Let's go fishing.

                                           Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
           

                           What comes to mind when you see this sign? Pleasure, relaxation or laziness? Whatever your perception is, this sign is important for the body of Christ. Let's look at the following verse below---

                               "He saith unto them,Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
                                                              (Mat 4:19)   

            As you study the above verse, we see how Jesus captured the attention of his disciples comparing something (Fishing) in the natural into the spiritual (souls of men) As I study this one but very important verse, there is a wealth of knowledge in the area of soul-winning. As I researched some translations, we see some interesting patterns. The Amplified and Amplified Classic Edition (paraphrased) says to let (Jesus) be your guide and teacher in the fishing of men. The common English Version says---I will show you how to fish for people. 
            Soul-winning is the most important thing in the church. It is known as the great commission but few churches do not have a strong evangelistic program much less a vision for their community. Jesus is making a promise to us in Matt 4:19--If we follow him, he will make us a fisher of men. God has a vision for the world. He wants to see souls saved!
          Contrary to tradition, Jesus did not, just, have 12 disciples. There were seventy who were with him. (Luke 10:1). He, also, ministered to thousands of people. That to me is a successful ministry but how do we get to that level of ministering to thousands of people? Taking time to sit at the feet of the master and learn how to fish for the souls of men! The first rule of thumb is to know what we have in Christ Jesus. 

                                       We have an inheritance.

            "Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.... (Ps 2:8)

                                     Did you know that you can ask the Lord for souls? That is your inheritance! As you study Psalms 2, you will find that the Father made this promise to Jesus, when he arose from the dead. We are joint-heirs with Christ, so this promise relates to us as well. We can ask the Father for souls---Our enemies, our families, co-workers, etc. Have you been asking God for souls? It's time to win souls for the kingdom! 
                                     Next, ask God for wisdom. Why? The word says that he who wins souls is wise (Prov 11:30) In order to win souls, we must have the right bait. When you go out to fish, you need a bait that will attract the fishes so is the same with soul winning. My wife and I spent some time in the children's ministry and we went out into the streets doing shows for the kids. Some would dress up as clowns and distribute candy. Soon, we had an audience around us and we would invite them to church.
                               The youth Pastor had a program called Superchurch and he would spend 5 hours praying in tongues to come up with a show that would arrest their attention. Many children got saved and soon their parents would come to our church. That church had made such an impact on people in the neighborhood that it grew to about 500 in a short time. You want to win souls? Pray for the right bait.


                                           It's time to clean the fishes.


                        After we set the bait and souls starts to come to Christ, it's time for cleaning. Just as you clean the fish before you eat them, so is the same for souls.  They need to be cleansed. 
Too many Christians are quick to condemn a fellow believer instead of allowing them to sit down and learn the word so that they, too, can experience victory in their lives. (John 15:3) As they learn who they are in Christ and what belongs to them, we can see an increase of disciples and make a difference in our generation. 

Salvation is a gift---

                 

                               --Assembly required! 

                    

                                             Are you ready to assemble your gift?  (1)

                   
            As I pondered upon the joy of Salvation and its benefits, the Lord pointed out a couple of things that are essential to the body of Christ. Years ago, while driving along a country road, I passed by a church marquee that read "Salvation is a gift--Assembly required." It brought me back years to my childhood when my father brought me my first bike. 
                I used to walk by the store and see all those beautiful bikes on display so, naturally, I got excited when my dad told me that he was buying a bike for me. That day, he came home and brought a box. Then, I saw him take out his toolbox and, patiently, assembled the bike for me. When the finished product was done--Viola, I had a brand new bike to enjoy! 
               You may ask what is the point?  The point is in order to make proper use of your salvation, you need to open the package. Next, assembly is required. In the natural, my Dad helped me to assemble my gift, which was a bike. In the spiritual, the assembling of your gift comes through the church. Heb 10:25 says not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together. 
               If you accepted Jesus but are not going to church, your gift is not properly assembled. That is why people are pulling out their hairs and questioning God when He is saying assembly required. I thank God for Christian TV. It is a great side tool to have especially for the sick and shut ins but while you are healthy and strong, you need to find a good church. 
             Eph 4:8-16  is the key. A good church is one in which the five-fold ministries are in operation. Through the Holy Spirit, he assembles what is lacking in your gift so that you can enjoy your salvation and then tell others about it. As you do, you will find your place in Christ and be able to do exploits for him. Then, when you are fully matured, you can be a gift unto others as well. Amen. 

