Maximizing the Gifts

Many of us are like Timothy. Timothy was a timid boy but Paul told him that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. As Christians, it is important for us to operate in the spirit of God. What we do should line up with the word of God. People should be able to read you like scripture. Timothy had to stir of the gifts that God had placed inside of him. Likewise, we will have to do the same. In order to advance the Kingdom of God we must operate in the gifts of God.

You are the Gifted.

God has given us supernatural gifts and natural gifts. In order to advance the Kingdom we must first use the supernatural gifts of God. While natural gifts also help to advance the Kingdom  they are secondary. Unfortunately many churches operate solely in the natural gifts, in fact, may of the gifted care soley about the natural. We tend to take good care of what we can see, while neglecting what we can't see: the supernatural. Without the supernatural gifts we, the church, will be moving too fast and going nowhere. 

In order for God to lead your steps, you have to be walking in the spirit. You cannot live a double-life and operate in your supernatural gifts. However, you can be in sin and still operate in in your natural gifts. This is why the Kingdom of God cannot be advanced on natural gifts alone. We need to operate in the supernatural gifts of God. You, the gifted, need to operate in the supernatural gifts of God.

Scriptures:

2 Timothy 1:3-7

Spotlight Video

This month on our blog, we are featuring some talented, God-fearing, spoken word poets from P4CM (Passion 4 Christ Movement) who are not afraid to spread the gospel. We pray that these young individuals serve as encouragement to be bold in the Lord and the witness in new and creative ways. We encourage you to visit their website (www.P4CM.com) for more inspiration.

Who is Yusuf Naderkhani

Who is Yusuf Naderkhani?

He is a Christian.

He is 32 years old.

He is a Pastor.

He is a husband.

He is a father.

He is on death row.

 

Yusuf Naderkhani converted to Christianity from Islam at the age of 19 and is on death row because he is a Christian.  (Wash. Post, 9/29/2011, Lawyer for Iranian Pastor on Death Row Hopes Appeals Court May Acquit His Client)

 

So often the free church in America forgets that the persecuted church exists.  Saints, let us not forget to pray for the persecuted church.  These are our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering at the hands of those who do not know Jesus is the Christ.  

 

How difficult it is for the church of America to  imagine our pastors being thrown into jail or sentenced to death for preaching the Word of God.   Let us be watchful and prayerful that the same laws that govern other nations do not become the laws that govern the churches in America.  

 

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Col. 4:2 KJV)

 

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, 

but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thes. 5:6 (NKJV)

 

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13 (NKJV)

Inception

     If you’re anything like me, you’re a fan of all types of movies. From action flicks to chick flicks to sci-fi, I can enjoy almost any genre of movie. But recently I’ve been finding this very unpleasant trend among some of the most popular movies in Hollywood: Unanticipated and unnecessary violence, language, and sexual content. Usually these “scenes” are very inconsequential to the plot and add absolutely nothing to the quality of the movie. So why is Hollywood so adamant in adding these types of scenes to almost every “worth-seeing” movie? Would I be a conspiracy theorist to say that it is a conspiracy?

     In 2006, Hollywood sued Clearplay, a website that offered edited versions of DVDs without any violence, sex, nudity, or foul language, because the movies are copyrighted and altering them undermined it’s “creative genius." Now, the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) is suing Clearplay over their DVD player, which provides the same services as their edited DVDs, claiming that this technology “does not respect the finished film product" nor the director’s vision for the movie. Now let’s be real. How many people, or more specifically, how many Christians are actually investing in clean edited DVDs? Not many. Too many “Christians” prefer to see the sex and the violence and the cursing. So based on that info alone, it’s pretty evident that Clearplay and all other edited service out there weren't putting any real dents in Hollywood’s pockets. So why was Hollywood so determined to take out these small businesses? Well, maybe it’s because they (these small Christian businesses) offer your spirit man a choice and a chance.

     See, Hollywood knows how the flesh works. All they need to do is reel you in with a good plot and interesting twists. Then, at some random point in the movie, they throw in a trivial sexual content, and while you may feel unchanged and unaffected initially, they know they have you right where they want to. With every sex scene you watch and every profanity filled line you hear, you are feeding your flesh which is growing stronger as your spirit man is growing weaker. The more you watch these movies the less you get that unsettling feeling in your spirit. Here’s a thing about the devil: he doesn't hit you full throttle. What he usually does is he eases in slowly. So slowly, in fact, that you don’t even realize that he’s entering in until it’s too late, if  you realize it at all. You may think that because you aren't actually doing any of the things that are in these movies that it’s okay to watch them. You may feel like these images and sounds aren’t affecting you, but they are on a subconscious level. You must realize that most actions start with thoughts. Remember Satan is the prince of this world and all that comes out of the world -- the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life.  Am I saying you to should stop watching all movies unless they come from a Christian organization? No. I’m just admonishing you to guard your heart by filtering what you let into your mind. 

 

***

 

In the same way that Paul admonished Timothy:  Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. [2 Tim 1:14]

Have You Heard with Pastor Tony Heard

THAT "God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

 

STAY tuned for messages from the Pastor's Corner.  But, TODAY, however, I want to offer you the  awesome opportunity to receive the promise of John 3:16.  Today could be the best day of our Life!

 

IF you want to receive The Father's promise of salvation, so rich and free, provided for you through Christ Jesus, you can repeat this prayer, or say it in your own words --

 

"FATHER I come to you in the name of Jesus.  I recognize I am a sinner and I need you.  I believe Jesus is Lord and that you sent Him, your only begotten Son to die on the cross for my sins.  I believe he suffered, died and rose from the grave.  I repent and ask that you forgive me for all of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.  Come into my life and live in me.  Fill me with your Spirit and guide me and direct my life from this moment forward.  I thank you for your promise of salvation.  I receive your promise of salvation. I am a new creation in you. Amen!"

 

THE Bible says in Romans 10:9 that "If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

NOW find a bible believing and bible teaching church and watch God, through the power of his Holy Spirit

 

Transform Your Life!

"Remember"

When we find ourselves drifting off into the fog-filled waters of life, gripping the oars of anxiety as we steer through the murky waters of uncertainty to what awaits us at every twist and turn of the river’s bend, maybe it’s possible that we have forgotten something that is simple, yet powerful.  Maybe we have forgotten to “remember.”  Taking the time to “remember” is a powerful spiritual asset in our spiritual arsenal.  The Word of God admonished us over hundreds of times to remember – to recall events that have spiritual significance in our Christian journey.  I challenge you today to “remember” – think on – meditate on -- the marvelous things that God has already done for us.  With remembering comes hope, and with hope comes faith, and with faith comes strength and great reward. 

 

                          Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: 

                         Why are you talking about having no bread? Do 

                         you still not see or understand? Are your hearts 

                         hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and 

                         ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 

                         When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, 

                         how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” 

                         “Twelve,” they replied. Mark 8:17-19 (NIV) 

 

                          And remember that thou wast a servant … that the 

                         LORD thy God brought thee out …through a mighty 

                         hand and by a stretched out arm…

                          Deuteronomy 5:15 (KJV)

 

                          Thou shalt not be afraid … but shalt well remember  

                         what the LORD thy God did …Deuteronomy 7:18 (KJV)

 

                          Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, 

                         and hold fast, and repent…. Revelation 3:3 (KJV)

 

Today, let us take time to REMEMBER the healings, the deliverances, the renewed strength, the ways made out of no way  – all of the mighty works that God has already performed in our lives and know that He is willing and able to perform even more.