When we think of the most vital part of our Christianity many people will refer to the word FAITH. I believe thou that the most important part of Christianity is the HOLY SPIRIT. If a person does not have theHoly Spirit living in them they can not living a Christian life. Unfortunetly that is what we see in many people. Their belief is head knowledge and not guided by the Holy Spirit. If more Christians were filled by teh Holy Spirit we probably would not have the issues within the church or other so called Christians attacking other Christians. So how do you know if you have the Holy Spirit living in you? The scriptures make it very clear in many parts:
1) There is FRUIT. You are actually doing something for God and I do not mean going to church. You are witnessing. When was the last time you told someone about Jesus? I assure you if you have not told someone about Jesus or encouraged them to follow Jesus you do not have the Holy Spirit. Many people will say that, they are shy. Even if that is true, when you have the Holy Spirit you have boldness to speak and do the things for Christ. In all the parables of Jesus when referring to the believers He makes one thing evident. The TRUE BELIEVER reproduces. Here is a just a couple of the parables: The Sower, The Talents, The Sheep & Goats, The Wise Steward, The Vine and many others.
2) There is CONVICTION. When people think of what is right and wrong they may feel that they have a grasp of things. The fact is thou many people may be doing wrong and not know it. For example, unforgiveness is wrong with God but unforgiveness is permitted in the world. Hatred is not against the law but with God it is. So people may say, hey I am not doing anything wrong, meaning "I am not breaking the law" while in reality they are. The Holy Spirit brings convictions to a person because the Holy Spirit teaches a person of a eternal law. When you are convicted for doing something that maybe the laws of man don't find offensived but God does it is likely that it is the Holy Spirit.
In short we see a vital walk and importance to following Jesus and only can be done through the Holy Spirit.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Persecution of Christians is a Reality - WAKE UP!
BY CHARLES COLSON...
Allow me to make a very direct statement. I believe it is time for the Church in this country to stand up for religious freedom.
Especially over the course of the last few years, we have seen repeated efforts—in the courts, in state legislatures, in Congress, and on Pennsylvania Avenue—to erode what has been called the first freedom: religious liberty.
It isn’t hard to cite numerous cases where Christian organizations and individuals have been singled out and punished for adhering to their faith.
In New Jersey, a Methodist camp lost its tax exempt status for refusing to hold a same-sex civil union ceremony. In California, Christian doctors were successfully sued for refusing to offer in-vitro fertilization procedures for a lesbian couple. Catholic Charities in Boston had to shut down its adoption services because it was being forced by the state to place children with same-sex couples.
The current health care bill has no protections for religious medical personnel or health care providers who, by reason of conscience, refuse to participate in abortions. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is gathering momentum in Congress. The bill would require even Christian-owned enterprises with more than 15 employees to hire those who do not share their faith.
The list could go on and on.
So why is religious freedom such a concern to us as Christians? Freedom of religion is called the first freedom for a reason. Our founding fathers recognized that without freedom of conscience, no other freedom can be guaranteed.
Christians, in fact, are the greatest defenders of religious freedom and human liberty—not just for Christians, but for all people. Compare religious freedom in those countries with a Christian heritage to the state of religious freedom in Islamic nations, communist countries, and Buddhist and Hindu nations, and you will see my point.
The reason that Christians place such a high value on human freedom is that freedom itself is part of the creation account in the Bible. God made humans in His image. He gave us a free will to choose to love, follow, and obey Him, or to follow our own way.
That free will, given us before the Fall, is part of human nature itself.
Perhaps more than anything else, it was this understanding of individual freedom that turned me into the kind of patriot who would willingly give his life for his country. It was the words of the Declaration of Independence that inspired me to join the Marines: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
So this question of human freedom goes to the very heart of who we are as Christians and as Americans.
So this Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, a statement signed 125 evangelical, Orthodox, and Catholic leaders will be released—an historic declaration on life, the family, and religious freedom.
And please, today, go to http://www.colsoncenter.org/ to view my Two-Minute Warning video on religious freedom. We will have some great resources for you. Then Friday at noon, we will have for you the declaration itself—probably the most important document I’ve ever signed.
The Church needs to understand the urgency of the hour and do its duty.
Allow me to make a very direct statement. I believe it is time for the Church in this country to stand up for religious freedom.
Especially over the course of the last few years, we have seen repeated efforts—in the courts, in state legislatures, in Congress, and on Pennsylvania Avenue—to erode what has been called the first freedom: religious liberty.
It isn’t hard to cite numerous cases where Christian organizations and individuals have been singled out and punished for adhering to their faith.
In New Jersey, a Methodist camp lost its tax exempt status for refusing to hold a same-sex civil union ceremony. In California, Christian doctors were successfully sued for refusing to offer in-vitro fertilization procedures for a lesbian couple. Catholic Charities in Boston had to shut down its adoption services because it was being forced by the state to place children with same-sex couples.
The current health care bill has no protections for religious medical personnel or health care providers who, by reason of conscience, refuse to participate in abortions. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is gathering momentum in Congress. The bill would require even Christian-owned enterprises with more than 15 employees to hire those who do not share their faith.
The list could go on and on.
So why is religious freedom such a concern to us as Christians? Freedom of religion is called the first freedom for a reason. Our founding fathers recognized that without freedom of conscience, no other freedom can be guaranteed.
Christians, in fact, are the greatest defenders of religious freedom and human liberty—not just for Christians, but for all people. Compare religious freedom in those countries with a Christian heritage to the state of religious freedom in Islamic nations, communist countries, and Buddhist and Hindu nations, and you will see my point.
The reason that Christians place such a high value on human freedom is that freedom itself is part of the creation account in the Bible. God made humans in His image. He gave us a free will to choose to love, follow, and obey Him, or to follow our own way.
That free will, given us before the Fall, is part of human nature itself.
Perhaps more than anything else, it was this understanding of individual freedom that turned me into the kind of patriot who would willingly give his life for his country. It was the words of the Declaration of Independence that inspired me to join the Marines: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
So this question of human freedom goes to the very heart of who we are as Christians and as Americans.
So this Friday at the National Press Club in Washington, a statement signed 125 evangelical, Orthodox, and Catholic leaders will be released—an historic declaration on life, the family, and religious freedom.
And please, today, go to http://www.colsoncenter.org/ to view my Two-Minute Warning video on religious freedom. We will have some great resources for you. Then Friday at noon, we will have for you the declaration itself—probably the most important document I’ve ever signed.
The Church needs to understand the urgency of the hour and do its duty.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Feeding The Homeless
A few of our brothers and sisters from the Fellowship went down this Morning and fed the Homeless. It was a good day. No confrontation and no obstacle. The funny thing about this is there were abou 150 people and maybe 45 were homeless the rest were there foe worship. What a great work. We will continue praying for the churches in Phoenix.
-- Pastor Michael
Friday, November 13, 2009
Living On Purpose
How many of us truly live on purpose? Majority of the time we live our life doing things on accident. We don't know half the time how we got where we are at, all we know is we sre here. Living on purpose means that you make a CONSCIENCE effort and have a CONSCIENCE purpose in your life. For example it is the person who gets up inthe morning and says "I WILL....."
Now let us direct that to God and say today, "I WILL...tell someone about Jesus.....Pray.....Read the Bible.....Help.."
Live on purpose for God.
Now let us direct that to God and say today, "I WILL...tell someone about Jesus.....Pray.....Read the Bible.....Help.."
Live on purpose for God.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Neighborhood Preservation & Loving Your Neighbor
A couple of days ago I was speaking to a friend of mine who moved into our neighborhood about 2 years ago. I asked him how everything was going, since I had not spoken to him for awhile. He told me he had an exciting adventure. He ended up building a small shed on his property to hold his tools and various assundry and it turned out the one of the neighbors reported him for building the shed without a permit. When the city came out it turn out to be a few square feet too big. He was forced to renovate it. He was very upset. He was livid and could not understand how people could be so pety. He was very angry and stated that he was now going to go around and make sure that everyone is compliant. I advised him not to stoop to that level.
