Berean Journeymen

FROM LIFE ACTION MINISTRIES (THIRST CONFERENCE)

It is likely as a result of God's work in your life during the Thirst Conference, you will find that much of what you read, watched, and did for entertainment before the conference is no longer suitable. God has likely convicted you of specific activities and viewing habits you cannot continue to participate in.

However, unless the improper is replaced with the proper, it is inevitable that you will eventually fall back into the same sin patterns, and most certainly your last state will be worse than the first. This particularly applies to movies, television, and the Internet.

God says that the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). Nothing will destroy the fresh work of God in your life as quickly as a return to a worldly lifestyle that feeds the flesh.

Philippians 4:8 is a standard to use in evaluating the suitability of prospective viewing and reading materials. Even so-called "Christian" novels and videos must be scrutinized against the light of God's Word.

If you genuinely desire to honor God with all of your life, the Spirit will set the parameters of your leisure time. Quality family time and godly reading materials will serve to fill the void created by the rejection of fleshly indulgences.

As an aid to begin practicing this principle, consider using the "Put Off . . . Put On" sheet given out during the conference (available on our website) as a daily guide and reminder of the types of qualities we need to put on as obedient believers.

While you can use the negative qualities as a help in your confession time before God, focus on the positive traits as you apply the concept of positive replacement in your life. By taking two or three traits each day, you can cycle completely through the character qualities each month.


Insight from the Word:

Romans 6:6-7 "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Ephesians 4:22-24 "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."


Making It Personal

- Do my viewing, reading, and listening choices meet the Philippians 4:8 standard?
- Are there any habits or practices in my life that are feeding my flesh rather than my spirit?
- What specific things can I identify as having been replaced in my life since the Thirst Conference?
- Are there other areas God is calling for me to change?

This is a Story that was on ESPN News. You've got to read this story. It's an amazing Message. Sorry for the layout, as I cut and pasted it.

Life of Reilly
There are some games where cheering for the other side feels better than winning.
by Rick Reilly


They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.
It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.
Did you hear that? The other team's fans?
They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.
"I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANOTHER PARENT TO TELL SOMEBODY TO HIT THEIR KIDS. BUT THEY WANTED US TO!"
It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.
"I never in my life thought I'd hear people cheering for us to hit their kids," recalls Gainesville's QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. "I wouldn't expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!"
And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.
But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.
This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.
So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."
Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"
And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."
Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!
"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"
It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"
Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.
After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."
And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.
As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.
The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."
And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they'd never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.
Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it's nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.
Hope.

Over the last several months I've been learning (mostly through the help of my wife) the significance of the Jewish Traditions, Feast, and Holy Days which are significant to us as Christians. My wife hears things, and I am the fact checker. (Question Everything = Tim) So yesterday she shares this story with me that she heard in a Sermon, and the subject was how the Jewish Wedding Ceremony is a mirror image of our relationship with Christ. From how we as chosen, to how we are to prepare ourselves, to how we have to wait, to how the Father and the bridegroom play the same parts as what the Bible says our Holy Father, and Son play. The similarities were amazing, so amazing, I thought that can't be true, because we would have noticed that before now. Someone would have mentioned that. So yesterday I went on my search, and I could not believe what I found and what I read. As I read, God's word was illuminated to me in a new way so I thought I'd share one of the many sites I found discussing the matter.

Here is the site : http://ldolphin.org/risk/ult.shtml

One More : http://www.mayimhayim.org/JewishWedding.htm

What I did a search on was Ancient Jewish Wedding Traditions.. I encourage you to look for yourself. It's very interesting and enlightening.

God Bless You All and Rejoice, Rejoice a Savior is Born

The past several weeks I've really been reflecting on this past year and how I've seen God at work in my life. I've reflected on the fact that even though this is one of the toughest economic times that has occurred not only in my life, but in most of our lives, that I have a joy, peace and contentment I have never felt before. My hope in years past has always relied on me, my business, and my successes. I was self sufficient and self reliant, and though I was going to church and believed in God, and accepted Christ as my savior, I did not put my Hope in my faith or my Savior, nor was I living a life following the biblical principles and practices of God's word.

