THE REASON FOR THE SEASON IS OUR SAVIOR

Today’s Streaming Faith Devotional sums up the true reason for the season.

If Jesus was not born, we probably would not have a savior, but God had a great plan.

Happy Reading!!!

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.

Take a Minute to Analyse Your Christian Life…Is Your Calling and Election sure?

TIME OUT!

Pastor Murrell began this morning by telling us to TIME OUT!

It is time to stop the vehicle, then check the gas, check the engine, check the oil etc”….for we have been going to church for the entire year, but it is time to stop and do an internal check in order to make sure everything is in order for our upcoming Christian journeys…

Is your calling and election really sure?

He goes on to add that “the entire world is called but few are elected or in other words, only some are chosen, and the  Lord confirms this in scripture:

We all are called, but how many of us, who say we are Christians can really say and believe deep down inside that we will be elected.?

Which one of us is so obedient to God, His word and will, that if the world ends, tomorrow, they can say, yes I will be part of the elected and God will not say…”Depart from me I never knew you”?

He says in Matthew 7:

²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

In all that we do, can we honestly say that we KNOW Christ?

Do we really know, and honestly live the will of God and obey His commandments or do we only do it in church and before man?

Do we have an intimate relationship with Him?

I believe that God is calling for true Christians who will not only preach the talk, but live the walk; true Christians who will do the will of God and seek intimacy with him and not the “wishy washy” type of hypocrite who will walk the walk in front their friends and in church, then wreck havoc in the home and lead a life of pure immorality. This is definitely not the type of person who will inherit His Kingdom.

To help us, Peter gives us one simple word to help us in our walk to making our calling and election sure. In 2 Peter1:10 he says:

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give DILIGENCE to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall”.

Peter tells us that diligence is key; diligence in the word of God as instrumental to ensuring that your calling and election is sure.

Before this he highlights a few things which we have to do in order to make our election sure as follows:

2 Peter: 5-7

⁵And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

This is indeed my favourite scripture. I was more than glad to hear the Pastor make reference to it today as one of the many guides which Lord gives us in his word, on which we can fashion our christian journey. This is actually a passage which I used as my own personal guide, when I wanted to find out from God what He wanted in me as a christian and every week, I would meditate on analyse, each word, find scripture relating to each word and ask God to fill me with each quality, before asking him to add the other.

Can you say that you calling and election is sure?

Here are some scriptures that would help us in the journey to making our calling and election sure:

• Matthew 5: 20
• Matthew 7:13
• Matthew 7:21-23
• Matthew 18:3
• Matthew 19:17
• Matthew 23:25
• Mark 9:43-47
• Luke 12:47-18
• John 3:16
• John 18:3
• Revelation 21:27

What is the Holy Spirit Saying to you in Your Witness?

While drifting off to sleep early Wednesday morning, The Holy Spirit said to me in the witness: “Music is like an injection of a spirit into the atmosphere”.

I urge you today to pay a little more attention to what music you listen to, you could be encouraging the wrong spirits into your life. Do enjoy your day!o

How to Live A Christian Life

Here are seven tips which will assist you in living  a christian life:

1. Find a local church that teaches the Holy Bible, and attend as often as possible
2. Get hold of the Holy Bible
3. Keep asking God for help to make it, and He will. (that’s prayer)
4. Tell others about your new life and new experiences
5. Avoid everything that would hinder the effort of making it
6. Associate with those who would respect your decision
7. Commit to stand for the truth of God’s word even in the midst of opposition

 

The Azusa Street Revival

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability” (Acts 2:4).

Front page shot of The Apostolic Faith, which was the instrument God used to spread the Pentecostal message around the world. At its height, the newspaper had a circulation of 50,000.

Have you ever read about the Azusa Street Revival?

I always hear Pastor Murrell talk about this Azusa Street Revival but I never really had the urge to research it. Today I decided to do it simply because he speaks about it so often and with such great excitement, especially when he mentions the vast outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that I believe that it must have been something great.

So I did a search on Google and was surprised to even see that Azusa Street has its own website .

The Azusa Street revival services began in 1906 and were marked by continuous and powerful outpourings of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. This was the result of constant praying of the Christians in the area for the Holy Spirit to be outpoured in the church. They hungered for God and sought Him for long periods. So many persons reported powerful testimonies as a result of being part of this revival. One man Charles Mason reported:

“These signs shall follow them that believe. In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17, 18).

I had a false interpretation in my heart concerning the speaking in tongues. I did not take it literally as I did “they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” For years God had given me the knowledge of healing, and He had marvelously wrought with me and many cases of disease had been delivered. I interpreted the speaking in tongues to mean that we left off blaspheming, etc. Both when I got to the place where, hungering and thirsting for God, I consented to His Word, I saw that we did not need that interpretation, that the only reason we were not enjoying the speaking in tongues was because we did not accept it.

Then I felt I had gone to the end of myself. I had the care of a pastor over many flocks far and near and yet was so hungry and thirsty. The Lord showed me the humility of Jesus. How He came and presented Himself for baptism with the rest. I saw that I should not be above my Master. If He needed the Holy Ghost, I needed it to do the will of God, and Jesus would give me a better consolation to my own heart.

In order to loosen my hands from everything, the Lord showed me how Moses was concerned about Jethro’s sheep in the desert. He saw the bush of fire and God got his attention and got him on the ground where he could speak to Him. He showed me how the disciples forsook their nets, and even when they had received their commission, He stopped them to tarry at Jerusalem that they might receive the promise.

