Ministering  Worldwide the Good News of the Gospel of  Jesus Christ

 

        

 Challenge Of                               

     Faith Ministries 

        Consider This           

                                                                                                   

"TROUBLES" ARE OFTEN THE "TOOLS" BY WHICH GOD FASHIONS US FOR BETTER THINGS"

               

"ARE YOU IN PRISON?"
 
Many Christians are in a "PRISON WITHOUT BARS" because they have an "UNFORGIVING SPIRIT!" It is a "SIN" that can hold back the "POWER OF GOD" in our lives. One of the GREATEST GIFTS given to all who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior is "FORGIVENESS."
 
     "IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION, THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE        "FORGIVENESS" OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE." Ephesians 1:7 
 
Jesus spoke about a certain King who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One was brought to him who OWED TEN THOUSAND TALENTS. Because he could not PAY, the King commanded that he be SOLD, along with his wife and children so that "PAYMENT" could be made. "The Servant fell down before him, saying "MASTER, HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME, AND I WILL PAY YOU ALL." The Servant was "BANKRUPT" how could he ever hope to "PAY" such a GREAT DEBT. IMPOSSIBLE!
 
"Then the Master of that Servant was MOVED WITH COMPASSION, "RELEASED" him, and "FORGAVE" him the DEBT." What a wonderful "GIFT" this Servant received from the King that was absolutely AMAZING. Friend, that is an EXACT picture of you and of me. "WE OWED A SIN DEBT THAT WE COULD NOT PAY, CHRIST PAID A SIN DEBT HE DID NOT OWE." He PAID it so that our DEBT OF SIN could be completely "FORGIVEN." How much that should HUMBLE our hearts with a spirit of GRATITUDE. Salvation is "FREE" BUT IT "COST" JESUS!
 
Do you recall those famous words of Paul Harvey "NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY." The Servant whose "DEBT" the King completely "FORGAVE" went out and found one of his fellow Servants who OWED him a hundred denarii. He laid hands on him, took him by the throat and said, "PAY ME WHAT YOU OWE!" "So his fellow Servant fell down at his feet, and BEGGED him, saying, "HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME, AND I WILL PAY YOU ALL..... BUT HE WOULD NOT!" Matthew 18:21-36
 
DID YOU HEAR THAT? It is so hard to believe that this "FORGIVEN" servant would ever do such a thing. He had just been FORGIVEN "MILLIONS" by the King, and yet, he could not FORGIVE a man his TEN DOLLAR DEBT. Is it any wonder that the King upon hearing what he had done, called him a WICKED Servant, and rightly so.
 
Fellow Believer, WE MAKE A "MOCKERY" of the "FORGIVENESS" Christ has "FREELY" given to us, if we cannot "FORGIVE" those who have in some way offended us. "Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, 'FORGIVING" one another, even as GOD IN CHRIST HAS FORGIVEN YOU." Ephesians 4:32 How often we have prayed "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES "AS WE" FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US." 
 
Would we really want the Lord to "FORGIVE" us in the same way we "FORGIVE" others? Friend, AN "UNFORGIVING" SPIRIT KEEPS YOU IN PRISON! It keeps you BOUND! IS THAT WHERE YOU WANT TO REMAIN? You can release yourself from this PRISON WITHOUT BARS, when you surrender your WILL to the WILL and WORD of GOD, and manifest to others a "GRACIOUS" AND "FORGIVING" spirit. YOU WILL THEN BE 
                            
            "FREE AT LAST."
 
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"THOSE BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES"


I OFTEN SAID TO MY DAD BEFORE HE PASSED ON TO GLORY, "DAD, DO NOT STOP WALKING! KEEP YOUR LEGS STRONG WITH SOME EXERCISE BY WALKING EACH DAY!" AND HE DID! WELL, YESTERDAY, VIVIAN AND I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME THAT WE GET SOME WALKING EXERCISE, SO WE DROVE DOWN TO THE BEACH

AND "CASUALLY" WALKED ALONG THE SIDEWALK OF OCEAN DRIVE A1A. AFTER

WALKING A FAIR DISTANCE, WE CROSSED OVER TO THE BEACH WHERE THERE IS A SMALL BOARDWALK AND UPON REACHING THE END OF IT, WE SAT DOWN TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL OCEAN VIEW.