My hope in past years lead me to a place in my life, where even though I had times of success, and times of prosperity, I never reached that point of joy, peace and contentment that Christ promises. When My hope was in money and success, I realize that there was never enough to fill that emptiness in my soul, heart and mind.

Brothers, I must tell you that my greatest joys this past year have come out of relationships. Relationships with God and relationships with you men. Prior to this year, relationships were the last thing that I wanted or thought I needed. I believed that I could do it alone and didn't need nor have time for socializing and dealing with people. When I started relating to Christ, and to other men, then it turned out there wasn't the desire or the room for "Self", that had been my existence and purpose to my life before. I must say that I've experienced a Love and Compassion for people that I have never felt in my life before. I also feel the feel a burden for people that I've never felt before. This burden is not a heavy burden like I felt before when I was focused on self and success, but this burden is a burden that comes out of Love for other people. Through this I've learned that prayer is not about myself, and my ways, and my wants, but my prayers have grown out of true love and concern for others.

I am so very thankful through a Christ centered life, that not only have I been blessed in knowing Christ more intimately, but I have gotten to know more about each and every one of you. Some of you I have gotten to know very well, and others I may just have met or learned a little about, but compared to a year ago, it is awesome to have so many Christian Men in my life, who I can encourage, be in fellowship and friendship with, lift up in prayer and go to the Altar and who are doing the same for me. I think back at this past year, and how God has touched each and every one of our lives in new ways, and also the lives of others. I think of the marriages or relationships which may have been restored. I think of the sins that may have been deterred or stopped. I think of the new Hope that many of us have. I think of the new relationships that have begun. I think of the Band of Brothers who joined me in meeting God at the Altar. I think of the warriors that God has enlisted in his army. I think of the Men's service and how that affected each and every one of us. I think of the Berean Journeymen, and how God may continue to use us to accomplish his will. Each and every one of you is a blessing in my life. I thank God for bringing you all into my life, and look forward to this year being the begining of a Journey together with each and every one of you.

God Bless You All. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and are able to reflect on how Blessed you truly are.

Tim

His Word continues to speak to our revival and the next steps we must take to live a glow stick life. As I was reading Ezra, I was again reminded of my sinfulness of allowing myself to get intermingled with the world and yet shown lovingly that God does provide us hope of restoration and a way to deal with our sins – all part of being broken for Him.

Read Ezra 9 and 10 so you have the entire story but here is the background and gist of what transpired.

After Babylon was defeated by the Medes and Persians, God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to proclaim that Judah and Benjamin go up and build God a house in Jerusalem. 42,360 sons and daughters of Israel went up to Jerusalem taking with them many of the articles of the temple removed by Nebuchadnezzer. The temple rebuilding was started, stopped two years later by reports to the king by enemies of Judah and Benjamin. After 14 years it was started again and completed four years later and the Passover and the Feast of Unleaven Bread were celebrated by the exiles and those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land.

58 years later, Ezra the priest set his heart to study the law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. King Artaxerxes decreed that any of Israel and their priests and Levites who were willing could return with Ezra to Jerusalem and that all his subjects should support Israel. After journeying to Jerusalem with the silver, gold and offerings for God’s house under God’s protection, they settled in.

Princes of Israel approached Ezra to confess that the people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the land and their abominations, for they had taken some foreign daughters as wives for themselves and their sons so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands and that the hands of the princes and rules have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.

When he saw their transgression, Ezra tore his robe, pulled out his hair and sat down appalled in humiliation, arising later at the evening offering only to fall on his knees and stretch out his hands before God in a powerful prayer of confession – much like Sunday night of Thirst – saying,

“And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and our great guilt, since Thou or God hast requited us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us an escaped remnant as this, shall we again break Thy commandments and intermarry with the peoples who commit these abominations? Wouldst Thou not be angry with us to the point of destruction, until there is no remnant nor any who escape? O LORD God of Israel, Thou are righteous, for we have been left an escaped remnant, at it is this day; behold, we are before Thee in our guilt, for no one can stand before Thee because of this.”

The sons of Israel then made a covenant with God to put away all the wives and their children, according to the counsel of Ezra and those who tremble at the commandment of our God (10:3). Shortly thereafter (v 9), all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem before the house of God, trembling because of this matter.

