There is only ONE GOD!!

     In a time of Christian theology we believe that there is only 1 TRUE GOD and that is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He was the one who came in human Flesh as the Son of God.  Was crucified, buried and rose from the dead.  This is the God we serve.  Many people will say, " Hey I believe that too."  My answer is good. 
     Unfortunetly many Christians even thou believing this, may act and live their life in a different way.  While many believe that there is only 1 God they also believe there is one who is just as equal to our God.  The one that they believe in is "Satan."  It is sad to see people live their lives in such a fear and turmoil.  To believe that there is a God of Good and a God of Evil is pure blasphemy.   
     As many of you know we believe that spirits good or evil, how ever you may interpet them, is only subject to the power and authority of God.  God is God of all in heaven and earth.  I believe the greatest evil is not in demons but in MAN.  Man is Satan.  Man has always been the blocker of God's will.  Of course you can never block His will but I am sure you understand.  You see that is why James says even the demons believe and TREMBLE.  Man is wicked in heart and does not tremble.  That is why God ultimately if not repented will allow man to bring destruction to themselves.
     I guess now we can truly understand what Paul says when he says, "If God be for us who can be against us!!!!"

Praise you Jesus!!!

The Woman At The Well...

John Chapter 5 tells us of a woman who meets Jesus at the well.  This woman is struggling in life.  She has been married over 5 times and her current live in mate is not her husband.  She is living in Adultery and on top of that Fornication.  Jesus approaches her and lets her know that He knows everything about her.  The greatest conversation occurs which I encourage everyone to read, but at the end the woman finds herself seeing her faults and repenting of her sins.  She realizes within scripture that her lifestyle has been destroying her due to her lack of the Christ living in her life.

     Can we learn from this woman?  The answer is Yes.  People who live their live without the principles and laws of God will only find themselves destroyed.  It is not until we meet Christ at the Well and realize that without Him we will never be satisfied or quenched, only then shall we find a life worthy of living. 

     I pray that those who see the truth and turn to God will know that He is there to receive them and forgive them of their sins.  Repent and know that there is only One God and Father of All.  Give your heart ot Him and you will find that he will quench your thirst. 

In Christ.

Pastor Michael Salman
"Servant of the Most High God."
 

The Prayers Of the Righteous are Effective

James 5:16-18  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a man just like us.  He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and 1/2 years.  Again he prayed , and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crop.

The LORD is far from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous.  PROVERBS 15:29


     What a great prelude when it comes to prayer.  Prior to the declaration that the prayer of the righteous are effectial the Word of God tells us how to become righteous.  Confess your sins!!!  Wow!  You see that is the problem between the righteous and the unrighteous.  Confession of sins.  While the wicked continue in their wickedness and their folly against God, their prayers do not even reach their cieling.  That is why their life is falling apart.  Marriages are breaking, family is broken up, loneliness sets in and you are left there alone with no friends or family and no purpose in life.  This wicked person then only becomes more angry and refuses to repent and confess their sins.  So their prayers unfortunetly are never answered. 
     The Word of God says, repent of your sins and you shall be heard.  When you repent and confess, your sins are relieved and you are made righteous and your prayers reach the throne room of God.  The ears of God.

It is easier...

Can a rich man enter the Kingdom of Heaven?  the bible says that it is easier for a camel to enter through an eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  I guess the first thing we must define is the Kingdom of Heaven.  The kingdom is not only refered to as the cellestial state but also the terestial state.  The Kingdom of God is not only in the after life but also the present life.  The next word we need to define is rich.  This rich is not only in financial wealth but also spiritual wealth.  Now when we take this all together we read it as: 

It is easier for a camel to enter through an eye of a needle than someone who is wealthy in finances, emotional, spiritual and such.

WHY?

Because in order for someone to come to Christ he must lose himself, humble himself and give up some of the pleasures of life.  A person who is too rich and prideful will not do that.  That is why it is easier for a camel to enter through an eye of a needle.

Madonna, Britanty Spears, Mr. T, Mase, Gary Buisy, and other who have tried to confess Christ have all failed because they have refused to give up themselves for God.

A person who doe snot know how to place God first and worry about what God thinks rather than what others think will never find God.  People are too busy trying to please other people rather than trying to please God and do what is right.

