Some More Helpful Resources...

Are you a iphone user? Here is a list of some great Bible study apps that you might find helpful http://inspiks.com/2009/03/29/best-bible-apps-for-the-iphone/

God’s Credit Card – “Don’t Leave Home Without It”

Tonight, in family devotions, I was reading to my kids from a Bible storybook about Cain and Abel. In this author’s rendition of the story, Cain’s offering was rejected because it was not his best, while Abel’s offering was the best he had to give and therefore acceptable to God. I think that somehow this writer missed the entre point of the Biblical story. In fact, I believe the reality is quite the opposite.

Cain’s offering was the fruit of his labor, the work of his own hands. When God rejected it, “Cain was exceedingly angry and his countenance fell” (Gen 4:5). Cain was so frustrated because he had indeed brought his best to God…and yet his best was not good enough. God said, “If you do well, will you not be accepted?” “Do well?” Cain must have thought. “I’ve done the best I can do.” Perhaps Cain knew in his heart that he had worked longer and harder than Able ever did. Through sweat, tears and hard manual labor Cain had worked the thorny soil to bring this offering to the Lord. Yet God was pleased with Abel’s gift and not his own. Cain could not understand and soon his frustration boiled over into murderous rage.

Why was Abel’s offering acceptable to God? Was it a better offering? Had Abel worked more or harder or better? On the contrary…Abel brought the blood of an innocent other. The real sacrifice was not his at all…it was really the sheep who had paid the dearest price. Abel was NOT relying on the work of his hands and the fruit of his labor. Somehow he understood that it was the blood that satisfied God. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb 9:22).

Cain is a type of all those who come to God with the work of their own hands. Even if we do our best and strive with all our might to please God, we will always come up short, no matter how well-intentioned we may be. Whenever you swipe the credit card of your own righteousness into God's ATM it will ALWAYS be declined. All our righteousness is like filthy rags.

Abel is a type of all those who come to God with the blood of that innocent other; the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It is the blood of Jesus that has cleansed us from all sin (I John 1:7). It is the blood of Jesus that has purged our conscience from dead works (Heb 9:14). It is the blood of Jesus that has reconciled us unto God (Eph 2:13). It is the blood of Jesus that has redeemed us (1 Pet 1:18).

Abel came not on the basis of his works, but in faith, and like Abraham, “It was counted to him as righteousness.” By faith we carry God’s own credit card, without a capital limit, backed by the collateral of heaven’s endless supply, and billed to Calvary’s address. Hallelujah!

~ By Daniel Kolenda (www.danielkolenda.com)

Gospel Crusade, Otukpo/Nigeria: RESULTS

Dear Partners in the Harvest,

Here are the results of last week's Gospel Crusade in Otukpo, Idoma Land, Nigeria: Our Africa-Director informed us that last week 713,590 people responded to the Gospel, received Jesus as their Savior and completed a Decision Card. This crusade was our “out of season-crusade”, because it took place in the Rainy Season, but as you can see, the Lord held back the rain and gave us a full harvest. All Praise be to God!

Please keep us in prayer as we look forward to 5 more crusades before the end of the year. We trust the Lord to provide the finances and ask you to continue to stand with us as we go in Jesus' name!

Please take a few minutes to look at the incredible pictures and read the testimonies from Otukpo:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Yours in the Gospel,
Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke & Daniel Kolenda,
Together the whole CfaN Team.

What to Give One Who Already Has Everything?

“Oh, that someone would give me water to drink,” sighed King David, “from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate!” When three soldiers overheard his wishful musing they reached for their swords and disappeared into the night. They had not been commanded to act and were under no obligation to do so, but driven by a force more compelling then any duty call – love for their King – they broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew out the water and brought it to David.

David was so touched by this exploit that he could not bring himself to drink the water…instead he poured it out before the Lord. It wasn’t the risk they had taken that impressed him. Soldiers were all required to risk their lives, but this was different. They did not do this for Israel, for Judah, for the war or even for the battle. This was a personal offering for David and certainly the most costly gift he had ever been given.