As we ponder the next steps of revival, perhaps a healthy dose of trembling before the Holiness of God is in order.

See you at His altar,

Tom Culp

Last week was quite intriguing as God brushed by Berean, but He wants to come closer and do more in the weeks and months to come…much more. The question is do we want to be part of it, because the choice is ours.

Do we want to feel the Holy Spirit moving and working in our hearts as we felt last week? Do we want to hold onto and build upon what God is doing; knowing deep down it is good and right? Or will we choose to let ourselves slip back into our usual patterns and self-built pits…I’ve been in the pit too many times and know I’m sick and tired of its emptiness.

Despite our unworthy selves, God loves us and is reaching out to you and me once again, in a very special way. Regardless of where we are, He wants to meet us there and draw us back unto himself.

One thing seems clear this week; God is reminding us the process starts with brokenness and repentance. We need to humbly come to terms with the areas of our lives that fall short of what God wants; reflecting on all of the sin in our lives, asking for God to forgive us, and committing to do our part to purge it from our lives and allow God to change us.

Guys, if we’re not talking with God, then let’s commit to start this week…as awkward as it may seem at first, let’s start. If we are spending time with God in prayer, then let’s commit to being more consistent and praying more often throughout the day, every day.

If we’re not reading the Bible, then let’s commit to start this week – maybe starting with Psalm 1, maybe James 4, maybe the book of Matthew…anything, even if it’s only a small amount at first. If the Word is dry to you as you read, stick with it in honor of God while asking him to freshen it and God will honor your discipline by making it alive again in due time. If you are spending consistent time in God’s Word already, commit to doing so more genuinely - before reading, bathe yourself in prayer; ask for wisdom, ask for revelation, ask for joy, ask for God to show you how to live out his Word in your current circumstances.

If you provided your information at Sunday’s service, know that you are being prayed for by fellow Berean Journeymen and will be contacted within the next week or so to see how you’re doing and help you get plugged-in. If you did not provide your information and want to, please do so on this website. If you are already plugged-in and serving and meeting with accountability partners, then examine your heart to ensure you are doing so with transparency and gladness, delighting in God and others as you do.

Guys, if we do these things in ever-increasing measure, emptying ourselves and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us…will our lives, our marriages, our families not be better off than they are today…will we not be satisfied by the Spirit’s fruit…will God not be glorified…

Last week was amazing, but today is not the end of experiencing something more, it is only the beginning…if we so choose.

I cannot think of a better illustration of how to live a Christ-centered life than the glow stick.

Just as a seed must die for life to come from it, a glow stick must be broken inside and shaken up for light to come from it.

In order to live a glow stick life, I must choose to be broken inside and shaken up; first choosing to agree with God that I have set up idols in my life which keep me from Him and acknowledging my need to be like Jesus so that I crush those idols at the foot of His Cross – the HUMILITY part – then shaking up my will by doing what He tells me when He tells me with a servant’s attitude until my every response is under the Holy Spirit’s control – the OBEDIENCE part.

Only then will I shine with Christ light – the glow stick life!



Get some glow sticks and put them where you see them often. Break one as often as you need to remind you of the work our Messiah is doing in you and live a glow stick life!

To the praise and glory of Jesus, Our Messiah!

See You at the Altar

Tom Culp

Good morning brothers!

Last nite’s Thirst time was a very humbling and profound experience for me. For some time now I have felt dry and distant from God, even in the midst of reading His Word, studying, worshiping and praying. I’ve just felt mechanical and empty. I have joy but I have not enjoyed Jesus. I long for a new way of living; fresh and alive, full of Jesus to overflowing, connected to His Body.

Last nite, when Ryan challenged us to really look at what we’ve substituted for God Himself, at our idols – those things we love more than God, evidenced by how we spend our thoughts, time and devotion – I realized that my biggest idol was not even on the list. Yea, some on the list like lust, our farm, technology, Bible knowledge, teaching ability, TV are on my list too but not on target.

My biggest idol is ME. My own God-given skill set and talents, my own independence and self-reliance, my goals; I am the idol I love more than God.