 

SUDDENLY, WHILE SITTING THERE, A HOST OF BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES FLUTTERED

BY US. MY WIFE SAID, "THEY ARE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES!" I MUST ADMIT, THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, AND SO MANY FLUTTERING AROUND WITH THEIR COLORFUL WINGS.

 

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THERE WAS JUST A COCOON. AT THIS STAGE OF ITS EXISTENCE, THERE WAS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT ITS LOOKS. THEN, AFTER SUFFICIENT TIME HAD PASSED, SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HAPPENED, FOR OUT OF THAT COCOON, CAME A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY! YOU SEE, BY THE PROCESS OF "METAMORPHOSE" THAT COCOON WAS "TRANSFORMED" INTO A THING OF BEAUTY!

 

THE SAME WORD "METAMORPHOSE" WHICH MEANS TO CHANGE IN FORM OR NATURE,

OR TO TRANSFORM, IS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES. THE APOSTLE PAUL, WRITING TO THE CHURCH IN ROME, RECORDED THESE WORDS OF TRUTH. "I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE FELLOW BELIEVERS, HAVING YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN TO THE MERCIES OF GOD, PRESENT YOUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE TO GOD WHICH IS YOUR

REASONABLE SERVICE, AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE

 

"TRANSFORMED" - "METAMORPHOSED"

 

BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD." Romans 12:1-2

 

FELLOW BELIEVERS, OUR LORD WANTS TO MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL OUT OF EACH ONE OF OUR LIVES. HE WANTS TO MAKE US VESSELS OF BEAUTY AS WE ARE EMPOWERED BY THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT. BY HIS "TRANSFORMING" POWER, HE WILL ENABLE US TO MANIFEST THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL, FOR AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW." Galatians 5:22-23 "WALK IN THE SPIRIT AND YOU WILL NOT FULFILL THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH.

"THE ACTS OF THE FLESH ARE OBVIOUS,

SEXUAL IMMORALITY, DEBAUCHERY, IMPURITY,   IDOLATRY AND WITCHCRAFT, HATRED AND DISCORD, JEALOUSY, AND FITS OF RAGE, SELFISH AMBITION ND DISSENSIONS, FACTIONS AND ENVY, DRUNKENNESS, ORGIES, AND THE LIKE." Galatians 5:16-21 "SINCE WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, LET US KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT." Galatians 5:25

 

WITH A

TRANSFORMED" OR "METAMORPHOSED" LIFE, WE ALL WILL SING:


LET THE BEAUTY OF JESUS BE SEEN IN ME

ALL HIS WONDERFUL PASSION AND PURITY O THOU SPIRIT DIVINE, ALL MY NATURE REFINE TILL THE BEAUTY OF JESUS BE SEEN IN ME.

 

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            "IS THE "TIGER"
 
           OUT OF CONTROL?"
 
The news has been heavy with reports about the trouble the great golf player "THE TIGER"  has been experiencing these days. It is truly sad that such
an outstanding athlete would ever think that he was invincible and could do anything he pleased and not one day pay dearly for the wrong steps he took that has greatly damaged the relationship with those he professed to love.
"THE TIGER" doesn't stand alone with this problem, for the Media is explosive with news of many who are going through the same difficult times. May the Lord help them solve their problems for if they would turn to JESUS, "HE IS ABLE TO DO THE EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY BEYOND WHAT WE EVEN ASK OR THINK."
 