Someone told me, “I don’t have a burden for any particular nation.” In their minds this disqualified (or excused) them from evangelistic ministry. But do you have a love for Jesus? That is the real question. And that is enough to drive us to pour out our lives in service before our King. There is ambition that reigns supreme over all others, including the desire to advance the Kingdom of God or edify the people of God or even to reach the lost and the dying world. The first and finest motivation that anyone can have is just love. Love for the One who loved us so much that He poured out His tears, blood and life. When we receive this gift of life, which cost Him everything, how can we consume it in the pursuit of our own ambitions, lusts and gratification? God forbid. Instead, in reverent awe and profound love, we pour it back out before Him like a drink offering. Make no mistake – this is not a waste. It’s the only appropriately extravagant offering we can bring to the One Who already has everything.

~ By Daniel Kolenda (www.DanielKolenda.com)

God's Prescription

If you were suffering from terrible, chronic headaches and you went to see your doctor, he might write a prescription for something like Fioricet. “Don’t worry,” he’d say. “There’s a pill for that problem.”

If you had high blood pressure, the doctor might prescribe something like Benazepril. “There’s a pill for that problem too.”

If you were suffering from anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, he might prescribe something like Prozac. For every problem he has a pill. And if that pill causes another problem…don’t worry, he has a pill for that problem as well.

But wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone came up with a pill, a single pill that could cure all of your problems, no matter what they were? Just imagine that taking this one drug could cure everything from cancer to canker sores, broken bones to broken hearts…and it was absolutely free!

That is exactly what God has done. He is not a doctor that consults a chart on the wall to find the best solution for your varied problems. He is not a wizard that flips through the pages of a spell-book looking for the right enchantment to cure your ills. He is not a pharmacist mixing this potion with that, concocting a suitable remedy for your complication. God only has one solution for all of your problems. His answer is always Jesus. Nothing else and nothing less than Jesus.

If you need healing the prescription is Jesus.
If you need salvation the prescription is Jesus.
If you need peace in your heart the prescription is Jesus.
If you need deliverance from your addictions and compulsions the prescription is Jesus.

For the many problems of the world, God, the great physician, has prescribed the remedy: the only antidote for sin, death and all of its symptoms. God’s answer…His only answer…is Jesus.

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." ~ Acts 4:12

~ By Daniel Kolenda (www.danielkolenda.com)

Day 5 - Otukpo, Nigeria

We have just returned from the final meeting of this Gospel Campaign here in Otukpo, Nigeria. Even though this is our rainy season campaign, the Lord held back the rain and we had a full and uninterrupted harvest. Tonight the attendance climbed to 280,000. I preached the Gospel and then prayed for the sick and pronounced a blessing over Idoma land.

One lady who was healed from diabetes yesterday brought her report from the doctor confirming her testimony. Then she told me, “I am a Muslim.” When I asked if she knew who had healed her she shouted, “JESUS!” Then she told the crowd, she would follow Jesus the rest of her life. We see in these meetings how salvation, healing, deliverance and Holy Spirit Fire all converge under one heading…The Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are all a part of the same glorious gift that God offers to “whosoever will.”

At last the time had come to say “goodbye,” and I could see how tears were filling many eyes. I am not sure if I will ever see these precious people again in this world, but I am sure that I will meet them again one day around the throne of God where there will be no more tears and no more sad goodbyes.

Thank you to everyone who prayed, and gave to make this crusade possible. It was truly worth every effort.

Please continue to pray as we make final preparations for our next crusade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next month.

Please see the attached pictures (from top to bottom): a panorama of tonight’s crowd, the entire crowd praying over the prayer requests sent in from around the world, the former muslim woman healed of diabetes, a crippled boy healed and woman healed of AIDS with her medical report.

Day 4 - Otukpo, Nigeria

I feel at a loss for words to describe what happened tonight. It seemed to me as if Heaven came to earth. God’s glory invaded that crusade ground in such an extraordinarily powerful way. Tonight after the prayer for salvation, the Holy Spirit descended and thousands were filled to overflowing. Many began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave utterance. Demon possessed people were set free. Miracles of healing began to take place and others fell to the ground under the power of God…it was holy chaos! The Holy Spirit spoke to me to break the curses, and as I did, the crowd erupted in dancing, singing and shouting. All the pastors on the platform began to dance. It was genuine, uninhibited, undignified, and spontaneous rejoicing. I’m sure that all of Heaven was dancing with us, as long-awaited Jubilee came to Idoma land.

