September 2015

And They Overcame...

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11

What is it like to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and what can you expect to happen when you do?  As the overview of the book And They Overcame states, that path is as distinct and diverse as each one who traverses it.

Here is a great resource detailing testimonials of a few who have come to know Jesus Christ. These testimonials not olny speak to the continued veracity & relevance of the Scriptures, they affirm that Jesus Christ is still very much alive today!

I hope this book blesses you and strengthens your own testimony in the faith.

This book is comprised of 21 personal handwritten testimonies of how real people entered into salvation and how Jesus Christ became a reality in their lives. Each account is different and distinct because every person on earth is faced with a different set of circumstances and living situations. Even though all of these people are coming from different backgrounds, they all have one thing in common; Jesus Christ has brought salvation to their souls and is delivering them from the shackles of sin and death.

Drifting Away From My Core

Please take time to read this testimony from a Sister in the Lord.

I can attest to this struggle, having gone through it myself. In fact, I can say that I still encounter situations where I have to make this choice and the Lord uses those to show me other areas in my life where soul ties with these familiar spirits need to be broken.

Drifting Away From My Core

I will make an honest confession.  I care what people think about me.  Sometimes to my own detriment.  I encountered a  situation today that left me somewhat emotional.  While I attempted to fight back tears, I had to ask myself why I felt so hurt.  When I came to the realization of the origins of those feelings, I let the tears go and cried. I cried, not because of what the person said to me, but I cried due to the realization that I still greatly care about what people think of me and how they view me.  I was heartbroken that this person I have known and loved for years would utter comments towards me that were not in the affirmative because of a difference in opinion, and I was hurt.  My reaction caught me off guard. 

I'd done so well pretending not to care how I was perceived by certain groups or individuals and talked big talk like I was ready to let things run off my back like water.  I thought I had shaken the feelings of needing to be liked and accepted by others because of the personal stances I took on certain issues.  I thought I was as strong on the inside as my talk would lead one to believe, but the talk proved to be a smoke screen for something weak on the inside.


What I am talking about here is family.  I love my family.  I grew up with us being fairly close.  I felt the expectation was set early on that we all had to believe the same things and go about life in pretty much the same way, and never deviate too far from the close knit core.  Anyone that dared drift too far in a different direction was deemed an outcast and often gossiped about.  (I have actively participated in some of those gossip sessions).  I was an extension of that core and the core molded me into the woman I would become...

Click here to read the rest...


Additional Resources
Honor Your Father and Mother

Boldness

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1

I have been praying lately for more boldness. This is something which also the disciples asked for prayer.

"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word." Acts 4:29

"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:19-20

Variations of the world "bold" appear various times in the Scriptures, but do you know where it appears the most?  In the book of Acts.  At the birth of the church, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of Jesus Christ and changed them dramatically.  Where they had once been afraid, they were now bold.  I can think of few other words which so appropriately describe their preaching.

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled..." Acts 4:13

"...they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness" Acts 4:31

"...he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus." Acts 9:27

"And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus..." Acts 9:29

"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold..." Acts 13:46

"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord" Acts 14:3

"And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue..." Acts 18:26

"And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months..." Acts 19:8

They needed boldness, not only because they were facing persecution, but because the pressure against Christians to be quiet is supernatural.  The satanic powers in the heavenlies attempt to pervert the atmosphere globally so as to prevent the Gospel from being preached. There are spiritual powers at work to stop the mouths of Christians and prevent the testimony of Jesus Christ from being proclaimed, because Satan knows that once this happens, the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

This is why, whenever we preach Jesus, we are engaging in a spiritual war.  It is not just about handing out a tract, but we are by virtue of our testimony engaging in a warfare.  It is not something to be taken lightly.  If we do not understand this, then we will clam up instead of standing for Christ.

"But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." I Thessalonians 2:2-4

bold: Greek word parrēsiazomai meaning to speak freely, with confidence and without concealment; to show assurance.

contention: Greek word agōn meaning the place of contest, the arena or stadium; any struggle, conflict, fight, or battle.

