A thorough study of the bible, as well as church history, will prove that
fervent intercessory prayer preceded every notable spiritual awakening
throughout history. The reason for this is really very simple; that which
is truly born of God must be an act of faith, birthed by the Spirit.
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Thank you people of China…
By Larry Schoonover, Puyallup, WA
Being exposed to the phenomenal work being done in China with the biblical concept of, “House Church” made a great impact on me. Upon my return home, I researched a group that began in China around 1980 called “Three Self Patriot Movement”. This was an effort to found Christian house churches after the Cultural Revolution. Today the leaders and authorities of this massive body of believers (80 million house churches) are answerable directly to the Communist Party. This in time has spawned many underground house churches who are hungry for the pure word, as well as genuine apostolic ministry. There greatest need at this time is for teachers. These people already congregate in homes by the thousands. I was reminded of the account in Acts 2 & 3 where Peter and John went daily to the Temple for prayer and went house to house to minister the word, break bread together in fellowship and in prayers.
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The Balancing Act Between Tough And Tender
By Pastor Jeff Arnold, Gainesville, FL
Our Lord Jesus spoke about the parable of the fig tree, showing that when the tree put forth its TENDER BRANCHES you can tell that summer was very near, using the illustration from nature to show how we could tell about HIS COMING. I am lifting the example from the setting to speak about TENDER BRANCHES.
Having a TENDERNESS in us is the first stage for the next level of GROWTH. Growth only occurs when the branches are YET TENDER, what a challenge to all of us. Maybe the progress and growth many of us are desiring has not come, due to the fact that TENDERNESS is not working in us, so that the next STAGE can happen. There is a time when the branches must be TOUCH AND HARD; that time is WINTER. The branches HARDEN to brace themselves against the HARD, COLD SEASON called WINTER. Hardships of winter include the terrible cold, fierce winds, and various animals foraging for food.
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Staying The Course
By Tony Bailey – Griffin, Georgia
An excerpt from “The Nautical Hour”
Ships have rudders! And there is a very good reason why ships have rudders attached because, as with life, any number of things can happen to knock a sea-faring vessel off course.
When a ship embarks from port, the navigator and/or captain have a definite and predetermined destination in mind. The vessel is set upon a heading that will ultimately bring it safely to harbor in the desired seaport, but from port to port, corrections will be made in the heading so the ship can stay the course. Corrections are not made because of some miscalculation, but rather because winds, tides, currents or some obstacle has forced the ship off course.
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Being A Lost Soul Is Not A Laughing Matter
By Pastor Jeff Arnold, Gainesville, FL
The Lord Jesus seemingly went to great lengths to challenge the hearers of that day to do EVERYTHING possible NOT TO FIND THEMSELVES LOST FOREVER. In our present day, many folks attending church seem to act and think that being LOST is not REALITY and that GOD IS JUST TOO GOOD to allow such a thing to happen. I warn all of you; God will not forsake HIS PROMISE OF FAIR JUDGMENT over HIS OWN KINDNESS. It is very evident that God wants all to be SAVED, but He is not going to CHANGE THE RULES for a generation that thinks it can LIVE LOOSE OR UNGODLY and still be READY FOR HIS COMING.
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How many times have we comforted or been comforted by this rather sarcastic phrase? When words are sent like arrows, and unguarded hearts are thrust through with the pain, we take some comfort in the counter attack of, “what else would you expect from them? Just consider the source!” Recently, I was on the receiving end of such an arrow. Someone close to me said the words, “Well, consider the source” and the Lord stopped me right there and the word ‘consider’ jumped out.
Yes, I will consider! In fact, in the light of much mercy, sarcasm melts with the heat of God’s love. If I am to really ‘consider’ the person that threw the hurtful remarks, I must ponder, think, and take some time. Consideration even tends to courtesy and compassion for the sharp-tongued offender! How much do they hurt? What level of frustration plagues their day? Have they cried their deep tears lately?
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Effectively communicating vision is one of the most important functions of leadership. Just making a vision believable, however, is not enough—it must be understood as necessary. When a vision is truly God given, there are several key components that come with it.
1. It will create a strong sense of urgency and purpose. Urgency is the true igniter behind purpose, and all progressive planning and action. Urgency motivates people to be willing to make changes, moving out of their comfort zone.
2. It will be bigger than your present ability and resources. Just ask the twelve apostles when Jesus told them to feed five thousand men, plus women and children, with two small fish and five loaves of bread. (Matthew 14:16)
The Valley Of Vision
by Linda Schreckenberg
“And the word of the Lord was published
throughout all the region”
It was through the medium of writing the Apostle Paul reached a continent in two years. The North American continent can be reached by the same method if we will embrace the vision of the power of the pen. When the Lord began to unfold his vision of writing his Word in local newspapers, the possibility of reaching multitudes in months was so vast, it was overwhelming to my normal reasoning capabilities. He had taught the multitudes by the sea long before he filled the Upper Room with the Holy Ghost experience. He had taught the people how to live, how to forgive, how to treat their enemies, and how to love the Lord God with all their heart long before the Holy Ghost fell.
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