Please see the attached pictures of two of tonight’s many healings; one of a man deaf and dumb for 21 years and also a woman totally blind for 3 years, plus a picture of this morning’s final Fire Conference meeting, where the number of registered delegates alone totaled more than 25,000.

Tomorrow is the final day of this campaign and we are looking forward to one more mighty harvest.


















































Pictures by Oleksandr Volyk

Day 3 - Otukpo, Nigeria

Another mighty harvest of souls has just come in. The crowd grew again to 220,000 and the atmosphere was electric. We are all basking in the afterglow of what God has done right before our very eyes. Tonight I told the people, “Righteousness exalts a nation…” The hand of the Lord will lift up any nation, tribe or people that will repent and turn to Him. This happened tonight in epic fashion. The Lord not only saved but also healed multitudes of people.

Tonight we heard many incredible testimonies from deaf people that were healed…including children. A couple of them were deaf since birth – one for the last 11 years. Tonight their ears popped open, and they were instantly healed.






















One young man who was suffering with HIV AIDS for the last 4 years, told me the incredible story of his healing. He had come to the Fire Conference this morning and after Rev. Peter Vandenburg preached, he felt faith rise in his heart. Without a single hand being laid on him he received his healing by faith and went to the doctor for a blood test. He brought the report to me tonight…HIV NEGATIVE!






















Pictures by Oleksandr Volyk: Part of the crowd from behind the platform, the man healed of AIDS with his blood test report, and a little boy who was deaf from birth

Day 2 - Otukpo, Nigeria

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and tonight that power invaded the crusade field again bringing a torrent of salvation and healing. The crowd grew to 200,000, and as they prayed the prayer of salvation, there was such evident passion and sincerity. The sound of their voices seemed to shake the earth, and I must admit, I was very moved as well.

Then the Holy Spirit began to move in miracle power:

A man, blind in both eyes for 80 years received his long-awaited healing.

A young man testified that he had suffered all of his life with sickle cell. Last night when Evangelist Bonnke prayed he said, he felt as thought something went out of him. Today he went to the doctor and brought the report to show me that his blood is now completely normal.

One lady received a double miracle; her deaf ear and crippled leg were both totally healed.

These miracles and many more testify to the authenticity of the Gospel that we preach and the goodness of the God that we serve. This is only day two, and there is much more to come. Stay tuned…

Otukpo, Nigeria - Day One

It’s rainy season here in Nigeria, and torrential downpours are commonplace. Holding open-air meetings in such conditions is a risky business, but we are determined to snatch a million souls out from under the nose of the Devil. Tonight, in spite of heavy afternoon thunderstorms, more than 125,000 people turned out for the very first meeting of this Great Gospel Campaign here in the city of Otukpo. It is clear that there is an insatiable hunger for the Gospel that will not be denied.

The sense of expectancy was palpable as Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke took the microphone to preach. He spoke about, “The Mirror of God”, from the book of Exodus 38:8 and explained that the Word of God is a mirror that allows us to see our uncleanness when we look into it. The message of the Gospel rang out as clear as a bell; sin and salvation, repentance and faith. The response was overwhelming and many thousands were born again into the family of God.

Then came the prayer for the sick. Evangelist Bonnke had hardly said, “Amen,” when the field began to erupt with praise coming from every direction. Dozens of crutches went into the air, and those who had just experienced a miracle came streaming forward.

Several people testified to being healed from blindness. One elderly lady who had been blind in both eyes for 5 years suddenly received perfect sight. She was so overjoyed she began to dance on the platform to the great delight of the crowd.

Three individuals with broken legs testified to being healed and demonstrated their ability to walk and run without their crutches.

One 13-year-old girl, a hunchback from birth, was suddenly straightened and healed.
Even as we left the grounds there was a long line of people who had been healed and were waiting to testify. We are sure that something special is happening here in Otukpo, and this is only the beginning. The best is yet to come.