The disciples preached the Gospel with much contention. They were not being contentious with people, but they were wrestling in combat with the rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. They were fighting against those supernatural forces aiming to shut them up. They were fighting against the demonic strongholds which held captive the minds of the people. They were fighting the good fight of faith.  They were fighting...and we must do the same.

One area where the Lord has dealt with me about this recently was in phrasing what "I believe".  A situation occurred where I had to address an unbelieving, elder family member regarding matters of faith.  I thought about what I should say and how I could be respectful.  "Well, you see, what we believe is..."  God stopped me cold in my tracks.

He was quick to bring to my mind that the Gospel is not merely about what "I believe".  Lots of people have beliefs; they are as numerous and often as [in]valuable as opinions. If I am entreating someone about the Gospel on the basis that it is what "I believe", then I might as well be talking to them about joining Islam, becoming a Buddhist, or being an atheist.  Either what I believe has the weight of truth or it does not; and if so, then that is the only basis upon which others should believe it as well. By presenting the Gospel as merely something I believe, I was downgrading and misrepresenting it, and would only wind up at most making converts to my way of thinking and not disciples of Christ (Matthew 23:15).

The Lord had me reflect upon where in Scripture I had ever heard someone speak in this manner, and I could think of not one instance.  While the disciples would compell others to believe, they never prefaced their preaching with "Well, my understanding is...the way I see it...what I believe..."  They spoke the truth, and they proclaimed it with authority and certainty.  They were bold.

The world would have you think that all beliefs are equal and have similar merit.  It would make you feel that you have to respect the beliefs of others by giving ear to false views or pretending that those views hold some scintilla of truth.  This is a lie of the devil.  People are free to believe what they like, but that doesn't make those beliefs true.  When we share the Gospel, we are not just sharing what "we believe".  We are sharing the only truth which can set them free!

The only way we can speak boldly, not as pleasing men (I Thessalonians 2:2-4), is to not be focused on ourselves and our lives in this world.  I don't want to mentally ascend to being bold.  I don't want to imagine how I will be the one who speaks up in the face of adversity.  If I have not crucified the flesh, then I am deluding myself.  I am praying for more boldness, and I pray it for my brothers and sisters as well.

Speak the truth...and speak the truth with boldness!

Man Up Mountain Meeting

All men are invited to attend the Man Up Mountain retreat for a time of fellowship and preparation for the days to come in the mountains of Helen, GA.  The Lord is looking for a few good men to lead the battle for souls in these last days.  Could you be one of them? Come young and old to get recharged and focused for the Lord.

When: October 2nd- 4th, 2015

Where: Tanglewood Cabins Lodge & Conference Center
3387 Highway 356, Sautee, Georgia 30571

More info can be found on the following Facebook page:  Man Up Meeting

The ManUp Mountain Meeting is a retreat away from all of the madness without distractions like cell phones and computers in order to zero in on the real problems plaguing the church.

The only power in the universe to impact and transform the mind is Holy Ghost power projected through men of God that are committed to prayer and fasting to break the chains that bind the masses.

Accommodations will be reserved based on the response, so it is imperative that when you commit to attending the meeting you immediately send your $100 deposit Omega Ministries, noting that it is for the ManUp Meeting.

We need more manpower to overcome the devil's power...it's time to MANUP!!

Come Fellowship at a Teaching Ministry

As our family returned from church this week, my father asked, "What do you all do there all this time?"  I offered for him to come with us and see for himself, but he declined.

I then said, we sing praise and worship for a while, we pray and there is teaching.  "What kind of teaching?", he asked.  I told him teaching out of God's word.

The purpose of church has been largely lost in terms of spending time studying and meditating on God's word versus being entertained.  Yet, there is a ministry whose focus is on building up disciples for the Body of Christ, and I invite you to come out and join us if you are able.

What:  Dunamis Tabernacle

Location: Atlanta Renaissance Hotel
1 Hartsfield Center Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30354

When:  Every Sunday, 10:00 am EST

Alternately, you can tune in via Livestream at the following link:  http://livestream.com/accounts/2720052

I hope to see you there!