HOWEVER, when I ask, "IS THE TIGER RUNNING WILD?" I am not referring to "THE TIGER" who can drive a golf ball a mile and land it on the green next to the hole for a birdie! NO, I am speaking about the "TIGER" that is part of the
human body called the
 
                      "TONGUE
   THAT CAN OFTEN RUN WILD AND 
       CAUSE A PACK OF TROUBLE!
Have you ever found yourself saying something you thought you would never say? I know I have, and how I wished I could retrieve the words that
were spoken!  As children we used to say:

"STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES
        BUT WORDS WILL NEVER HURT ME!"
 
We wanted to give the impression that unkind words, expressions, or insults, did not really give any pain, but down deep in our hearts we really
knew better.
 
           Words can hurt! Words can harm!
       Yes, words can actually destroy a person!
 Words can destroy a good persons reputation!
 
James, the brother of our Lord, reminds us that "The "TONGUE" is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." The Apostle Paul writing to Titus said, "In all things show yourself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing un-corruptness and sincerity,
                            "SOUND SPEECH"
     THAT CANNOT BE CONDEMNED!" Titus 2:7-8

Too often, we open our mouths to gossip and criticize, whereas, we are exhorted to
 
 "LET OUR SPEECH BE ALWAYS WITH GRACE,
                 SEASONED WITH SALT,
              THAT WE MAY KNOW HOW
   WE OUGHT TO ANSWER EVERY PERSON."
                                             Colossians 4:6
 
God speaks to human hearts through words, and He wants to control us by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, so that we become a channel through whom He brings the LOVE OF CHRIST to needy hearts.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering.
                   And above all these things, 

                     PUT ON LOVE
 
which is the bond of completeness."
                                         Colossians 3:12-14 
 
       SPEAK THE  LOVE OF CHRIST
 
                                           BUT
      
       HOLD THAT DEADLY TIGER!
 
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                  "IT'S CHANGELESS!"             

George Denny, Jr., founder and moderator of America's Town Meeting of the Air, used to tell the story of the New York newspaper reporter who went up to Maine to interview an old fellow who was approaching his "100th" BIRTHDAY. He approached the elderly gentleman politely, and said, "Sir, you must have seen a great many changes during your hundred years." The old man gazed steadily at him, then replied, "Yes, and I've been agin' 'em all."
 
We are living in a day when so called religious men think they know better what is "TRUE" and what can be "DELETED" from the Bible. They think they know better than those who were EYEWITNESSES OF THE "LIFE" "DEATH" "BURIAL" AND "RESURRECTION" OF JESUS CHRIST. They want to write their own version of the Word of God, and pardon my using the old gentleman's answer, but I must say, "I'm agin' 'em all."
 
            WE DO NOT NEED A "NEW CHRISTIANITY" FOR A "NEW WORLD"
   WE NEED THE "OLD BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY" FOR THE "WHOLE WORLD!" 
 
It's all part of the movement taking place today to build a ONE WORLD CHURCH that SETS ASIDE "ABSOLUTES" and accepts whatever you want to believe hoping it will break down barriers and build a peaceful world. Let's face it, accepting the ABSOLUTES of the Holy, Infallible Word of God, places us at odds with this man made movement, for we believe what Jesus clearly stated when He said, "I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, "NO ONE" COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME." John 14:6 "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE." John 6:35 "I AM THE DOOR, IF ANYONE ENTERS BY ME, HE WILL BE SAVED." John 10:9
 
True Believer's  have a HEART OF LOVE for ALL MANKIND, that ALL might believe in Christ for their secure eternal salvation, but we stand firm on the "ABSOLUTES" OF SCRIPTURE BECAUSE: "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK." II Timothy 3:16-17
 
Revelation 22:18-19 states, "For I testify to EVERYONE who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone ADDS to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone TAKES AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the BOOK OF LIFE, from the HOLY CITY, and from the things which are written in the book," 
 
That is very clear isn't it? In Christ's High Priestly prayer of intercession for all believers, He prayed: "Father, I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of this world, just as I AM NOT OF THIS WORLD. Sanctify them by YOUR TRUTH. YOUR WORD IS TRUTH." John 17:14-17 Every believer "HAS BEEN BORN AGAIN, NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED, BUT "INCORRUPTIBLE" THROUGH THE "WORD OF GOD" WHICH LIVES AND ABIDES "FOREVER." I Peter 1:23
 
How long does the Word of God abide?
 