I suspect that this may be very true for most of us men, especially in today’s culture, in America land of the free and home of the brave. How wrong we are!

Writing these idols on my Thirst cup and going forward did not affect me greatly but as I passed the cross and looked up at the thorns atop it, my Jesus met me anew. I could not stand but broke down crying at His feet, crushing my cup and the idols written on it and handing myself to Him for His will to be done in and with me. Jesus met me at the foot of His cross, exactly where each of us should spend our thoughts, time and devotion. When I was able, I made my way back to my seat with Marilyn and we prayed together, not caring one bit that others saw my tears.

This morning, just as the temptations of the day’s tasks began to scream, demanding my attention, I read the following passage in 2 Chronicles 15: “Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet with (King) Asa and said to him, ‘Listen to me Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the LORD is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.’…Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abdominal idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephriam. He then restored the altar of the LORD which was in front of the porch of the LORD. And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephriam, Manasseh and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.”

Exactly what I needed to see at exactly the time I needed to see it – as I was seeking God’s face this morning in His Word – God let me find Him in His Living Word. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!!!!

So may it be with each of us: seek out our Living God and as He shows Himself to you, take courage and remove your idols from all your lands and gather those who reside with you so they can see that God is with you.

Amen!

See you at the altar!

Tom Culp

Without question this election will likely impact many things we know are important, from new Supreme Court justices to social policies to economic policies to our international influence, etc. so we must get out and vote.

I also encourage followers of Jesus not to get consumed by the election’s outcome. We’ve had many presidents come and go, making their various marks on history; but the mark that is of far greater consequence is the spiritual state of the people; the reliance and relationship of the people with God makes and will make a far greater impact on this country than one person ever will.

We live in a time when people of our country are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Maybe we ‘Christians’ even show signs of some of these characteristics; I know I have in my life.

Our focus and trust in these times must be on the Lord. Christians of today must rise up and join the saints of the past in true repentance, in fervent faithful prayer, in reaching out to the people, neighborhoods, and communities around us. The reason we find our country in such moral decay is not because of the overwhelming power of darkness; no, the reason for the decay is because the light Christ intended, his very body, has ceased to shine. Have we forgotten that light will always overcome darkness if it shines; are we not called to be that light?

Friends, this is a critical time but not because of the election; it’s a critical time because the spiritual war being waged is not being won, or hardly even fought, by God’s people. God has assigned each one of us to be part of his army in this time and place. Regardless of what the next president will do or what congress will do…what will we do? Will we continue to be self-focused and whine about the state of our country, will we cower in fear of the unknown if ‘our’ candidate is not chosen, or will we humble ourselves and repent and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways and reach out in love to others for Christ…if we do God has promised he will hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal our land.

Whose promises do you trust, a presidential candidate’s or God’s? Who is more likely to really change our country, a man or God? I choose God…and He is choosing us. May we all rise up in this time and place fore it is our time and our place; and may we be his hands and feet and fulfill our purpose. If we don’t…who will?

This whole week has been a long week needless to say for me. I have suffered from great oppression from Satan in my work and spiritual life. Oppression is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as: unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power; something that oppresses especially in being an unjust or excessive exercise of power; a sense of being weighed down in body or mind. Personally, I experienced all three of those definitions. As the people involved and the place at which these occurred are unimportant to the purpose of this letter. With that being said, to grasp the totality of the circumstances, there needs to be some explanation.

This week spiritually, my mind has been in a fog. I have had trouble centering on Christ in my thoughts. As difficult as this was, I did maintain and endured. This was also true for my daily reading of God’s living Word. This combination was one of my own faults thus allowing a entry for Satan’s stronghold in my life. Fortunately, I have brothers in Christ that were and are able to lift me up when I am down and offer guidance anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Earlier this week, I was faced with a situation involving one of moral turpitude, integrity and a criminal weight to the degree of a felony. I was put in a position by a person whom has a higher authority over me that was biblically and morally wrong. As I clearly knew this was wrong, I had to make a choice. I had to choose whether I was going to conform and please this person or if I was going to take a stance for what was right and honoring to God. I chose God.