The Normal Christian Birth

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:3-7

The following sermon is from Min. David Pawson as he explains what it means to be born again.

Many do not understand what it means to be born again and therefore are unprepared to live the Christian life.  They have not been born again, but have simply undertaken religious rituals without understanding what they mean or what they require in order to walk them out.

I believe that this series will be a tremendous blessing for many.  Please take some quiet time to listen and study regarding what has been said; it is worth it.  May God give us ears to hear His word.

What is the New Birth?

• The new birth is not instantaneous, but is a process.
• How you begin your spiritual life impacts how you live your spiritual life
• Many are leading others to Christ with religious euphemisms instead of biblical truths
• The Bible indicates four steps necessary to be born again:
• Repent
• Believe
• Be Baptized in Water
• Receive the Holy Spirit
• All four steps are acts of men (constituting conversion), but they are also acts of God (constituting regeneration).  At every stage, man is doing something and God is doing something; it is a beautiful cooperation.
• These four steps are also referenced in Hebrews 6:1-3 as principles of the doctrine of Christ.
• Being born again and being converted are not the same thing.  Conversion is a human act of turning ourselves around or making a u-turn, and it happens as we go through the four steps of being born again.  
• There is a movement in terms of responsibility for being born again, which is more man-focused for the first two steps and God-focused for the last two.  As you are born again, there is less & less of you and more & more of God.
• We should be far more concerned with getting Christians alive, and not just born again.  Being born again is just the beginning of life.
• The essence of the new birth is the ending of your old life and the beginning of your new life.

Repentance

• God shouldn't have to tell Christians to repent; the Church should be telling the world to repent instead.
• Repentance is not regret or remorse
• Regret - Being sorry for what you have done to yourself.
• Remorse - Being sorry for what you have done to others.
• Repentance - Being sorry for what you have done to God
• You cannot repent for sin in general.  You must repent for specific sins.  When true repentance occurs, it happens on 3 levels:
• Thought - Changing your mind about particular things and think God's way about them
• Words - Confess (enumerate specific sins) & renounce (say before God that you are finished with it and will not go back) your sins
• Deeds - There must be fruit worthy of repentance.
• We need to repent for the good and bad things we have done.
• Many Christians would rather have "inner healing" rather than forgiveness, because forgiveness demands repentance. We are not the result of what has been done to us. We are the result of what we have done about what has been done to us.  It is the choices of reaction we have made which makes us who we are.
• Repentance in the new birth is analogous to cutting off and tying the umbilical cord in the physical birth.  It is cutting off that which ties you to Satan's kingdom and tying it off so that you are free from its contamination.  It is no longer the source of your life.
• To help someone repent, you must help them do three things:
• Be Serious - The fear of the Lord must be present, by understanding that apart from the Lord, they will perish.
• Be Specific - Confess and name specific sins
• Be Sensible - Don't let feelings get out of order.  Psychological guilt is not moral guilt, and it is only moral guilt that Jesus cures.  

Believe

• There is a difference between believing "that" someone exists versus believing "in" someone.
• You cannot know that a person believes "in" you until they have done something that shows they trust you and taken a risk that they will let you down.
• Faith is historical, based upon facts and not feelings.  Jesus died, He was buried, and He was raised from the dead. Even Satan has this type of faith.
• Faith in "faith" is not enough.  It doesn't matter if you believe in some thing, but you must believe in the right thing.
• Faith is personal.  It is trusting in a person and obeying that person.
• Faith is verbal.  We must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth.  We can talk to and about Jesus.
• Faith is practical.  It is not just hat you think and say, it is what you do.  The only faith the New Testament recognizes is faith that acts.  It is not just accepting the truth of God's word.
• Faith is continual.  It is not those who start in faith who are saved, but those who finish in faith. It is not a moment of faith, but a lifetime of faith which saves.  The word for faith is the same as faithfulness.
• As you go on trusting the Lord, you will go on being saved.