                "FOREVER!"
 
 IT IS CHANGELESS! God help us to be like  Abraham of old: "HE DID NOT WAVER AT THE PROMISE OF GOD THROUGH UNBELIEF, BUT WAS STRENGTHENED IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD, AND BEING FULLY PERSUADED THAT WHAT GOD HAD PROMISED HE WAS ALSO ABLE TO PERFORM." Romans 4 20-21 O YES, FRIENDS
                  
STAND FIRM ON THE PROMISES OF GOD, FOR JESUS NEVER FAILS.
 
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THE PROPHET "ISAIAH" CLEARLY FORETOLD THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE DAY WE NOW CALL 

                                          "GOOD FRIDAY!"
   
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:5-7
 
          "THE PASSOVER LAMB OF GOD!"
 
Ray Boltz wrote the lyrics and music to a song I love to sing and
it tells the story of a Jewish father on his way to Jerusalem with his two sons and their precious little lamb to observe the          "PASSOVER!" Ponder these words:
 
"Walking down the road to Jerusalem, the time had come to
  sacrifice again. My two sons, they walked beside me on the
  road, the reason that they came, was to watch the lamb.  
  Daddy, Daddy, what will we see there, there's so much that
  we don't understand. So I told them of Moses and Father    Abraham, and then I said,
           
              "DEAR CHILDREN, WATCH THE LAMB!”
 
There will be so many in Jerusalem today, we must be very sure
 the lamb doesn't run away. Then I told them of Moses and Father
 Abraham, and then I said,
               "DEAR CHILDREN, WATCH THE LAMB."
 
When we reached the city, I knew something must be wrong, for  there were no joyful worshippers, no joyful worship songs. I   stood there with my children in the midst of angry men, and then I heard the crowd cry out,
 
                   "CRUCIFY HIM!"  "CRUCIFY HIM!
 
We tried to leave the city, but we could not get away. Forced to play in this drama a part I did not wish to play. Why upon this day, were men condemned to die? Why were we standing here when soon they would pass by? I looked, and said, "Even now they come," the first one cried for mercy, but the people gave him none. The second one was violent, he was arrogant and loud, I still can hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd.
 
THEN, someone said, "THERE'S JESUS," I scarce believed my eyes. A Man so badly beaten, He barely looked alive. Blood poured down His body from the thorns upon His brow, running down the cross and falling to the ground. I watched Him as He struggled, I watched Him as He fell, the CROSS came down upon His back, and the crowd began to yell. In that moment I felt such agony, in that  moment I felt such loss, until a Roman soldier grabbed my arm, and screamed,
                   "YOU! CARRY HIS CROSS!"
 
At first I tried to resist him, then his hand reached for his sword. So I knelt down, and took the Cross from the Lord. I placed it on my shoulder and started down the street, the blood that He'd been shedding was running down my cheek. They led us to Golgotha, they drove nails into His hands and feet, and yet upon the Cross He prayed,
                      "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM!"
 
O never have I seen such LOVE in any other eyes,
 
        "INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT,
             HE PRAYED, AND THEN HE DIED!"
           
I stood, it seemed like ages, I had lost all sense of time, until I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine. I saw my children weeping, and I heard the oldest say,
 
      "FATHER, PLEASE FORGIVE US, OUR LAMB
 
                                   RAN AWAY."
 
Daddy, Daddy, what have we seen here today, there's so much that we don't understand. So I took them in my arms, and we turned and faced the CROSS, and then I said, "Dear Children, 
                                            
                          "WATCH THE LAMB!"
 