One thing I have come to discover, that when God tells you to take a stand more than likely you are going to suffer some type of persecution. As with all things under Satan, he tried and used others to challenge me, belittle me, and scorn me. I continued my quest in prayer and regained my focus in God’s Word. Yesterday, I fasted for a 24 hour period seeking God’s face, guidance, voice, and mercy. However, I did not find those things of which I was searching.

Yesterday evening, I was reminded of Daniel and how he faced persecution many times and the Lord had delivered him by his faith. At the end of last evening, I handed it over to the Lord in faith. Today, the situation arose that was going to take place. This situation had circumstances that not only could have cost me employment, it could have had serious legal ramifications along with more importantly family and financial hardships.

I was beside myself and called my brother in Christ, in tears of frustration, and he was able to focus my attention on Christ and His sacrifice. The Lord also sent me a very dear friend and mentor who talked me through the situation and what to do should it occur. Both of these brothers were anointed with the Holy Spirit and are true godly men. Then the time came at which this situation was to occur and God delivered me. He gave me a way out.

The situation took place and those who were involved were foiled by God’s divine intervention. Through God’s just ways, he had mercy on them and did not allow the plan to happen as it was set to do and in the foiling of this plan, made these people look only more foolish to those whom they were trying to overcome.

The moral of this story is that I have learned a valuable lesson from God. First, He has taught me (again) that His timing and mine are not on the same level. Secondly, He taught me (again) that through faith in Christ, I can endure all things. Thirdly, He taught me (again) that seeking godly counsel in times of oppression and trials is always worthy. Lastly, He taught me (again) that even though I was scared and out of my comfort zone, that He is in total control of all things and can use all things (good or evil) to His glory.

I say “again” because when we are in trials and tribulations of life, our judgment can become cloudy and without the guidance of Christ we are blind. Jesus anointed brothers in my life that were able to life me up and guide me. If it wouldn’t have been for my submission to Christ and the obedience to His will, the outcome of today’s events could have proven detrimental for numerous individuals.

As this paramount incident has been foiled, I still have reaped some persecutions still. However, they are minuet to the power of Christ. I am sure that I will continue to be challenged for my convictions in this situation but I will stand firm and tall for the glory of my God shall prevail. I have faith in Christ and I know Him personally as my Savior and Deliverer. Without Christ, we are weak. With Christ, He can do all things through us!

I hope that this letter finds you well. I hope that it is clear and I apologize for being vague in the details however for the integrity of those involved and the place this incident occurred, I felt it best that these be omitted. May you be blessed this weekend in all that you do.


Grace and Peace in our Lord, Jesus Christ


Derrick F. Martin

And kneeling before him, they mocked him saying "Hail King of the Jews" Matt. 27:29

This was sent to me by Pastor Dan.

From: “Jesus Manifesto”- K. Roth
There has been a cry ringing in my heart over the past few weeks, “Tibet is not free! Tibet is not free!” I hear it on the television, look at the faces in the newspaper, read the stories on the blogs. “Tibet is not free! Tibet is not free!” And I know this much is true.

As a general rule, I am opposed to oppression of any kind. I can sympathize with the protestors around the world crying out against China’s oppression of the Tibetan people. I certainly prefer unanimous vocal outrage and creative interruptions to the alternatives of brute force. The voices ringing out now, the cameras focused on the situation, the stories being documented – this mass outcry against oppression was not around when Europeans were stealing the homeland of the native Americans, or shipping African slaves over to forcibly cultivate that land. “Tibet is not free! Tibet is not free!” It is a cry that can not, in good conscience, be ignored.

Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

There’s something about the plight of Tibetan Buddhists that tugs at the hearts and souls of people worldwide. The Dalai Lama is a highly regarded spiritual leader, the reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion come to serve the Tibetan people. He promotes peace, compassion, non-violence, tolerance and mutual respect, and he appears to live his life in this sphere. It is no wonder people are drawn to him, his religion, his politics and his people.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 (NIV)