Can You Trust The Bible?

Are you intimidated when so-called “Biblical Scholars” attack the trustworthiness of the Scriptures? To preach the Word of God with boldness requires confidence in its authority, and it is upon this authority that our faith rests. (Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God). Satan knows that if he can put a wedge under the foundation of our faith he can topple it. In Focus on the Family’s “The Truth Project”, R.C. Sproul says, “If we can establish the existence of God and the trustworthiness of sacred Scripture, 90% of the work of the defense of Christianity has been solved.” No wonder the authority of the Scriptures is constantly under fire by those who seek to undermine the Christian faith.

The Post-Modern, liberal, higher critics that grace contemporary television shows and magazine articles are not the first to attack the authority of Scripture, and they surely won’t be the last. In self-conceit, puffed up by the tiny sampling of regurgitated information they have swallowed, they confidently conclude that the Bible is untrustworthy and flawed.

But there is no reason for the faithful to sit by, nervously chewing their fingernails as the higher critics pose clever new attacks on the consistency of Scripture. Their arrogance, which is as old as the Bible itself, has always come to nothing and their arguments have been proven wrong time and time again. In fact, perhaps it is their incessant attacks that are the greatest proof of the supernatural origin of the Bible, because amazingly, in spite of all of its critics and enemies, the Holy Bible remains the best selling and most read book of all time. By contrast its many historical opponents and their once-profound arguments lie rotting in the ground together.

In 1776 Voltaire said, “100 years from my day there will not be a Bible in the earth except one that is looked upon by an antiquarian curiosity-seeker.” 100 years later Voltaire’s home was being used as a distribution point for spreading Bibles throughout Europe* and within 26 years of his death the British & Foreign Bible Society had been founded, sparking an unprecedented era of Bible distribution**.

In 1778 Voltaire, boasting of himself said, “It took 12 men to start Christianity; one will destroy it.” That was the very year that he died*.

Robert Ingersoll said, “In 15 years I will have this book [the Bible] in the morgue.” Fifteen years later, Ingersoll himself was in the morgue, and in his estate sale a preacher bought his desk and spent his life writing sermons on it*.

In the late 1800’s a scholar named General Lew Wallace, a Territorial Governor and former U.S. Senator, set out to disprove the Bible. His quest led him to discover the wonders of Scripture, and he ended up becoming a devout Christian and writing Ben Hur; a Christian novel, widely considered a true classic of American literature**.

Another scholar, Sir William Ramsey, had a similar experience. He traveled to Asia Minor on a mission to find geographical and archeological evidence that would disprove the claims of the Bible. Instead he was amazed to find that the Bible was remarkably accurate and was ultimately so convinced of its authority that he himself became a believer and biblical scholar**.

Today, in spite of many generations of opposition, by countess assailants, the New Testament has been translated into 1,168 languages***. It is by far the most popular and widely circulated printed material of all time. Even today, it remains a best seller and is printed in so many languages, translations and versions by so many publishers that it is literally impossible to calculate how many millions, if not billions have been printed and circulated.

Its critics and opponents along with their books and institutions have proven to be about as formidable as a gnat battling a hurricane. The contemporary voices that arrogantly rail against scripture will soon be as cold and silent as the grave, as are all those that came before them. But the voice that spoke the worlds into existence will still be thundering through history to every nation and generation through His revealed Word, “Thus says the Lord.”

All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER. ~ 1 Peter 1:24-25

~By Daniel Kolenda (www.danielkolenda.com)

Sources:
* Dr. Del Tackett in “The Truth Project” by Focus on the Family (http://www.thetruthproject.org)
** http://www.spokanebaptist.com/trustbible4.html
*** http://www.wycliffe.org/About/Statistics.aspx

You Will Become What You Behold

A recent article in the New York Times carried the following headline, “Long-Married Couples Do Look Alike, Study Finds”. Dr. Zajonc, a psychologist at the University of Michigan says, “…people often unconsciously mimic the facial expressions of their spouse in a silent empathy and…over the years sharing the same expressions shapes the face similarity.”

It seems that modern science is just now discovering something that Scripture has revealed for a long time; you will become like what you behold. Paul said that as we behold the glory of the Lord we are changed into His very own image from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18). There is an incredible, transformational power in what we set our eyes, mind and heart on, and I believe that it goes much deeper than we even realize.

I can remember as a young boy when my father taught me to mow our lawn, he told me to set my eyes on a target, straight ahead, down the yard and aim for it. Wherever I put my eyes is where I would end up going. The same thing is true when you are driving down the road. If you watch the white line on the side of the road you will tend to drift to that side. If you watch the broken yellow lines, you will gravitate toward the middle, but if you want to go straight, that’s where you should set your eyes. Wherever you look is where you will end up going. If our eyes, heart and mind are on Jesus then we will be conformed into His image, but there is a flip side to the coin…a dark side.

In Matt. 5:28 Jesus said, “… Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Jesus understood this principle that where you look is where you will go. Adultery and fornication begin with lust. Murder begins with hate. Robbery begins with covetousness and greed. Wherever your heart, eyes and mind are set that is where the rest of you will end up eventually. You will become like what you behold.

The American Psychiatric Association says that by age 18, a U.S. youth will have seen 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 acts of violence. Is it any wonder that over 1000 studies, including one by the Surgeon General as far back as 1972 have shown a connection between media violence and aggressive behavior in children? In light of this reality what do you think will be the consequences of the avalanche of images that glorify drug use, gang activity, sexual aggression, gambling, etc? People become like what they set their minds, hearts and eyes on.

In Genesis 30, Jacob devised a scheme to become wealthy. He made a deal with Laban, his father-in-law, that he would receive all of the speckled and spotted cattle, sheep and goats as payment for his shepherding services. Then, “…Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane trees and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white in the rods. Then he set the rods, which he had peeled in front of the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. And since they bred and conceived when they came to drink the flocks bred and conceived in the sight of the rods and brought forth lambs and kids streaked, specked and spotted.” Exactly how it happened is a mystery, but what we do know is that what the cattle, sheep and goats conceived was determined by what was before their eyes.

The “fruit of the spirit” (listed in Galatians 5) are different from the “gifts of the spirit” in that, while gifts come from the outside, fruit comes from the inside. Gifts are given, but fruit is conceived. One thing is certain: people without character can still flow in the gifts…in fact Jesus will say to many gifted people one day, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:23) But fruit is another story. The fruit of the spirit only grows within those who are beholding the glory of the Lord and being transformed into His image from glory to glory. You will conceive what you put before your eyes. This is why the Psalmist said, “I have set the Lord always before me…” (Ps 16:8). The author of Hebrews gave this exhortation in the 12th chapter, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” because you will conceive what is before your eyes, you will end up where you are looking and you will become like what you behold.

The world is becoming more and more like what it is beholding, and so are we. If you want to know what you are beholding most, just look in the mirror. What you are beholding will be clearly seen by what you are becoming. “By their fruits you shall know them…” (Mat. 7:20)

~ By Daniel Kolenda (www.DanielKolenda.com)

Jesus Was Too Dangerously Facinating ~ By Reinhard Bonnke

Was Jesus Christ boring? He was national news! When Pilate handed Christ over to a death squad, it wasn't for spreading gloom and hopelessness. He was too dangerously fascinating, created too much excitement. "All the world has gone out after Him,” (John 12:19) said His jealous enemies. "The common people heard Him gladly."(Mark 12:37). Police came to capture Him but were captivated by Him. They explained, "Nobody ever talked like this Man.” (John 7:46) Jesus? If it's HIM who saves, all He does is wonderful. He came to bless, not to disfigure. He left no trail of depression, no holier-than-thou humbug. Despite cynics: people who turn to Him are a lot better off than those who don't. That's not debatable. It is obvious, unless we keep our eyes shut. Open your eyes please – and your heart.

~By Reinhard Bonnke

Great Resource for Statistics

Here is another great resource for study...especially for those who are interested in the WORLD. Poodwaddle is a clock that keeps running, real time, statistics for population, health issues, environment etc. Check it out by clicking HERE

JEALOUS

Have you ever played a word association game? Word association is an interesting way to see how a person categorizes and connects different ideas, feelings, experiences and information. When I say a particular word, what is the very first word that comes to your mind? For instance if I said, “dog” you might think, “cat”. If I say “heart”, you might say “love”. If I said “fur” you might say, “coat”. What if I said “God”, what would be your first thought? “Good”? “Loving”? “Kind”? “Awesome”? Of course there are a myriad of words that might come to mind, but how about this one…Jealous?

Moses was a man who spoke with God face to face as a man speaks to his friend. If anyone knew that God was a good, loving, powerful, holy, awesome God, it was Moses. But he didn’t choose any of those words to describe God. In Exodus 34:13,14 Moses gives an urgent command to the Children of Israel saying, “But you shall destroy their altars, dash in pieces their pillars, and cut down their Asherim; For you shall worship no other god; for the Lord Whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

Notice…not only is He a jealous God, but it is His very name. Have you ever been pulled aside by a family member of someone that you were dating and been “warned” about some element of their personality? It’s almost as if Moses is giving us a warning about this God that he knows so well. He is a jealous God. This is one part of his personality that you don’t want to cross. He won’t share you with Asherah or Baal or Molech or Dagon. So break those altars, dash those pillars in pieces, cut down those groves. He wants you all for Himself and He won't be satisfied with anything less that everything.

You don’t hear this preached very often about God. It doesn’t make for nice songs and doesn’t seem to fit the big, benevolent Santa Clause that most people have come to envision when they think of Him. But it would do us well to remember this part of His personality that is so significant it is actually His name. His name is Jealous!

Jealous is not willing to share your heart with another lover. Jealous cannot be appeased by “throwing Him a bone” on Sunday morning in the worship service or in the offering. Jealous is not “okay” with things in your life, even important things, coming in and crowding Him out. Jealous doesn’t wink at the sins that bring a cloud of separation between you. Jealous isn’t oblivious when you’re flirting with the world. Jealous is not amused by your games of minimal surrender. Jealous is not impressed by excuses or explanations…even if in long eloquent prayers. Jealous is not deceived by your words…He can see your heart. There is only one thing that you can give Jealous that is satisfactory and acceptable. He wants your heart – all of it – for Himself.

Obvious Evidence of Intelligent Design

I was practically screaming at my television set as I watched this. I don’t usually get so carried away when scientists say things that are intellectually dishonest. Actually, I guess I’ve come to expect it after many hours of watching NOVA and Steven Hawking. But this time, I couldn't contain myself.

This was an episode of Naked Science on the National Geographic Channel that aired on Sunday, July 26th. The show’s thesis was that, new scientific evidence is suggesting that human beings had somehow made their way to the Americas thousands of years earlier than archeologists once thought. And these humans were not the hairy, knuckle-dragging cavemen that your highschool textbooks might suggest, but rather, highly intelligent, sea-faring engineers of amazing skill.

For the most compelling evidence of this, they turned to J.M. Adovasio, PH.D, who is the director of Mercyhurst Archeological Institute. Adovasio is excavating an archeological site at Medocroft Rock Shelter, 35 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He and his team have been peeling this excavation site back, layer by layer, for the last 33 years. Each layer is carbon dated for age, and they are able to record their findings for each chronological snapshot of time like flipping through the pages of a history book.

It was thought that the first Americans arrived on the continent 13,500 years ago, but when Adovasio reached the 13,500-year mark he kept digging. He describes what he was finding as, “unprecedented materials”. After another year of digging, they found an artifact that would “re-write the history books”. Adovasio himself holds up a small black rock that appears to be polished in a slightly triangular shape. He twiddles it back and forth in this fingers, holding it close to the camera and declares, “This very delicate tool is the oldest form tool from the site. It’s slightly older than 16,000 years.” Then the host says with confident assurance, “This find suggests that there was human life in North America 16,000 years ago…BECAUSE IF THERE WAS A TOOL – THERE WERE PEOPLE.”

This rock is SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE worthy of REWRITING THE TEXTBOOKS that human beings lived in America much earlier than previously thought. They were certain that people must have been there because tools don’t just make themselves. Could they observe the people who were there? No. Could they touch them or talk to them? No. The remnants of one of their tools was evidence enough. “…IF THERE WAS A TOOL – THERE WERE PEOPLE.” It's as simple as that.

It would be one thing if they found a typewriter or a bicycle or a computer chip…but they found – a rock…a polished rock. This little black rock is considered watertight, scientific evidence that people were there because, “…IF THERE WAS A TOOL – THERE WERE PEOPLE.”

Wait…Are you telling me that that little, triangular rock couldn’t have just kind of evolved that way? Don’t you think it’s feasible that the water or weather or something other than an intelligent human designer could have contributed over thousands of years to the slightly triangular shape of this rock? Yet, there is no dispute from the scientific community. The evidence is conclusive - “IF THERE WAS A TOOL – THERE WERE PEOPLE.” Any moron could make such a simple deduction…right?

Now I’m no scientist, but I see a little bit of hypocrisy here. If a tiny, black, triangular rock is scientific evidence that intelligent people must have made it, what are we to think about the trillions upon trillions upon trillions of atoms that make up our planet, each with electrons orbiting with the synchronization of a Swiss watch around a nucleus made of protons and neutrons, like a self-contained solar system?

What about the unbelievably complex design of our bodies that employ the aid of over 200 muscles just to take a single step?

What about the human eye, which is so elegant that scientists still don’t fully understand how it works? It completes 100,000 separate functions in a single day and it even conducts its own maintenance work while we sleep. It has automatic aim, focus and aperture adjustment. It even provides color and 3-D images and it can automatically function from darkness to bright light instantly. It can discern over 10 million color hues, including 500 shades of grey alone, and can take in more information than the largest, most complicated telescopes ever invented.

What about our skin, which contains in ONE SQUARE INCH: 4 yards of nerve fibers, 600 pain sensors, 1,300 nerve cells, 36 heat sensors, 75 pressure sensors, 100 sweat glands, 3 million cells, 3 yards of blood vessels and 9,000 nerve endings which send messages to our brain at speeds of up to 124 mph?

What about our brains, which only weigh about 3 pounds and yet contain 12 billion cells each of which is connected to 10,000 other brain cells, making 120 trillion connections. The brain stores so much memory data that by the age of 40, it would take the Empire State building full of computers just to store the same amount of information. It generates more electrical impulses in a single day then all of the world's telephones put together, yet it uses less energy than a refrigerator light.

What about the DNA molecules in our bodies – the most complex molecules in the universe. Their code is so unbelievably elaborate that if you typed out all the code in a single DNA molecule, it would create enough books to fill Grand Canyon 40 times.

What about bacteria such as E. Coli, which is equipped with a propulsion system, complete with a motor, rotor, stator, drive shaft, bushings, universal joint and flexible propeller; 40 moving parts in all, made solely from protein molecules. The ion-powered motor can rotate at up to 100,000 rpm, can reverse direction in only 1/4 of a revolution and has an automatic feedback control mechanism. In spite of its enormous complexity, its size is only 1/100,000 of an inch (1/4,000 mm) in width.

Of course I could go on and on and on talking about the wonders gravity and magnetism that science still cannot fully explain, the flawless rhythm of the solar system, the perfect balance of nitrogen and oxygen in earth's atmosphere that makes life possible, the amazing order in nature that forms a self supporting system of life, reproduction and disposal. But is any of this necessary? The scientific community is holding up a triangular shaped rock as conclusive evidence of intelligent (human) design.

Now I’m not asking any scientists to fall on their face and confess Jesus as Lord; all I am asking for is a little bit of honesty and humility. If there is a tool then simple logic suggests that there must have been a person who fashioned it, and if there is an amazing world full of incomprehensible wonders of design then maybe, just maybe, it’s possible that there is a designer. No wonder Psalms 14:1 says, “The fool saith in his heart there is no God.”

~ By Daniel Kolenda (www.danielkolenda.com)

Urgent Prayer Request - Christians Martyred in Pakistan

Earlier today I received an email from a dear Pakistani friend urgently asking for prayer. He says:

"Pakistan urgently needs your prayer. Since 2 days attack on Christian living in a city of Gojra is going on. 8 men women and children have been martyred. Believers are full of fear.

