I repeated: “God wants us to help each other”
I thought, “Hmm…interesting…” so I turned up the volume a bit more.
Then I joined in our corporate prayer of petition: God, we’re grateful to You for granting us persons who come in and out of our lives. We thank You for using family members who pour into our lives, and ask that as Your sons and daughters You fill us with the power to become Your servants. This is our prayer in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, amen.
RTs message was entitled: “Help!!!” drawn from Romans 16:1-2
Through the technological wonders of Internet Explorer 8, I was able to open another tab and log onto www.biblegateway.com to type in the message scripture. I like this site because it gives the option of even being able to view the scriptural text in several translations. Next, I cut and paste the text into an open Word document on which I’ve been taking notes:
“1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant (deaconess) of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.” – Romans 16:1-2
Paul’s letter to the fellowship of the faithful in the Book of Romans was on open ‘shout out’ of commendation to Phoebe and those who do. To those he were standing around it may have read like a “Do you already!” reminder. He calls Phoebe our sister (the word “sister” comes from the Greek word “Adelphi” which means the sister that is loved). This letter was his helping hand up to those who were committed to handing out blessing for others.
CHECKING HIS LIFE’S RESUME: Paul wasn’t considered a team player from day one. In fact, he was once called a prayer-hater. Even after his faith transition, Paul’s competency was continually called into question; not by outsiders, but rather by those who proclaimed to be faith sharers. Why? He was formerly someone that persecuted the disciples of the Way (Christ). Yet, he is credited as one of the first writers of the Gospel in the New Testament as the author the Book of Galatians.
Rev then shared a tragic account of a 10-year girl who was sexually abused by her father and step mom. Many people should’ve done something, but they didn’t. Like you I, they choose to not get involved, fearing they might’ve misjudged or misread the situation. So, they did nothing.
No one called 911. No one discouraged the destructive, unkind behavior that led to her death. No one did anything.
Do you hear and see things and not want to get involved? Most people, including police are hesitant and cautious from intervening in domestic disputes because it’s highly likely they’ll find themselves under attack as well. So, no one does anything.
What is your common sense criteria for getting involved? We are not just “created” we are also “called” to serve, not yesterday – today. “We live in the eternal now” as Rev poignantly pointed out. Do you hit the “Christian mute button” when an opportunity to help the well-being of others comes? Are you experiencing a “holy discontent” about the situational challenges of others.
“God calls us through what we speak. He speaks to us through what we see.”
A lot of people want to “talk about God” but they don’t want to “join God, in what God is doing.” The framework of capitalism has it structured within a system a have-not section that is reserved for the disenfranchised. These days however, the reality of capitalism has come closer to us “unemployment is not a statistic, it’s our situation.”
We pay farmers to grow food that is stored in silos and thrown away, even though we have children with hungry stomachs all around us. Why? Have you discovered you “sacred vocation” or merely settled for your “occupation” to avoid doing the work of God which you are more than capable of doing? Why do you continue to allow other people’s aptitude of your ability to hinder your altitude in God’s army of change makers?
You watch 5 hours of television everyday. You have the same 168 hours as the rest of us, yet you’re squandering them at home rather than honing the skills necessary to use your God-given gifts for the work of the Kingdom. It’s not just why you should you help, “it’s whom and when?”
The Bible reveals to us the lengths God will go to pursue us.
What you’ve done doesn’t mean much if you’re not intentional in what you’re doing.
Are you work-in-progress that has submitted to the transformational process? God changes us from the inside outside out – that’s sanctification. Our faithful, praise-filled display of our devotion to God attentiveness – that’s glorification.
Apologetics 101: Rev pointed out “people can question your doctrines and beliefs, but they cannot question the consistency of your life.” Some to your prayer haters say, “You can’t argue with people’s experience.”
Our precepts must become practices. We are called as believers to do something we wouldn’t do. Let’s stop being lazy, waiting around for others to tell us what to think and partner with God, today!
DYK? Christ was a layperson that made a difference. What are you doing?
Are those who are connected to your faith network experiencing “dropped calls” because you’re out of the coverage area? You are called to make connections with those in need, and not send their incoming calls for help to voicemail. As a believer, you’ve been commissioned to be a 800 number operator for the Kingdom network. As a member of the EBC community of faith, you’ve been saved to serve as on the ‘help desk’ responding to the needs of those around you.
Congratulations to Brother James Billingy on taking his walk of faith at Sunday’s 10 a.m. service and thanks to the Frontliners who supported his faithful response to the moment of decision. Thanks!
RT’S WORD OF THE WEEK: Pernicious – harmful, insidious, spiteful and evil.
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