However, there is a flip-side to Tibetan Buddhism. There is work involved, and peace comes with a price. The Tibetan people serve multiple deities, some of whom are full of vengeance. Their religious practices are in part, to appease the deities en route to obtaining enlightenment. Monks create intricately detailed mandalas to house deities and guide meditation. Followers walk the streets of Tibet endlessly spinning prayer wheels in an effort to gain the attention of the Buddha of Compassion. Tibetans perform physical rituals, such as stopping to bow every few steps, in an effort to relieve personal suffering. Street children, widows and crippled men line the streets

Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely acts for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition expresses the activity of Chenrezig. (Bokar Rinpoche)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Tibetans are enslaved in a religion where deities are feared and atonement comes through repetitive actions. “Tibet is not free! Tibet is not free!” Followers of Christ, on the other hand, were set free through acceptance of his sacrificial atonement on our behalf and granted the gifts of grace and peace and hope. Tibetans strive for alleviation of suffering. Christians learn to rejoice in their sufferings, or so we are told.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:1-11 (NIV)

Here’s where I get stuck.

Christians have been given the gift of true peace through a relationship with the Son of God. We do not have to do good works to earn our salvation, but through Christ’s sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to love other people with God’s love. When we fail to live up to the standard Christ demonstrated for our life, or when those around us mess up, there is still grace… grace that reminds us we are human… grace that reminds us we are loved… grace that picks us up, dusts us off, and encourages us to keep going. It truly is a wondrous faith.

Why, then, is it that the world is not enamored with faith in Christ?

Why is it that the world seems so taken by Tibetan Buddhism?

Why isn’t Christianity the religion of peace?

In the geopolitical sphere, the United States is the most powerful nation in the world. At 85% reported adherents, we have the largest national Christian population in the world. Yet our global reputation of arrogance greed and selfishness proceeds us. The United States represents herself as a Christian nation, and she is judged accordingly.

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. Ezekiel 16:49 (NIV)

Now, those of us who live in the United States know that many good and giving actions are undertaken by US Americans, and our government, both here and around the world. However, all of these good things are overshadowed in the eyes of many by negative actions and attitudes. We live in the most influential nation in the world, and 85% of us adhere to the teachings of Christ, yet we are unable to live out his principles on a local, national or global level.

“Tibet is not free! Tibet is not free!” I’m afraid, my friends, that neither are we. Our commitment to our national culture supersedes our commitment to our faith. We do not live in an oppressed nation. We do not serve an oppressive God. Yet we allow ourselves to complacently exist in a culture that focuses on self and satisfaction of personal desires.

We have to find ways to stop pursuing a cultural faith and start living the way of Christ.

The world is watching and, so far they are unimpressed.

IN GOD WE TRUST

When was the last time you actually thought about that statement that is printed on the back of all our currency? Do you realize that as a Christian, that one statement carries more value and more weight, than all the money in the entire world. Lets be honest with one another, most of us don't believe it, or even think about it. We are all guilty of putting idols in front of God, and for most of us, that idol is money. I read an article that 8 out of 10 people are stressed today because of the economy, and since the church mirrors most of the same attitudes and beliefs of mainstream society, that would mean that close to 80% who are receiving this email are also feeling stressed due to the economy. If we are stressed during these times, it is because we are putting our trust in the world, and material things, and not our God in heaven. It is times like these, that speak volumes about our faith. It is times like these that shine a bright light on our priorities and what we value. It is times like these that bring grown men to tears and to their knees.

This for the most of us is the first experience of anything like this that we have ever faced. Regions have suffered loss and downturns like this before, but this is worldwide. The things that the world has told us we could always trust in have lost just as much value as Hi-tech stocks did a few years ago. Today, Banks, Homes, Blue Chip Stocks, Mutual Funds, and 401K's are all losing significant value, while businesses are closing, homes are being foreclosed on, and unemployment and inflation are expected to skyrocket. By worlds standards it is no wonder that 80% of us are anxious and stressed. By world standards, I can't figure out why the other 20% aren't anxious and stressed. My biblical perspective though is that the 20% who are not stressed have put their trust and faith in something other than money. They may not all be Christians, but the point is, that the 20% do not place their hope in money.

God has warned us time and time again in his word, that we cannot serve other gods. God knows how it will destroy our relationship with him, along with many other things around us. How many problems in our world stem from the love of money? We put money before God, our wives, our children, our friends, our careers, and our values and morals. Has money come between you and any of these? If you are feeling anxious and stressed about the current economic downturn, then I think the word is clear, and your trust is in the wrong god.