The tension still continues due to an extremist group that was banned by the government of Pakistan.

You can see TV footage on the BBC World. Go to South Asia and there you will find the details.

We hope and trust your prayers for our dear land."

To watch the above referenced video: CLICK HERE

Please pray for our precious brothers and sisters in Pakistan

The Way Up Is Down

In the 70’s and 80’s, CBS broadcasted its hit sitcom, “The Jeffersons”. The show featured an African-American family that became wealthy and moved out of a run-down area in Queens to a luxury apartment in Manhattan. As they celebrated their newfound promotion, the Jeffersons’ used to sing about “movin’ on up”, a phrase that has since become synonymous with the sitcom.

Whenever we speak of advancement or promotion we tend to think of it as upward motion; climbing the ladder, breaking the glass celing, getting on top of the heap, up-grading, elevating, etc., but nothing says it better than, “Movin’ on up.”

UP – it is the direction that everyone wants to go; for the path upward seems to be the path of fame, fortune, honor and glory. But Isn’t it interesting that many of earth’s most precious substances can only be acquired by digging deep down? The person who is willing to go very low could become very wealthy. Engineers also understand that if they want to raise a tall building, first they need to go low and lay a deep foundation. So it is with promotion. Jesus said, “…he who humbles himself shall be promoted.” The low path of humility is the only path to promotion with God.

Joseph had lofty dreams of greatness. He saw his mother, father and brothers all bowing down before him. But God’s way of promoting Joseph to the top was not what he would have imagined. Ironically, it was those very dreams of glory that bred contempt in the hearts of his brothers who eventually sold him into a humble life of slavery.

Joseph’s path to greatness would take him through the bitter waters of servitude, character assassination and even imprisonment in the royal dungeon. For Joseph, life seemed to have a downward trajectory, constantly going from bad to worse. I’m sure there were moments that he must have asked, “Why God?” Wasn’t it God who had promised him promotion and influence? Had Joseph done something wrong that God was allowing him to go through such arduous hardships?

Joseph descended down the dark winding staircase of humility and submission. When he reached the last door at the bottom, he discovered that this obscure downward path had led him all the way to…the top! Almost overnight he found himself in one of the highest places of power and authority in the world. All along, it was this lowly path that God had determined to use to lift Joseph up. Joseph discovered that THE WAY UP IS DOWN.

Perhaps the greatest example of this principle comes from Jesus Christ Himself. He who was in “the form of God”, made Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant. Not only was He found in fashion as a man, but He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death…even death on a cross. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

The world teaches us that we live in a dog-eat-dog world, and if we want to advance we need to fight for our rights, prove ourselves, and step on the competition if necessary. But Psalms 75:6,7 tells us that “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

If we want to be promoted, it would be wise to heed the advice of the One who gives promotions:

Luke 14:11,"For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled. And he who humbles himself shall be promoted."

Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will promote you."

Proverbs 29:23, "A person's arrogance will bring him low, but with the humble is wisdom."

2 Corinthians 10:18, "For not he who promotes himself is approved, but whom the Lord promotes."

When I visited the Eiffel Tower last year during our conference in Paris, I noticed that there were three different queues you could join. One went to the first level, one went to the second level and one went all the way to the top. To come all the way to Paris and then only go to the first or second level seemed ridiculous…I was determined to go to the top. I could see how the first and second level queues were climbing the stairs going immediately up, but for some strange reason, my queue was headed downward. It seemed strange for the queue going the highest to be moving downward, but soon I saw the reason. While the other queues were climbing the stairs with their hands and feet, we were making our way to a lift that would take us all the way to the top.

Some people are so eager to be successful that they are climbing level-by-level with all of their might; proving themselves and promoting themselves with feverish urgency. But you should know that God has an elevator waiting for those who want to go higher than level one or level two. And the only way to get to God’s elevator is to go down the low place of humility and submission. The way up is down.


~ By Daniel Kolenda (www.danielkolenda.com)