We need to seek the Kigdom of God first and then all the wealth both spiritual and fiancial will follow us.

 

The Truth...You can't handle the truth!!

Do you remember that line spoken by Jack Nicholson, "The Truth...You can't handle the truth!!"  A line to be remembered throughout all ages.  The fact is what he said was absolutely right.  People can not handle the truth.  People get upset when the truth is spoken. 
     This past week I was questioned on my worship of God by the prosecutor.  The question he asked me was a question that could be placed in the Left Behind Books.  He asked me whether or not I and my family were going to continue to worship on Sunday on our property with my family and friends even thou the City prohibits us to do so.  I have given my word that I would tell the truth so I had no choice but to tell them the truth.  THE TRUTH is Yes.  As long as I have a neck on this body I will worship the Lord every Sunday with whomever God places in my life.  The city did not like that.  Of course they will say to me that I have the right to worship but it can not be wherever I want and whomever I want.  It must be in their controlled enviroment with their approval.  Sounds funny folks but it is the truth to them.  It is a truth that we can handle despite persecution from them and them breaking the law.  Despite the fact that they are breaking the law by prohibiting me and others to come to our property for worship we have no choice but to allow the lot to fall where it may.  I will die for my faith.  So if I will die for my faith I will begin by living for my faith. 
     In the courtroom I began to think about all the prophets, apostles and even our Lord being in the same place as I am.  Falsely accussed of things that I do not condone and am against.  They said I was an agressor, a troublemaker, a neighbor hater and even called our worship on Sunday as a nusinace to the community and the neighborhood.  As I was listening to all that, I was such at peace because I was counted worthy of persecution for our Lord.  I have been nothing but nice and kind to my neighbors.  I have been considerate and always tried to keep the line of communication open despite our differences.  Even thou there has been disagreements I have never taken it personally.  I mean who are they fighting with anyway.  They are fighting with God.  The only thing me and family have done is go and hide behind our Fathers back and let him fight our battles.  God is not blind and He is the only one we need to follow.  There are times I wish I would have not said things like calling my neighbor JERK for flipping me off but it was already done.  I have learned just to walk away and not even handle this type of insults. 
     As a Pastor and a human it is very hard to hold myself to a higher standard especially when people are accussing you of false things, yet I die daily for God.  I must subject my body and my emotions and bring all things into subjection.  It is so much easier when you have the support of other brothers and sisters in Christ and the power and Guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Act 5:41-42


(41) And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

(42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

 
Thank you Jesus.        

The Progress

The Bible says, "How sweet it is when brethren dwell together, it is like the oil that falls from the beard of Aaron."  I gues know one could understand that unless they really dwell with Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  This past weekend I was reminded of the beauty of brothers and sisters who got your back.  As some of you know the city with the help of some of the neighbors have been trying to stop me and my family and friends from worshipping on my property.  Yes, I live in America.  LOL.  In 2007 we were going to change our name from Harvest Christian Fellowship to Harvest Christian Fellowship Community Church due to our neighbor stealing our name.  Since there was no need to do that because our 501 c 3 still recognized our name as HCF we abondaned HCFCC INC.  Now fast forward 2 1/2 years and you have a complaint drawn by the city against HCFCC INC.  I have never been a person to run away from persecution, so for 2 months we tried our best to convince the city that the activity on the proeprty is not of HCFCC INC but rather my family or even that of HCF INC.  They did not care but rather wanted to pursue HCFCC INC. instead.  Now fast forward 7 months and we have a judgement against HCFCC INC. for over $200,000  Oh I forgot to mention, HCFCC INC.  was dissolved in April of 2009 by Suzanne and me and dissolved by the Arizona Coproration Commission in July 1st, 2009.  In other words it is dead and has been dead.
     This weekend we met with brothers and sisters for prayer and worship and the brothers and sisters in Christ just like it was clock work started to say things that would make any Pastor have joy in his heart.  They all agreed that if the city try's to stop us from worshipping that they were all going to be in this fight.  We were reminded that this was not about me but about 40 other people that have just the same right to worship on my property as I do.  The city was not only comming against me but them also.  Praise God.
     I can only pray that God gives our leaders wisdom and they try to find a better way of spending our tax payer money rather than pursuing Christians and Churches from worshipping.  Meanwhile we will continue to pray for them and their wisdom in leading our city.  God be with us.   