Is Neighborhood Preservation really supposed to be like that? Are we now ratting and snitching on every neighbor who we feel is not in complaint? The program which is to bring peace and conformity has and is only creating anomisity against neighbors. Neighbors who are supposed to be loving and friendly have now become enforcement agencies and rat ships. Telling on each other and ratting on each other. I know that this person will never look at his neighbors the same again. I could understand someone having a problem when their neighbor infringes on their property. What happened to talking to your neighbor first. His shed was not on anyones property. It was not infringing on anyone. People who are nosy are not a benefit to the neighborhood but rather a nusinance. The program which was to protect property rights of others is now creating anger and hatred among neighbors. It is so sad.
Resolution: Despite the fact that many Christians want to hit back, I would advise you not to stoop to that level of scum. I say scum with reservation. God calls them worse. As a matter of fact God calls those who cause discord among neighbors to be an ABOMINATION to HIM. I would hate to be them on the day of judgement unless of course if they repent. So just pray and watch what you do and remember what a person sows they will reap. They are only reaping contentions and strife. Vengence is mine says the Lord!
Is Neighborhood Preservation really supposed to be like that? Are we now ratting and snitching on every neighbor who we feel is not in complaint? The program which is to bring peace and conformity has and is only creating anomisity against neighbors. Neighbors who are supposed to be loving and friendly have now become enforcement agencies and rat ships. Telling on each other and ratting on each other. I know that this person will never look at his neighbors the same again. I could understand someone having a problem when their neighbor infringes on their property. What happened to talking to your neighbor first. His shed was not on anyones property. It was not infringing on anyone. People who are nosy are not a benefit to the neighborhood but rather a nusinance. The program which was to protect property rights of others is now creating anger and hatred among neighbors. It is so sad.
Resolution: Despite the fact that many Christians want to hit back, I would advise you not to stoop to that level of scum. I say scum with reservation. God calls them worse. As a matter of fact God calls those who cause discord among neighbors to be an ABOMINATION to HIM. I would hate to be them on the day of judgement unless of course if they repent. So just pray and watch what you do and remember what a person sows they will reap. They are only reaping contentions and strife. Vengence is mine says the Lord!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Feeding the Homeless is a crime...
On Novemebr 10th, 2009 the city of Phoenix and their anti-christian sentiments came up to the conclusion that if you are a church that you are not allowed to have ministries that cater to serving the poor. Yes, you heard it right. It is a crime and against city ordinance if you as a church feed the homeless.
I spoke to a few Pastors and ministers this week concerning this decision. They pretty much felt that the City can KISS THEIR GRITS. They felt that this decision is not only unconstituational but it is bias. The fact is folks I AGREE. We have all decided that if the city even thinks about enforcing such a rule like that, there will be a Class Action Lawsuit against them. So pass this on. If your church feels that it may be hindered now or in the future from doing the work of the Lord, as feeding the poor or homeless to let me know. We already have churches on board ready to take action. Victory outreach, Teen Challenge and the Dream Center are ministries dedicated to outreaches that reach out to the poor and needed. Church on the Street and Phoenix First are also ministries and churches dedicated in serving the poor and homeless. There is going to be a big fight that may end up bankrupting our city. It is so sad that all the councilmen and women we have none who call themselves Christian are able to fight. A cloud without water. Thunder without rain.
I spoke to a few Pastors and ministers this week concerning this decision. They pretty much felt that the City can KISS THEIR GRITS. They felt that this decision is not only unconstituational but it is bias. The fact is folks I AGREE. We have all decided that if the city even thinks about enforcing such a rule like that, there will be a Class Action Lawsuit against them. So pass this on. If your church feels that it may be hindered now or in the future from doing the work of the Lord, as feeding the poor or homeless to let me know. We already have churches on board ready to take action. Victory outreach, Teen Challenge and the Dream Center are ministries dedicated to outreaches that reach out to the poor and needed. Church on the Street and Phoenix First are also ministries and churches dedicated in serving the poor and homeless. There is going to be a big fight that may end up bankrupting our city. It is so sad that all the councilmen and women we have none who call themselves Christian are able to fight. A cloud without water. Thunder without rain.
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