One day, John the Baptist, seeing Jesus coming toward him shouted
                          "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD,
        WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD."         John 1:36
 
                                   The Apostle Peter wrote,
"We are not redeemed with perishable things as silver and gold, but, with the precious BLOOD of CHRIST, as of a LAMB without BLEMISH and without SPOT." I Peter 1:18-19
 
Friend, because of this most precious day, "GOOD FRIDAY," there will come a day when every person who has placed a LIVING FAITH in the LIVING LORD JESUS CHRIST, will sing with the multitudes in heaven above,
 
 "Worthy is the LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, "Blessing and honor and glory and power
be to Him who sits on the throne, AND TO THE                                  LAMB FOREVER AND EVER!"
 
Today, the “FREE GIFT” of Forgiveness and Eternal Salvation can be yours, because, JESUS CHRIST, the LAMB OF GOD, paid the Supreme Sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. Friend, have you trusted Him as your Personal Lord and Savior?
 
If YES, REJOICE IN WHAT YOU POSSESS IN CHRIST!
If you have NOT, I urge you to receive Him as your Lord and Savior
                        NOW!
 
"When I survey the wondrous Cross, on which the Prince of
  Glory died. My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt 
   on all my pride. See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow
   and love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and sorrow 
   meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown. Were the whole realm
   of nature mine, that were a present far too small.
 
                  LOVE SO AMAZING, SO DIVINE,
           DEMANDS MY SOUL, MY LIFE, MY ALL!

     BLESSED HOLY SPIRIT MEET EACH ONE'S NEED TODAY!

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IF TODAY WERE YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH WOULD YOU GO TO HEAVEN? 

 IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW THIS WITH FULL ASSURANCE, AND YOU CAN!

 

MY FATHER, REV. PAUL BARTKOW, WAS A WINDOW CLEANER. HE ESTABLISHED THE CHESTER HOUSE & WINDOW CLEANING CO., AND IT WAS DURING HIS DAILY SCHEDULE CLEANING THE WINDOWS OF THE STORES IN CHESTER, PA., THAT A GENTLEMAN WOULD STAND BESIDE HIM AND SPEAK TO HIM ABOUT JESUS CHRIST. DAY AFTER DAY HE HEARD AND SAW THE VERSES IN THE BIBLE

THAT CLEARLY STATED THAT A PERSON COULD KNOW WITH FULL ASSURANCE THAT HE HAS BEEN SAVED FROM THE GUILT AND CONDEMNATION OF SIN AND POSSESS THE GUARANTY OF ETERNAL LIFE BY TRULY CONFESSING JESUS CHRIST AS HIS PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR.

 

THIS FAITHFUL WITNESS WOULD OPEN THE BIBLE TO I JOHN 5 AND READ, "AND THIS IS THE TESTIMONY. GOD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE, AND THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON. HE WHO HAS THE SON HAS LIFE; HE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE SON OF GOD DOES NOT HAVE LIFE. I WRITE THESE THINGS TO YOU WHO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD SO THAT YOU MAY

                                                  "KNOW"

THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE." 1 John 5:11-14

WELL, HEARING THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN, HE FINALLY DECIDED THAT HE WOULD ASK HIS MINISTER SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT HE WAS HEARING. NOW UNDERSTAND, MY FATHER WAS ACTIVE IN THIS CHURCH HE WAS ATTENDING. BUT, WHEN HE BEGAN TO QUESTION THE PASTOR WITH AN OPEN BIBLE,

THAT WAS GIVEN TO HIM, THE PASTOR WOULD ONLY SAY, "PAUL, YOU ARE ALRIGHT, JUST GO HOME AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING!" HOWEVER, THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH, HE WANTED ANSWERS TO THE

QUESTIONS HE HAD ABOUT THE BIBLE. HE WANTED TO KNOW HOW HE COULD HAVE THE 

ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION.

 

THE MINISTER REFUSED TO ANSWER HIS QUESTIONS, EVEN THOUGH MY FATHER TOLD HIM HE WOULD SIT OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE UNTIL HE SPOKE TO HIM WITH ANSWERS TO HIS QUESTIONS.