                                               (1) http://public.fotki.com/kelvinkay/collection_of_beaut/xmasparty061.html
       

Pastor's post---03/05/2015

                     
                                                

                           Courtesy of www.kosherstock.com-Matzo cracker


                           A look at communion--Part II

                  In our last study, we saw how the some of the disciples of Jesus misunderstood the message of communion. Many were offended when he spoke of eating his flesh and drinking his blood but Jesus was making a point. He was breaking them out of their traditions and religion to bring them to a higher place in God. Many times, we miss the true meaning of communion with the Pastor saying a few scriptures. Afterwards, we drink the grape juice and cracker and then go on our way.
                 The word says to do this in remembrance of me(Jesus). We see it as salvation for our spirits. We see the juice symbolic of his blood shed on the cross but that is as far as we go. We need to see the whole picture. Years ago, when I went to a Baptist church, this minister prior to having the church take communion issued some warnings. He said that communion was only for the saved. In that service, he warned the unsaved and those who were sinning, not to partake of the communion elements. How many times have you heard that warning being issued? ( I Cor 11:27-28)  
                  We can read it from scriptures, but Pastors need to issue a solemn warning. If there is any who is not saved, to make it plain and to, also, issue an invitation to Salvation. Also, we need to examine ourselves--Is there strife in our hearts, unforgiveness, sin,etc?  We need to pause and take inventory through the Holy Spirit. Folks, this is very serious in God's eyes and not doing it properly can cause many to get sick, weak or die. ( I Cor 11: 30) We are renewing God's covenant!
                   Another beauty of communion is to encourage people to look at the broken body. That body represents healing. I, for one, like to celebrate communion with the Matzo cracker. Why, because I believe that is unleavened bread and it was the bread that Jesus used to celebrate communion. Another reason why I, personally, like to use it is that the marking on it represents the stripes that Jesus took for you and me. 
           Physical healing is a part of Salvation. The Greek word  includes Spiritual, physical and financial salvation. A case in point is James 5:15. It says to save the sick. Why? Because the physical healing in one's body is physical salvation. When celebrating communion, Pastors ought to encourage their flocks to receive healing in their bodies and emotions. It is included in communion. In my next post, I will have more on communion. God bless. 

Other helpful links---

http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2015/03/pastors-post-03042015.html

http://wordandgrace.blogspot.com/2013/06/some-thoughts-on-lamb-of-god-part-1.html


                   

Pastor's notes----02/25/15

                                                                                                                 

                         
                                    http://bit.ly/17yAr0I---See note below (1)



                                             Questions about God!

                               In life, When Christians share their faith, there is always the question--If God exists, why do we have evil rampant around the world? Recently, I read an article in which Larry King expressed unbelief in God. Two statements that he said was the Holocaust and why does a baby die. I am not a "know it all", but I can search for answers through the word. The word says---We have the mind of Christ. Christ has been made unto us wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to answer questions and solve problems. Before we proceed, let's get one thing straight. I like Larry King. I don't agree with some of his points of views but I find his talk show interesting, and,at times,entertaining.                
                                 To be fair, he had some legitimate questions. He questioned God for the evil that has been happening in the world. Why would a loving and all-knowing God allow evil. Well, if I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. King, I would invite him to be born-again. Without a born-again experience, what I have to say from the word of God would be gibberish and he would have a hard time understanding it. (I Cor 2:14)
                              Notwithstanding, I would give it a shot and show him where it all began, It began in the garden of Eden. Adam was given this world by God (Ps 115:16) God entrusted Adam with the care of this world. We, all know, what happened. Adam bowed his knees unto Satan with his disobedience and what was garden of Eden became a fallen world under the control of Satan,
                          Furthermore, Satan blinded men through sin that they could not come to God, Sin opens the door to disaster. Let's start with the Holocaust. Concerning the Holocaust, let me take you thousands of years back when the Jews said that the blood of Jesus be upon themselves and children as a curse. (Matt 27:25) Mr. King, God did not have anything to do with the Holocaust. The Jews,in their hatred of the Lord Jesus, pronounced a curse that would haunt them for centuries,
                           Concerning the fact that God would allow a baby to die. The word says that my people die for lack of knowledge.(Hosea 4:6) The answer to that is in the word. When people pray and follow the laws of faith, miracles happen. God, also, has a plan for his people--- the Jews. When God took Ezekiel and gave him a vision of the future, he took him to a valley of dry bones.
                                 Why dry bones? Because God knew in his wisdom that his people would pronounce a curse upon themselves, So, he spoke his word in these dry bones and created a miracle. His people became the nation of Israel. (Eze 37:1-14) So, if that is not cause for you, Mr, King, to believe in God, I don't know what it will take.
                                   Jesus is the answer to every problem and need. Jesus became the second and last Adam so that we can enjoy God's best on earth and be assured of our salvation. (I Cor 15:44-47, Deut 11:21) God had to respect man's decision to give this earth to Satan through free will. So, in his wisdom, God became a man through Jesus Christ to open the door to Salvation.
                              Yes, we will have problems. Problems are a fact of life, but the good news is that we can find the answers we need by having a born-again experience and studying his word. I pray that maybe this blog will find itself in your hands, Mr.King, and you will find God in your life before it is too late. To those who are born again, let us pray that Mr.King and others like him find out that God is real and loves them all.