I had a great desire in my heart to come to Los Angeles. I had preached the Pentecost to my people and they were hungry for it. When I came, it was not strange to me for the Lord had showed it to me in a vision. I went to the altar and the Lord put a parable before me, “If you were going to marry would you be sad?” I said, “No, when I was going to be married, I was glad.” He showed me this was wedlock to Christ. If there was anything imperfect about me, He would make it right and marry me anyway. Then my faith was settled and laid firmly hold on the promise.

As I arose from the altar and took my seat, I fixed my eyes on Jesus, and the Holy Ghost took charge of me. I surrendered perfectly to Him and consented to Him. Then I began singing a song in unknown tongues, and it was the sweetest thing to have Him sing that song through me. He had complete charge of me. I let Him have my mouth and everything. After that it seemed I was standing at the cross and heard Him as He groaned, the dying groans of Jesus, and I groaned. It was not my voice but the voice of my Beloved that I heard in me. When we got through with that, He started the singing again in unknown tongues. When the singing stopped I felt that complete death, it was my life going out, but it was complete death to me. When He had finished this, I let Him hold my hands up, and they rested just as easily up as down. Then He turned on the joy of it. He began to lift me up. I was passive in His hands, I was not going to do a thing. I could hear the people but did not let anything bother me. It came to me, “I charge thee, Oh daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up nor awake my Beloved until He please” (Song of Solomon 8:4). He lifted me to my feet and then the light of heaven fell upon me and burst into me filling me. Then God took charge of my tongue and I went to preaching in tongues. I could not change my tongue. The glory of God filled the temple. The gestures of my hands and movements of my body were His. Oh, it was marvelous and I thank God for giving it to me in His way. Such an indescribable peace and quietness went all through my flesh and into my very brain and has been there ever since.

See some of  the other powerful testimonies here

What an experience that seems to have been!

Pastor William J Seyomour was the great man who lead the revival services on Azusa Street in California and judging form his sermons he was surely a powerful man in delivering The Message. Further information about his life and ministry can be assed here.

After reading about this great revival as I can pray is:“YES LORD, SEND US AN ASUZA STREET EXPERIENCE”…”OH SEND US ANOTEHR PENTECOST EXPERIENCE”

Here are some other sources which you can research for yourself:

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=3321

http://www.twelvetribes.org/pdf/freepapers/azusa-street-revival.pdf – This one is an excellent piece which gives an overview of the Azusa Street Revival with additional information on the power of the Holy Spirit, the Pentecostal Experience, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. THIS IS A MUST- READ.

Join us for five nights of fire at the Pegwell Community Church – October 25-29, 2009

Link to our event website.

Setting the House In Order for REVIVAL

So this morning’s sermon was about setting your house in order for revival. Even though his analysis of our church seemed a bit harsh at times, he was in his right as the leader of our church to tell us that we really need to get rid of all the old ashes from in our house (our body/our heart) in order to prepare ourselves for a new revival.

Take a look at 2 Chronicles 29 and you will see how a revival was accomplished in the church.

The Pegwell Community Church is preparing for their revival services to take place on October 25 to October 29, 2009.  We are praying for the fire of God to fall upon our church and the entire church of Barbados.

We talk about revival but , what is revival?

According to Pastor Murrell, Revivals are evangelistic crusades and continue to be relevant in these days, They can provide the following benefits for the local church:

1. Lost people can be saved
2. Believers can be sanctified
3. Sanctified Christians can be renewed
4. Those who have fallen can rise and return yo the Lord
5. The church as a whole can be awakened from indifference and inactivity
6. Families and other relationships can be healed
7. Church unity can be enhanced
8. Persons can be inspired to new levels of Christian commitment
9. church finances can increase
10. Pastor and spouse can be encouraged in their ministries

Key Texts on Revival

Psalm 85:6

Habbakkuk 3:2

Ten Ways to Study the Word of God:

Tips from Pastor Murrell of the Pegwell Community Church

Ten ways to study the word of God:

1.    Dedicate time to the Word of God
2.    Pray for understanding of the word of God
3.    Put forth real effort. Do not go to spend time with God when you are really sleep because chances are, you will fall asleep and will have no time with God.
4.    Have a purpose – Know why you are ready the word, Know your aim and what you are seeking from God this way, you read with purpose and not just read for reading sake and because you know it is something you should do
5.    Use a scriptural journal in which you would recorded your journey with God and your spiritual accomplishments
6.    Invite the spirit with some very soft music (this is optional)
7.    Humble yourself before the Lord. Pray for the Lord’s guidance and for Him to take total control in your spiritual journey because He knows all, and is able to guide you
8.    Go line upon line and precept upon precept. Don’t jump all over the place.
9.    Personally app

Ryan Mark’s Video – Right With You

Great Music from Ryan Mark.

This is Our World

I was browsing yesterday’s Barbados Advocate and I came across some very interesting articles;  some of which caused me to marvel in the greatness of God, His blessings and His wonderful world creations, and others that just made me wonder…

I want to share the articles with you.

Your comments are welcome.

The following shows a welcome for Ryan Brathwaite, a Barbadian Athlete who won a gold medal at the 2009 World Championships.

Congratulations Ryan and we thank God for your talent.

Indeed, God gives us talent in so many areas but we must step out, believe and act and we will reap rewards.

Look at the beautiful creation of graffiti. God has really given us talents in various areas and He deserves all the glory and praise for blessing us.

This following was one that baffled me. Flogging or Jail for woman in pants…

The next article speaks about a specie of turtles which I have never heard about and seen. If only we could get a glimpse of the deep deep forest areas and see what other beautiful creations God has placed on this earth. Adam must have had a time naming these.

And this one…

Do have a wonderful Wednesday.

God Bless You!

The Great Commission (Mark 16:14-18)

Today’s Bible Food for Thought

14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.