WELL, THAT NEVER HAPPENED AND FINALLY, IN TEARS HE LEFT AND BOARDED THE TROLLEY CAR TO GO HOME. SITTING THERE ON THE TROLLEY WITH TEARS ROLLING DOWN HIS FACE, HE OPENED THE BIBLE, AND IT OPENED AT THE 14TH CHAPTER OF THE GOSPEL OF

JOHN AND AT VERSE 6, HE READ THESE POWERFUL WORDS OF JESUS:

 

"I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, NO ONE CAN COME TO THE FATHER

EXCEPT BY ME!"

 

Reading these words of Jesus over and over again, my Dad bowed his head and his heart and

said, "JESUS, I WILL FOLLOW YOU!" There on that trolley car going home, he accepted JESUS CHRIST as his personal LORD and SAVIOR, and in that moment all doubts were gone about his future destiny, and he knew by the authority of the Word of God, that he had received the gift of eternal life. The Lord led him into the ministry and as he faithfully shared the Good News of the Gospel, many opened their hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ, and he was used of the Lord to establish a number of Churches and "THE UKRAINIAN EVANGELICAL MISSION SOCIETY!" With the Authority of the Word of God, my Father with great conviction proclaimed:

 

             SINCE JESUS IS "THE WAY"

"ALL" WHO TRUST IN HIM AS LORD AND SAVIOR CAN NEVER BE LOST. BELIEVER'S NOW CAN SAY, "ONCE I WAS LOST BUT NOW I AM FOUND!"

 

                      JESUS SAID,

 "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE AND I KNOW THEM AND THEY FOLLOW ME, AND I GIVE TO THEM ETERNAL LIFE AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH NOR CAN ANYONE EVER PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND." JOHN 10:27-28

 

          SINCE JESUS IS "THE TRUTH" 

YOU CAN TRUST HIS WORD, FOR HIS WORD IS TRUTH! WHEN YOU KEEP IN THE WORD, YOU WILL NEVER BE DECEIVED BY SATAN, THE FATHER OF ALL LIES.

     

         SINCE JESUS IS "THE LIFE"

"ALL" WHO TRUST IN HIM AS LORD AND SAVIOR POSSESS THE "GIFT" OF ETERNAL LIFE.

 

"FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. Romans 8:38-39

 

FRIEND, DO YOU HAVE THIS ASSURANCE?

              JESUS IS THE ANSWER!

                                     TRUST HIM ALONE!

 

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          "IN THE VALLEY WE GROW!"

"BUT "GROW" IN GRACE, AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR 

 JESUS CHRIST. TO HIM BE GLORY BOTH NOW AND FOR EVER. AMEN" I Peter 3:19

"AS NEWBORN BABIES, DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD

     THAT YOU MAY "GROW" THEREBY."      

I Peter 2:2

LET'S LEARN A GREAT LESSON TOGETHER

IT’S IN THE VALLEY WE GROW!

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the "valleys" I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,


Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the "valleys" I grow.
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.


My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the "valleys" I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the "valleys" I grow!

                                                                               by Jane Eggleston

 

"THAT WE HENCEFORTH BE NO MORE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO AND CARRIED

ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, BY THE SLEIGHT OF MEN, AND CUNNING

CRAFTINESS, WHEREBY THEY LIE IN WAIT TO DECEIVE, BUT SPEAKING THE TRUTH

IN LOVE, MAY "GROW UP" INTO HIM IN "ALL" THINGS, WHO IS THE HEAD, EVEN

JESUS CHRIST!"

REMEMBER, ALTHOUGH WE ALL WOULD LOVE TO LIVE EACH DAY

ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP, THE VALLEYS DO COME, AND WE KNOW

IT'S IN THE VALLEY WE GROW!

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    "WHAT IS GOD'S GREATEST CONCERN FOR US?"
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Some years ago, this story was recorded in the "The Christian Worker's Magazine."
It's about a Young Man who decided to grow Peaches. It caught my attention because
I have relatives in Canada who grew the most delicious Cherries, and other fruit. They
knew so well the importance of a favorable temperature during the budding and
growing season. 
 