Link---http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/watchman-on-the-wall/48466-atheist-larry-king-needs-a-prophetic-word-from-god-right-now

(1) Permission was granted with the request to let all know that the copyright holder Angela George neither endorses nor agrees with the point of view listed above.

The Power of Joy!

                                   Be on the winning team--Don't lose your joy!

         
         "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
                                                (Isa 12:3)



               What is joy? Many confuse joy with happiness. Happy comes from happenstance which means a circumstance that is due to chance. (1) We, all know, that the being happy is dictated by the circumstances. When all goes well, we are happy. When it does not, we are sad. Joy is different.
               Joy is a fruit of the spirit.(2) Feeling weak? Start singing songs and dance for the Lord. Remember the joy of the Lord is your strength! (3) But, you may say---I don't feel like being joyful. It is not based on a feeling, but on what the word says. One thing to remember when you are going through a trial or testing----God knows the end from the beginning. YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US! (4)
                That means that you are on the winning team! That means that your circumstances can change if you use the word by faith. Feeling dry? Start using that joy to bring out the waters of salvation! Isa 12:3 says that you have a well inside of you! That well is Jesus! That well is never dry!
                  That well will encourage and refresh you! We need to be covenant-minded in order to understand joy. Having health or financial issues? Dealing with stress and anxieties? Learn to laugh at your problems. You have a covenant with God through Jesus, our Lord! Learn to laugh at your enemies of sickness, debt, financial oppression,stress and anxieties. God does.
                  When you read Ps 2, you will find that God laughs at his enemies. You should, too! Why? When you have a covenant with God, your enemies become his enemies. Be encouraged because you matter with God. You have a friend in high places. When I saw the Godfather movie, I remember Vito Coleone saying that if you had him as a friend, your enemies would fear you! (5) Vito Coleone was a powerful mafia man with friends in high places. He had the muscle and he had the connections. 
                     How much more with God? Jesus is Lord over all! A point to remember is when a king laughed and you were in his court, you'd better laugh even if you did not understand the joke. Your life could be at stake if you did not laugh. It was a sign of disrespect. Friend, let's see the whole picture! You win with God----Hands down, so learn to laugh at your problems. 
                  Laughter is healthy and will improve your health. Medical science says that if you laugh for 10 minutes daily, your health will improve. Learn to understand the power of Joy.(6) Joy took the children of Israel out of bondage and it will with you too! So, friend, let not your heart be troubled. Rejoice for you have the victory. Learn to activate the joy that lies inside of you. You'll be glad you did--God bless! 


Verses provided by www.biblegateway.com


References:

 (1) http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happenstance
 (2) Gal 5:22
 (3) Neh 8:10
 (4) Rom 8:37  
 (5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCdcXoLs_NY       
 (6) Ps 105:43                  

The Sinner's prayer!

If you don't know Jesus in the pardon of your sins, then pray this prayer...
Dear Lord, I am a sinner. Forgive me for my sins. Come into my heart and make me a new creation. Your death, burial and resurrection have now become mine. I accept you as Lord. I believe that God has raised you from the dead and I am saved! Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. I am born again and I will serve you the rest of my life!
If you have prayed this prayer, please let us know filling out the contact form on this blog, so that we can rejoice with you and remember YOU HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST!