A SKEPTIC OF CYNICS

(…CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY)

One man told me recently, “I consider myself a ‘Chari-skeptic’.” He apparently took great pride in his unbelief – two sins for the price of one. I know people who feel it is somehow noble and a great service to the Body of Christ to question everything that God does. Every healing has to be verified by a doctor, every manifestation needs a logical explanation, and every miracle must be approached with skepticism and cynicism. Their default setting is to doubt their “beliefs”.

While I am certainly not one who endorses mindlessly swallowing everything that comes down the line, I would like to see a new breed of skeptics arise; skeptics that question uncertainty, doubt doubts and are cynical about unbelief.

Jesus was this kind of skeptic. In Mark 6:6, we read that Jesus “…marveled because of their unbelief.” Jesus couldn’t believe that they couldn’t believe. Why are the unbelievers always on the offense and those with faith always on the defense? Isn’t it more logical to trust an all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere-present God rather than the six inches of grey matter between our ears? I say we should be skeptical of anything that hints of unbelief.

As mentioned earlier, many people ask, “Why do more miracles happen in Africa than in the west?” My response, “Who says that more miracles happen in Africa?” I’m skeptical about the premise of that question.

Here’s another question I get asked often; “Why doesn’t everyone get healed?” My response to that is the same as the one above: “Who says everyone doesn’t get healed?” A valid question might be, “Why didn’t everyone get healed in that particular setting?” But to just assume, based on your own experience or something you have heard, that in every instance, only a percentage of those sick receive a healing, is in my opinion, founded in unbelief.

Another question I often hear is, “Why don’t miracles happen like they used to?” You see, just like it's easy to believe that miracles can happen…somewhere else, it's also easy to believe that something miraculous happened in the past, or can happen sometime in the future. The only thing people have difficulty believing is that God can do it right here, right now…but here and now is all we have.

I think that often these questions, and others like them, are really nothing more than a subconscious attempt to let ourselves off the hook. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His Word, His power and His promises are the same. What’s more, there are plenty of people who are seeing God’s mighty power demonstrated here and now. Bottom line: there is no excuse.

~ By Daniel Kolenda (www.danielkolenda.com)

Are You Limiting God?

Unbelief often infiltrates our hearts in the most covert ways. Sometimes we don’t even realize that it’s there. It is good from time to time to take stock of our own belief system to see what is based on God’s Word and what is simply something that we have heard repeated, even by godly leaders, and accepted as fact.

One of the most common questions that people ask me is, “Why do these incredible miracles happen in Africa but not in the western world?” I have heard very well known and well-intentioned ministers give entire teachings about why God doesn’t do it here. I have even heard one use Reinhard Bonnke’s crusades (where I preach) as an example. Some of the explanations I have heard are actually very rational and really explain in detail why it works this way. I must admit, for a long time I also had various answers to this question. And then one day, it occurred to me…the problem is revealed by the question itself.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “…He that cometh unto God MUST BELIEVE.” Anyone who approaches God with the preconception that God heals there but not here (wherever “here” and “there” may be), has already prophesied the outcome of there own request. You cannot approach God like that. Faith is the fundamental basis upon we can and must approach the Almighty.

Where did we get the idea that God does greater miracles in third-world countries than he does in the west? Many people, in asking this question, have just accepted this notion as fact, but what data is it based on? There is certainly nothing in scripture to support it. I can tell you from my own anecdotal experience, as one who ministers all over the world, that THE POWER OF GOD IS THE SAME in the Western world as it is in Africa, Asia or any third-world country. I just returned a couple weeks ago from a tour in the United Kingdom. We saw incredible miracles in every single service. Tumors were disappearing, deaf ears opening, arms, legs and eyes instantly healed. In fact, given the relative numbers, I would say that in many places in the west I have seen more healings then even in Africa – you can’t tell me that miracles don’t happen in the west!

Psalms 78:40, 41 gives us some fascinating insight on God’s frustration with the Children of Israel in the wilderness. It says, “How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, AND LIMITED THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.”

Of course the Children of Israel had seen great wonders and signs unlike any generation of human beings before them. They knew that God was powerful, but they subjected Him to a set of parameters and constraints based on their own experiences. God was provoked and grieved by their limitations and allowed their doubt to become a self-fulfilling prophecy (ie. Ex. 14:11 the Israelites say, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?” – Num. 26:65, God says, “They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”)

Even Jesus had a taste of this in His own ministry. When He returned to His hometown Mark 6:5 says, that He was not able to do any miracles there. I can just hear the locals asking each other, “Why do miracles happen in Jerusalem and not in Nazareth?” Their unbelief was literally enough to limit what He was able to do in their midst. Their unbelief had become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The philosophy that God doesn’t do it here, is nothing more than an insidious, demonic doctrine of unbelief, and I, for one, refuse to humor the bogus assumption discretely tucked into the question any longer. How has Satan managed to get us to buy into this baseless lie wholesale? It was in the west that the Great Awakenings took place. It was in the west that people like Smith Wigglesworth, Kathryn Khulmen, William Branham and all of the great healing evangelists of the 30’s 40’s and 50’s witnessed some of the greatest miracles in recorded history. It was in the west that the Holy Spirit was poured out in Wales and Azusa Street and the Hebrides. The Charismatic movement, the Jesus People movement, the Toronto outpouring and the Brownsville Revival, all happened in the west.

It’s worth mentioning that this is not a uniquely western problem…it is a human problem, a problem of unbelief, a problem of limiting God. You see, for some reason, many have subconsciously bought into a philosophy that says miracles can happen everywhere except here. Those in the west find it easy to accept that something miraculous can happen far away like Africa or Asia. But I have also heard those in Africa and Asia talk about the wonderful things happening in America. The voice of unbelief says that anything can happen…somewhere else. This is not faith and it does not please God.

What other notions have we adopted into our belief system that limit God? Maybe we will find that some of our great questions have a very simple solution, one that we have actually known all along, “He that cometh to God must believe…”

(CONTINUED TOMORROW…)

WAKE UP AMERICA!

I'm so sorry that I only came across this after the event was already over, but I still think this video is worth seeing just for the wake up call. Also, I have posted a report from the event that happened on the 25th at the end of this entry. If you want more information about "God Has a Better Way" go to www.voiceofrevolution.com



CLICK HERE TO READ REPORT ON THE EVENT

Healing for You...Now!

This is a teaching that was posted by Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke a couple of days ago on his Facebook Fan Page. I thought it was powerful and worth re-posting. Also, if you are not already one of Evangelist Bonnke's fans, CLICK HERE and you will be able to subscribe. He regularly posts personal messages and powerful teachings that will be a blessing to you. Enjoy...

Luke 8:43-48 tells the story of the woman who touched Christ's robe and was healed of an issue of blood.

This woman's constant hemorrhage was a disaster. It left her anemic, weak, breathless and hardly able to walk about. She was also poor, having spent all she had on physicians. Because she had no money she was no longer able to eat nourishing food to compensate for her loss of strength. Also, she was ceremonially unclean, and because of her illness, everything and everybody she touched would be considered unclean (see Lev. 15:19-30). She had no friends and was unwanted - as much a social outcast as any leper.

Jesus made systematic circuits through the villages, and she knew He would be coming. When He did, she struggled through the crowd and touched the fringe of His robe and was instantly healed. She felt it. So did Jesus. Now comes the point of the story, which was not so much the healing as what happened next.

He asked who touched Him. Well, dozens had. Then the woman came trembling and afraid. Why? Because she had touched Him, and she knew her defilement had defiled Jesus. (Likewise, our defilement of sin defiled Him - He was made sin for us on the Cross (see 2 Cor. 5:21).) All eyes were upon her. The whole crowd was quiet, everybody straining to see who had brought the party to a screeching halt. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was entirely focused on one outcast, a little scrap of unknown humanity. Her loneliness and illness had put all heaven in a rage, and God sent His Son for her alone at this moment. Then came Christ’s verdict. The same One who will one day judge the nations and pronounce His verdict on mighty empires, the Lord and Maker of heaven and earth, paused for a moment and said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." (Luke 8:48)

This same Jesus is now knocking at your door. Anybody sick or in bondage? Seize your opportunity!

Nice View!

I have just arrived in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where we are working hard to make preparations for our Crusade in September. I can see beautiful Copacabana Beach from my hotel...it is a perfect day to be in Rio.

A Great Resource for Bible Study

This is a great resource for Bible study...check it out: www.BibleMap.org

for a sample of how it works, click on the link above to take you to the BibleMap.org website, then select "Joshua 12" and then click on one of the pins that will appear on the map. Enjoy...

Saved to Serve

“If I were to save your life, what would you do?” This was the question that Cyrus, the King of Persia asked to a rebel chieftain named Cagular whom he had captured and was about to execute. Cagular replied, “King, I would serve you the rest of my days.” We would tend to see Cagular’s pledge of allegiance and service to Cyrus as nothing more than a reasonable and expected obligation in exchange for the Kings merciful pardon. Cagular also recognized that because he was saved, he was compelled to serve.

In Matthew chapter 8, we read that Peter’s mother-in-law was ill with a fever. Jesus came to Peter’s house and verse 15 says, “…he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.”

Mothers, grandmothers, and mothers-in-law…I guess they’re all the same. If they’re breathing, they’re working. The moment that Peter’s mother-in-law was able to get up, she was back in the kitchen, serving the guests and “ministering unto them.” I probably would have said, “Relax mama! You’ve just been bedridden…you don’t need to be waiting on houseguests right now! Let somebody else serve the tea and biscuits.” But how could she just lay there? Jesus had touched her and healed her. She felt obligated to get up and serve him. Notice that Jesus didn’t stop her. In fact, perhaps he expected this reaction from the onset.

Paul told the Romans that they should present themselves to God as a living sacrifice, and then he added, “this is your reasonable service.” In other words, this is not some favor that you are doing for God. He purchased you and redeemed you with the blood of His son. He set you free from sin and bondage. He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ. In light of all He has done for you, your reciprocate service to Him is only “reasonable”. You have been saved to serve.

Mordacai told Esther, “Who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion.” In other words, Mordacai explained that Esther had been put in her position of power, prestige, and safety in the Kings palace, not because she was so beautiful or wonderful, but because God had a purpose for her to fulfill. Mordacai added, “If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish.” Her willingness to do her part in the fulfillment of that divine purpose was not a discretionary benevolence towards God – it was her obligation. She had been saved to serve.

Paul said in Romans 1:14, 15, “I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” You see the traditional thinking of the Jewish elite was that they were the chosen people and any ministry to the gentiles was a gracious favor given to undeserving heathen. But Paul saw himself as one who was shown great mercy by God, and as such he saw himself as a debtor to the rest of mankind. For him to preach the Gospel to the gentiles was not a charitable handout, it was his reasonable service, because Paul realized that he had been saved to serve.

An American soldier in the Vietnam War was about to step on an anti-personnel landmine that was hidden from his sight. His comrade across the battlefield who could see the impending disaster from his vantage point stood up from behind his protective barricade and shouted a life-saving warning to his friend. At that moment the brave young man received a fatal gunshot wound that would ultimately end his life. A couple of years later, at an honorary memorial service in the United States, the soldier whose life had been saved from the landmine had a chance to meet the family of his deceased friend. The son was only seven years old and had never gotten a chance to know his father. “I want you to know,” the soldier said to the young boy, “Your father saved my life.” The little boy looked up at him with tears streaming down his cheeks. “Sir”, he said, “were you worth it?”

Leonard Ravenhill once asked the question, “Is what you’re living for worth Christ dying for?” Not only did Jesus save our lives, he did so at the expense of His own life. Not only did He rescue us from Hell, He descended to the lowest depths of Hell in our place. He was poor that we could be blessed. He was afflicted so that we could be well. But He didn’t save us so that we could be polished, decorative knick-knacks sitting on his shelf filling space in heaven for eternity. We have been saved for a purpose and the fulfillment of that purpose is the only acceptable reaction that we can have to “so great a salvation.” You have an obligation, a debt, a compulsion and a liability to the One who laid down His life for you. You have been saved not for salvation's sake, but you have been saved to serve. This is your reasonable service.

~By Daniel Kolenda (www.danielkolenda.com)

Hearing God in The Wilderness - (Part 2)

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY...

I have seen books and teachings and entire courses dedicated to the subject of, “How to Hear the Voice of God”, but I know of no better teacher than, “The Wilderness”. You see, not only is God speaking in the wilderness, but also He is teaching us to hear Him better. When He is speaking comfortably to us in a still small voice our ears become attuned to His words.

Since I travel around the world quite often, I am constantly coming into contact with people who speak foreign languages (you might be one of them). I will often try to pick up a few words here or there and can usually tell from the grins and grimaces on the faces of the locals that I am not pronouncing it right. I am reproducing exactly what I hear, but because my ears are not attuned to the subtle nuances in the pronunciation of particular words, there are certain sounds and inflections that I simply do not hear. The good news is that there is nothing wrong with me. If I had enough time and patience, I could eventually train my ear to hear these distinctions with ease.

Dr. Christophe Schreiner of the W.M. Keck Foundation Center for Integrative Neuroscience at the University of California says, “We go to a foreign country, hear what people are saying, but we can't make subtle discriminations of syllables in order to establish the border between words. With time and experience the brain is adjusting to this, our neurons are becoming more discriminative, and we can distinguish words in what initially just appeared to us as an unbroken stream of sound.”

The moral is this: if you listen closely, over time, your hearing will become more sensitive. We are often awed by the fabulous stories of someone hearing the “audible voice of God”, but the real prize goes to those who learn to hear the subtle whisper of the Holy Spirit.

My father is a pastor, and I think it is fair to say that I was raised in church. I can still remember how my father could be on the platform, behind the pulpit, singing or preaching while I was doing something mischievous. He didn’t need to shout through the microphone at me, all he needed to do was catch my eye. With his eyes he could give me a stern warning that would impress me enough to change my ways.

In Psalms 32:8 God promises, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Could there be a more striking illustration of sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit? The contrast to this is found in the following verse, “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.” Some people's spiritual perception is about as sensitive as mule. When God wants to get their attention He has to break out a 2x4 and smack them between the eyes. These people require a bit and a bridle. They need constant external stimuli and are always looking for a sign. The reason is simple..."they have no understanding."

The wilderness is part of God's cure for the "bit and bridle believers." In the wilderness He will break the bucking broncos and bring each of us to a place where we are so sensitive to His Spirit that we can sense and respond the subtlest cue. Don’t fight the wilderness…embrace it and cultivate sensitivity to hear God’s “still small voice”.

Hearing God in the Wilderness (Part 1)

Life is difficult for many people right now. Economic crisis, family problems, health issues or any other combination of difficulties have brought many to a place of frustration and discouragement. Maybe this is why I have been hearing quite often from those who would say they are in a sort of spiritual wilderness.

The wilderness is a lonely place where direction is often hard to come by. In fact the wilderness is a place where God is not speaking…or is He?

Actually, I believe that God is always speaking…even in the wilderness – that will never change. But what may change is His tone. In Hosea 2:14 God, speaking of the prodigal nation of Israel, says, “Therefore, behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably to her.”

Recently I was sitting in a crowded restaurant trying to hold an important one-on-one conversation with my wife, but because of the ambient noise of people in the room talking, we found ourselves shouting at one another. If you’ve ever had a similar experience, you will agree that this kind of communication gets old after a while. If you really want to have meaningful communication with someone, you need to go to a quiet place where you can speak comfortably.

This is what God was saying to Israel, “I am going to take you into the wilderness, but not because I hate you or am angry with you, but because I want to speak comfortably to you.” Sometimes, I think that God gets tired of trying to shout over all of the noise in our lives. We are so often addicted to the business and commotion of our incessant activities that when we are drawn out of the busy restaurant of our lives into the quietness of the wilderness, we think that God is angry with us. And because He is not shouting over all the noise, we think He is not speaking. But it is here in this quiet place, this lonely place, this sometimes-uncomfortable place that He speaks the most precious things to us, if we care to listen to Him rather than straining to get back inside the restaurant as soon as possible.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW...

A Death in the Family

Yesterday my Father-in-Law had to put down the family pet. Daisy was a cute little silky haired terrier that was 15 years old. In dog years that would make her…um…really old! Her poor little body was starting to break down and putting her out of her misery was the only humane option. When my 4-year-old son, Elijah, heard the news over the phone he began to cry. “Daddy”, he said as he climbed into my lap, “I miss Daisy.” I must admit, it was a bit of an emotional moment. I was heartbroken to see his little heart broken. Even though a pet is just an animal, there is some strange bond that develops in our hearts as we become familiar and acquainted with it. This anthropomorphic, emotional attachment is very illogical, but it is an inherent human propensity that can be traced back to the earliest times of our history.

It is interesting that in Exodus 12, God gives very specific commands about the preparation of the Passover sacrifice. In verse 6 He gives a most curious instruction regarding the sacrificial lamb: “And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month…” Literally they would take this small, one year-old, little lamb out of the flock and bring it home for fourteen days until Passover. During that time the family would have undoubtedly become attached to this cuddly, little fur ball. The kids would play with it and sleep next to it and name it. The parents would feed it every day and clean up after it. The price of a lamb could be measured in silver shekels, but once it had become a member of the family, its value transcended money…it was priceless.

Then Passover came. They took the little family lamb and killed it. The blood was painted on the two vertical, side posts and on the horizontal, upper post of the door to the house. The children probably stood by weeping, and buried their faces in their mother’s apron as the father with a heavy heart, brushed the blood on the posts. But where the horizontal and vertical strokes met, on the upper corners of each doorframe they formed a cross. Unknowingly, with this priceless sacrifice, they had painted a timeless symbol of the glorious salvation to come.

The Passover lamb had to be more than a gyro and lamb chops because it was a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ – the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. The death of the Passover lamb needed to have profound meaning in the hearts of the family that it died for. They needed to somehow experience some sense of loss, of pain and of sorrow. For this sacrifice was a type of the day when the Father Himself would be separated from Jesus for the first time in eternal history. He would watch as His beloved Son was sacrificed before His eyes on a cruel cross and His precious blood shed for the sins of the world. God wanted Israel and us to know that Calvary was not some religious, liturgical formality. It was a deeply personal and painful experience for all of Heaven's family. He paid so high a price for us…I’m sure that we will never fully understand.