Go to Church?

     Yesterday I was speaking with a believer and during the conversation I asked what the person did on Sunday. They answered nothing really. I then asked if they went to church and they said No instead they stayed home and watched Joel Osteen and then proceeded to say that all the churches in their area was too liberal. Of course I chuckled because Joel Osteen's middle name is Liberal.
Can a person believe in Christ and not go to church? The church of Christ is called the body. The body is identified as a group of believers lead by Pastors and deacons. To me that sounds like a local fellowship or congregation. So I guess the answer is how can you say that Christ is the head if you are not part of His body? You can not be a true obedient believer in Christ if you are not part of a local body of believers called the church. There may be a lot of good teachers on TV and the radio but they can never replace the actual physical supplements found in a local body. Watching TV to get your spirtual food is like watching the food network and saying you are full.
Let TV and radio create an appettite for the real thing and then act on it by being part of what God wants you to be in.


Pastor Michael Salman

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

The Disaster Factor

     This past month has been very crazy and busy to say the least.  What is in effect is called the disaster factor.  This world is experiencing a disaster like they probably never saw in their life.  Haiti with over 200,000 dead some reporting.  Many are experiencing this first hand.  This week we also received news that a friends mom and other friends of our friends are diagnosed with cancer. 
     The bible says, it rains on the just and the unjust.  When diasaster hits how do we handle it?  What are we to think?  The very first step in wondering whether a tragedy or disaster is a message?  A person should look into their life.  For example, Haiti was devestated by an earthquake.  This country was engulfed in witchcraft and sorcery.  The question would have to be, was this tragedy a message from God to the world?  Indonesia, Lousiana, and Haiti what do they all have in common?  Sorcery, witchcraft and rebellion.  Message from God?  Maybe?  We really do not know, all we can do is preach the message and help them recover and this time founded by faith.  Even during times when God brings destruction upon a nation, state, or people we as Christians need to help.  "If your enemy is thirsty give them something to drink."
     What about other people with Cancer?  Like the word says it rains on the just and the unjust.  I am sure that there were Born Again Christians that also died in Haiti.  I am sure churches were demolished.  It rains on the just and the unjust.  In these cases we just need to seek God and move forward and stand the test of time.  It is just part of life.
     In conclusion, a person must ask themselves when disaster strikes, "Did I do anything wrong?  Is God trying to tell me something?"  In doing this we need to listen and change.  With all this remember this, if something happens to you because someone hurts you or is against you God this is not a disaster factor in these cases God will turn it back to them 100 fold.  So be strong and just always calculate the Disaster Factor when it occurs.
     May god protect and keep those whoa re truly His from times of disaster and may he comfort the loss of those who call on His name.  Thank you Jesus for your Love.     

State Day Of Prayer

January 17th, 2010 our Governor Jan Brewer by the request of 40 clergymen declared that January 17th be a State Day of Prayer.  She is calling all believers to pray for our budgets and to ask God to help us through these times.  So on January 17th, 2010 please pray for our State and while you are at it please pray for our Nation and especially the city in which you live in.  In Jesus name.

Lord Jesus, you are the Creator of Heaven and Earth.  You the Lord God almighty and there is none like you.  We pray this day for our State that you will lead our leaders to wisdom in handling and dealing with our budget.  Lord we know that you can and will provide for each and everyone of us who call on your name.  Be with our State, our cities and our Nation during this time of struggle.  Let us not compromise our values for the sake of money and let us learn that you are God and that there is blessings in obedience to you.  In Jesus name.

RESULTS ARE IN...

     A New Year can either bring great joy or it can bring great trouble.  People are faced wtih obstacles in every arena.  No matter what we know this:  If you are a Christian even your troubles are turned into victory.  We would never have known David without the Giant.  It took the Giant to bring out the best of David.  Even great generals are known only by the wars they fight.  Ultimately we know that we know that our Lord Jesus Christ is on our side and the sons and daughters of the devil will be placed under HIS feet.  So we move on and look to the Lord for strength and refuge because if GOD is for us NO ONE can be against us.  Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy and your peace.