Well, this Young Man went all out, investing everything he had to develop his Orchard.
But, one spring, disaster struck, when a heavy FROST wiped out most of the Peach
Blossoms. When Sunday came, he wasn't in Church. The next week he was again
absent, and the same thing was true the following Lord's Day. His Pastor became
concerned and went to visit him. The Young Man said, "I'M NOT GOING TO CHURCH
ANYMORE! Do you think I can worship a GOD who cares so little for me that he will let a
FROST KILL all my Peaches?"
 
The Minister replied, "God loves you better than He does your Peaches. He knows that
while Peaches do better without FROST, it's "IMPOSSIBLE" to "GROW" THE "BEST MEN"
WITH OUT FROSTS. GOD'S OBJECTIVE IS TO "GROW MEN" NOT PEACHES" even though
He is the Creator of Peaches. Hard words to accept, you say?  Without a doubt it is a HARD
and DIFFICULT lesson for anyone to learn,
 
                                                    BUT ONE WE MUST LEARN! 
                               THE FROSTS OF LIFE DO COME BUT
                                    IT'S IN THE VALLEY WE GROW!
 
When the Apostle Paul prayed for the Believer's in the Church at Colosse, for what did he
pray? He prayed.. "WE do not CEASE to PRAY for YOU, and to ASK that you may be
 
                                     FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL
                               IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING;
 
                                                            THAT YOU MAY
 
                                              WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD
                                                    FULLY PLEASING HIM,
                                      BEING FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK
                                                                       AND
                                    INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD;
 
Strengthened with all might, according to HIS glorious Power, unto all Patience and Long-
suffering with JOYFULNESS; Giving THANKS to the FATHER who has delivered us from
the  POWER of DARKNESS and Conveyed us into the KINGDOM of the SON of HIS LOVE,
in Whom we have Redemption through HIS Blood, the Forgiveness of Sins." Colossians 1:9-14
                                                                   
                                                           WHAT A PRAYER! 
Understand, building a career through hard work is very important, and God
surely does help us to accomplish such goals as we daily trust and fully 
depend upon Him, but,
                                    WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER,
 
                                   GOD'S GREATEST GOAL FOR US IS TO
 
                                                                  "GROW"
 
                                                  INTO SPIRITUAL MATURITY
                              AND BE VESSELS HE CAN USE FOR HIS GLORY.
 
Comments click here: djvb7777@aol.com 
 
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                             FELLOW BELIEVER'S
                      WHY WERE WE PURCHESED?  
   
The other day, visiting the Post Office with some letters to place in the mail box, I noticed that I failed to complete the address on one of the letters, and obviously, it NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION before putting it through the Mail Slot. So I pulled out my pen that was in the inside pocket of my coat, pulled off the top and began to write. Unfortunately, as I tried to write, nothing was happening on the envelope. I got some useless paper out of the waste basket and scribbled, trying to get the pen to write, but
                                                                     NOTHING HAPPENED                                                                                                                                                      
I shook the pen a dozen times, and did everything I could to get the ink to the tip, but with every attempt to get the pen to write,
                                                                  NOTHING HAPPENED.
Not having another Pen handy at that moment, and with the Post Office now closed, I was obviously very upset that I couldn't complete the task. The Pen was fairly new, and I BOUGHT it to write when I needed to record something, but, although I paid a fair price for the Pen,
 
                                               IT WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING IN
 
                                   THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS BOUGHT!
 
Has that ever happened to YOU? Kind of frustrating isn't it? Well, Christian Friend, it is very possible that such a situation can exist in the Spiritual Realm of life. The Word of God has this to say to every Believer. "DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO IS IN YOU, WHOM YOU HAVE FROM GOD, AND YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN? FOR YOU WERE "BOUGHT" WITH A "PRICE" THEREFORE GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY AND SPIRIT WHICH ARE GOD'S!"  I Corinthians 6:19-20
 
Fellow Believer's we are "BOUGHT ONES," yes, "BOUGHT" to function in the purpose for which we have been "BOUGHT" by the supreme price Jesus Christ paid when He shaed His precious "BLOOD" on Calvary's Cross.
 