Be Baptized in Water

• In the Old Testament, the priests were consecrated by being washed in water and anointed with oil.  In the New Testament, all saints are priests, so we are also to be washed in water and are anointed by the Holy Spirit (who is represented by oil).
• There is also the possibility that a gentile who wanted to become part of Israel was circumcised and baptized.
• John baptized people into repentance.  The people had to already be in repentance before they were baptized.
• The baptism in water was bring to a completion the repentance which was already being wrought in the individual.
• Jesus and a number of His disciples did not baptize because the focus is not to be on the baptizer, but the act.
• There was no such thing in the early Church as an unbaptized believer.
• To baptize means to dunk, plunge, immerse, or soak.  You cannot sprinkle water on a person to baptize.
• Baptism has a double meaning.  It is a bath, but it is also a burial; a bath for those who are dirty and a burial for those who are dead.
• Baptism is not a symbol, but an event.
• Baptism by water is how a person is born again out of water (John 3:5).
• Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.
• Baptism saves you by appealing to God for a good conscience (I Peter 3:21).
• Once you have been buried with Christ in baptism, sin has no more dominion over you (Romans 6). You are effectively delivered from the territory of Satan.
• It is not enough to say Jesus was crucified for me, but we must be crucified with Him.  It is not enough to say that Jesus was buried for me, but we must be buried with Him.  It is not enough to say that Jesus was resurrected for me, but we must be resurrected with Him.
• Infant baptism is not consistent with biblical instruction.
• Baptism does not by itself save a person, which is a concept called baptismal regeneration.

Receive the Holy Spirit

• There is a difference between Greek and Hebrew thinking because the Greek could not relate the physical and the spiritual.  This is why many in the West cannot tie the physical act of baptism can have a spiritual effect.
• In all but two instances, the Holy Spirit is imparted by the laying on of hands.  
• Every Christian needs two baptisms.
• Water baptism deals with burying the past, leaving you clean and empty.  Jesus said that staying in this state is dangerous (Matthew 12:43-45).
• Receiving the Holy Spirit is not the same thing a believing.
• There is no instance in Scripture of someone receiving the Holy Spirit and not knowing it.
• Receiving the Holy Spirit is the evidence and seal of your acceptance by God.
• The reception of the Spirit is always accompanied with outward evidence.
• When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, there will be an overflow of spontaneous spiritual speech. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).

Saved at Last

• People sought the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to receive Him.
• Sometimes people don't receive the Holy Spirit because they have not fully repented, they may not have acted in faith towards the Lord, they may not have been baptized.
• The teaching that the supernatural gifts are not for today is false.
• The Holy Spirit releases inhibited emotions.
• Many evangelicals know the Holy Scriptures better than they know the Holy Spirit.
• Many people are being told they have been born again, when they have not.
• There are different views in the Church on what it means to be saved:
• Safe from Hell - This is the most common understanding, but it does not come from the New Testament.  Such persons perceive salvation as fire insurance from Hell.  
• Salvaged from Sin - Jesus came to not only pay for penalty of sin, but to take away sin.  Jesus did not come to save us from Hell; He came to save us from our sins.
• Saved to Sanctity - We are saved to life a holy life.  
• Saved for Service - We are saved to live a life which can be used by God to reflect Him to and in the world.
• There is no one who is "saved"; we are all being saved.  Salvation is a process.
• The real Gospel is concerned with getting people across a line; from non-believer to believer; from not saved to saved, etc.  It is the difference merely seeking converts vs seeking disciples (as Jesus called us to do).

• The Safe Gospel Seeking Decisions for Christ	The Salvaged Gospel Seeking Disciples for Christ
  Content with Justification	Justification is the means to Sanctification
  Jesus is Savior	Jesus is Savior & Lord
  All you have to do is believe	You must be born again
  Only interested in the minimum needed to escape Hell	Wants everything God can give them too live right

  
  
• You must decide what type of Gospel you want.  The Gospel of man which proposes to save you from Hell or the Gospel of Jesus Christ which saves you from your sins?
• God only justifies us so that He can sanctify us, so that we may be holy.
• In every instance of the Lord keeping us in Scripture, there is a complementary verse for us to keep ourselves.