Pastor Michael Salman

Happy New Year

     I want to first of all wish everyone a Happy New Year.  This year was an awesome year and God had done so much in our lives.  Even thou there were speed bumps and so forth God has brought us through and is continuing to bless us and the fellowship.  One of the highlights of the year just recently occurred children from the fellowship sacrificed a toy that they received as a present and had decided to give it to a family who does not have.  The others in the Fellowship had donated money and had given it to an Orphanage/Childrens Shelter.  This had been very touching because it brings us to realize how much we have and the blessings God has given to us.  I am so proud of many of our family and friends who have stepped up to the plate to do the work of God.  This year our the fellowship had organized a group to feed the homeless, the poor and needy.  They had donated clothes and other items to the shelters.  They had given to the orphanages and shelters.  They continue to preach and teach in the jails.  They hold up signs and witness on the corners.  The fight with their brothers and sisters in Christ through persecution.  They had given to Voice of the Martyrs and other organizations.  I can only pray that this Year we will do even more.  Happy New year and from all of us here we wish you many blessings in each and everyone of your lives.  In Jesus Name and for HIS glory. 
   

The New Year

     We are about to enter the new year.  Are you ready to make this Year truly the year of the Lord?  So many times we have stated that this is the year of God.  We say it as if this unlike any other year, this will be different.  We come up with jingles and ryhmes to give it some uff.  Like 2007 is the year of heaven.  2008 in the Lord we celebrate and etc.  You get my drift.  So now we enter 2010 and we start this year just like any other year, placing on our checks 2009 because we forgot it is 2010.  LOL.  But really just like every year we should come up with and think of ways to improve ourselves especially our walk with Jesus Christ.  How can we draw closer and know Him more.  When you are thinking about that please remember one thing:  It is not a sprint but a Marathon.  2010 is 12 months long.  The best cooked meat is one that has been roasting and or broiling for a long time.  Allow God to make you tender for Him.  God bless you and Happy New Year.


 

Death Of Oral Roberts

Oral Roberts died today at the age of 91.  He was best known as the crying preacher who stated that god was going to kill him if he did not raise millions of dollars by a certain time.  I find it very funny and yet sad that when people think about Oral Roberts this is what they mention.  They don't mention the fact that he began a Bible University or Television Program or that through him God healed many.  All the good people do and the only thing humans remember is the bad and ugly. 
     That is why we are thankful that God in his love and mercy does nto see us like others do.  He sees the good and the love in us.  It is this that God sees and remembers in us.  I can only pray that when we die that all our faults and mishaps are placed aside and that people remember the good that we have done.  May our Legacy be that of blessings and fortune to humanity through Christ.

THIS IS THE SEASON - WATCH

     This season many people are getting sick.  They start getting sick not only physically but spiritually and mentally.  The sales, the emotions, the lonliness, the financial stress and struggles, these all become very difficult and people become very stressed.  Eventually everything going on creates a void and loss of the meaning of the season.  I never was a person who enjoyed all thehustle and busle of the Christmas season due to 2 things.  1)  Physical illness with many & 2)  the commercial aspect of the season. 
      This year I can only pray that people remember 2 things.  1)  Without CHRIST you can not have CHRISTmas.  & 2)  JESUS is the reason for the season.

Have a Merry CHRISTmas.


     

Today I viewed a video located below about Richard Dawkins calling Ray Comfort a serious and radical evangelist an idot because he refutes Darwinism.  At first it made me angry but then I realized that many people feel this way about Christians.  Jesus himself told us that if they called your master the prince of Devils what would they call you.  The scriptures also tell us that we are fools in the eyes of the world because of our faith in Christ.  I bet Moses was considered a fool for taking Israel out to the wilderness, or Abraham going to sacrifice his son, or David going to defeat a Giant, or Gideon Battling thousands with only 300 men.  Yet we know how all this ended.  The Promise, The Faith, The Victory.  So to all you fools and idots out there, GOD BLESS YOU for we know that God always has the last word.  
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/11/25/darwin.dawkins.evolution/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+Dawkins&utm_content=harvestchristian%40cox.net&utm_campaign=Dawkins+Resorts+to+Name+Calling+%2F+Someone+Won+the+%2420%2C000

The Holy Spirit

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.



   

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.

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. 

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!     

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.