Like the Pen that was "BOUGHT" that no longer functioned in the "PURPOSE" for which it was BOUGHT, could that be your present Spiritual State before the Lord. How greatly we "Displease" the Lord, when "we" fail to "function each day in the purpose for which He "bought" us! Friend, there is not a greater purpose in life than to Glorify God in body and spirit.  
                                                      REMEMBER,
                                           WE ARE "BOUGHT" ONES
                               WE NOW HAVE A "NEW OWNER" AND IT IS
           THE GOD OF ALL CREATION AND THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION
 
                                         JESUS CHRIST THE LORD
 
 "LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE THE WORKS OF GOD IN YOU, AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN!"   
                                                                                Matthew 5:16
 
                                   WHAT A HIGH AND HOLY CALLING! 
                                                                                                                                                              
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                THE TASK AHEAD OF US IS NEVER AS
               GREAT AS THE POWER BEHIND US!


                                  "HEARTS TOUCHED BY GOD"


The first king chosen to lead the people of Israel was King Saul. We know this

man had his up's and down's, and a sad final chapter in his life, but what is a king without loyal subjects. I'm sure you have read or seen films about the well-known Robin Hood. Whether legendary or a real figure in history, the exploits of this man were quite thrilling in his attempts to help the poor, and punish injustice. However, Robin Hood could never have accomplished this mission ALONE! O NO! He had a group of Dedicated, Fearless, and Loyal Men who followed and assisted him, who were known as the "MERRY MEN" of Robin Hood. Well, note with me what the scripture says about King Saul as found in First Samuel 10:26  "And Saul also went home to Gilbeah; and there went with him

      A BAND OF MEN WHOSE HEARTS WERE TOUCHED BY GOD."

                                                                                  

 

These men were truly
"MERRY MEN!" Men who were first of all dedicated and

loyal to God, and now ready to stand by the side of their earthly king and follow

his leadership. Saul could not have asked for more, nor better. How thankful I

have been over the years, concerning the ministries to which the Lord has called me, to have a faithful body of believer's sharing in the work with great dedication.

 

                             BELIEVERS! WE TOO, HAVE A KING!

"The LAMB will overcome them because He is LORD of lords, and KING of kings, and with Him will be his Called, Chosen, and Faithful Followers." Revelation 17:14 When Jesus Christ comes again to reign, "On His robe and on his thigh He has the name written: "KING" of kings, and "LORD" of lords." Revelation 19:16 In that day, "At the name of JESUS, every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that JESUS CHRIST is "LORD" to the glory of God the Father." Phiippians 2:10-11

 

Yes indeed, that day is coming, but today, this very moment, CHRIST, who is our KING, wants a body of FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS WHOSE HEARTS HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY GOD! A Band of Loyal, Sincere, Dedicated Believers who will be Faithful to His Word, and Work whatever the cost. Sharing the Good News of His love that led Him to Dark Calvary where He DIED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE, AND THEN ROSE AGAIN VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH. His Death was an INFINITE

payment that removes all our Guilt and Condemnation, and His Resurrection

gives to us the JOY of knowing with ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE because He lives, we too shall live Eternally with Him.


 SOLDIERS OF CHRIST ARISE AND PUT YOUR ARMOR
   ON, STRONG IN THE STRENGTH THAT GOD SUPPLIES
  THROUGH HIS ETERNAL SON.
   STRONG IN THE LORD OF HOSTS, AND IN HIS MIGHTY
     POWER, WHO IN THE STRENGTH OF JESUS TRUST, IS
 MORE THAN CONQUEROR.

 

HAS YOUR HEART BEEN TOUCHED BY GOD?

                                                                     
                           

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