I'M so scared....

Today I saw the enemies of God become humiliated. God destroyed their home. The woman is now living a life or fornication and their families are broken. As I was pulling away from the area the family had anger in their eyes and they were mad dogging me. I just moved on not worrying about it. I rebuked the look and still gave it to God. It seems to me they still have not learned. Of course God is not through punishing those who rise up against his people.
Our God is so good and all we can really do is worship him and watch him place our foes under our feet.

Thank You Jesus.

Relationship Evangelism

"A Letter To Way Of The Master"

I was with our team at Huntington Beach last Saturday when I noticed some teenagers with signs that said, "FREE HUGS." It turns out that they were a Christian group sharing "God's love" with strangers, by giving them a hug. I asked the leader if the kids shared the gospel with the strangers they hugged. They didn't. It was "relationship evangelism." Yes, they were going to Hell if they died in their sins, but they didn't want to be pushy. I encouraged him to have his team at least give out tracts to those they hugged, but he was in a hurry and had to leave before I could convince him to do so.


In a list of "Ten Ideas for Everyday Outreach," a leading Christian magazine recently suggested praying for people "as you walk by them," tell them you appreciate them, leave notes of encouragement, pick up trash, leave a thank you note for waiters, be friendly, etc.

If that's outreach, what are they reaching out for? Is it so that if sinners die in their sins they will think about how nice Christians were to them, and how they keep the sidewalks free of trash? They will need more than a hug, in Hell.

I couldn't help but think of how bold a person has to be to run around with a sign that says "FREE HUGS." Surely there must be someone in their leadership that has read "How shall they hear without a preacher," and will steer these kids to be true and faithful witnesses. Then again, they may have got their hugs idea from the leading Christian magazine, and therefore think that they are doing the right thing.

REPLY:  PASTOR MICHAEL SALMAN

     Relationship Evangelism is very effective if it is done properly.  With that said, I want to stress the point that relationship evangelism could also be fake and religious.  A person who is nice to other people only because they want to convert them to Christianity seems to be putting on a front.  The fact is Christians should be nice, PERIOD.  We should have the call of God on us and the best relationship evangelism should be that of a real life witness of holiness and purity for God.  Remember Jesus won people not because he was nice but because He told the truth.  As a matter of fact when it came time for sinners Jesus was not really nice at all.  In many of his teachings the sinners and those who reject God are going to Hell, they wither, or burn up.  Remember in Jerusalem He turned tables, and rebuked the Pharisees.  In another time he turned to the people and said, stop being free loaders and follow God because you love Him not because what he can give you. 
     True evangelism means being True not fake. 

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®

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

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.


 

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. 

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.   

The Right To Worship

     Every morning I get up ready to begin my day.  I wake-up the kids, take a shower and get dressed ready to go to the office.  I begin by reading the scripture for the day, my devotionals and some study, then as fast as the day begins it ends.  From dealing with businesses throughout the United States to going to pick up the kids from school the work day is finished.  I get home where my home is the safe haven and I am the prince of the castle.  Of Course Jesus is the King.  The rest of the day I enjoy meeting with my friends, family and other brothers and sisters in Christ and occasionally a good movie.  Then I spend a couple of days during the week where my guest come to my home and worship with me as we celebrate the day the Lord has Made!  This is what it means to be a Christian who lives in America.  Protected to worship God in the privacy of your home with your family, friends and guests.  Is that against the law?  Should people who gather in their home under Christ be different than those who gather under superbowl, or new years, or Christmas.  I thank God that through his Provisions and Providence He forknew to place in the heart of our founding fathers the 1st Amendment!  Thank you Jesus.