So what can you do? How can you trust in God, and not money? Before we answer that question, I suggest you ask yourself, "How is trusting in money working out for me?" God tells us this in Jeremiah 10:4-5 "They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a melon patch their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good" Money can do no harm and no good according to God's word. Neither money, nor your work, nor your intelligence, nor your business success, nor your knowledge has done anything for you in your life. Every single thing in your life has been provided for by the grace of God.

According to Jesus the solution is simple, Matt 11:28-30 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

"Come to me..." - Christ tells us to come to him. He wants us back. We are important to him. Turn from the world, and follow him. Trust him.

"...all you who are weary and burdened..." doesn't it sound like he's speaking directly to us who are the 80% who are stressed and burdened?

"...I will give you rest..." Christ will bear our burden. He will give us rest. How many of us are up at night worrying about what to do? Christ wants to let us sleep, and he'll take care of it. Doesn't that sound like an incredible plan? If Warren Buffet came to any of you and said, let me handle this I can bail you out, wouldn't you jump at the chance? Yet with Christ when he states it, and can do more than any man, we do not turn it over to him.

"...learn from me..." Christ tells us to learn from him. How can we learn from him? There are so many great stories and lessons in the world that would comfort and give us peace if we would only take time to read them. Read some of the old testament stories of how God delivered the Israelites time and time again. Read the parable and stories that Jesus told of providing for those in need. He put those stories there for us so that we would know him, and his character, and how much he loves us and will take care of us. His word is true and he's made many promises to us, if we would only read them, and trust him at his word.

"...I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Christ will be gentle with us if we turn to him. He will guide us in a humble way.

Here are some simple steps that would get you on the right path, but the key is this are not the solutions, only Christ is the solution. These are just steps to get you in the right direction and a right relationship with Christ.

1. Get on your knees and ask Christ for help. Let him know your way is not working and you need him to carry your burdens.
2. Repent for putting idols and money before God.
3. Get plugged in with others: Monday Night Men's Group, Sunday Schools, Prayer services, Men's Sunday School Class... etc..There are so many to choose from.
4. When you get plugged in reach out to others guys and let them know your struggles. Reality is that 8 out of 10 you ask are going through something similar. Going through struggles is easier with another guy or two, as the bible says when one falls down, the other can help you up.

I would encourage you to share this message with anyone you know who is struggling or stressed during these economic times.

In God We Trust


See You at the Altar,


Tim

Like many of you I’ve been reading Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and it seems every page resonates with me, presenting both a void and opportunity for us at Berean. If gut-wrenching prayers, if soul-baring calling out to God, if pleading for the Holy Spirit’s power shows any sign of gain, any spec of benefit whatsoever…emotional, spiritual or physical…should we not do so and all the more? Yet it seems the prayers of the saints are so faded, especially from us men. Why is this?

Do we feel prayer isn’t needed?
Drug problems common in small town USA, teenage pregnancy is an epidemic, pornography a multi-billion dollar industry, over 1 million unborn children murdered by their mothers each year, Christian marriages falling apart, kids using crystal meth and prescription drugs, children cutting themselves, child sex slave trade an all-time high, issues at work, issues at home, distance from God, etc, etc, etc...

Though we live in a relative Disneyland called the United States which makes us complacent, certainly we recognize the need here and now.


Do we feel prayer isn’t important to God?
The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him…May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice... Jesus was praying in a certain place…My house will be called a house of prayer


Do we feel prayer isn’t powerful?
The Lord answered his prayer…After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land…I have heard your prayer…God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place…So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer…The Lord has heard my cry for mercy, the Lord accepts my prayer…

Let there be no misunderstanding as scripture is clear, God answers prayers; sometimes we just misunderstand His answers.


Do we feel too far from God to pray?
Repent. If you don’t feel like it, get on your knees and repent for not feeling like it. He will forgive you; and you will find the channel of communication opened once again.

The following was taken from the book:

So You Call Yourself A MAN? Sixty Devotional Readings
T.D. Jakes

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy… for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (Revelation 5:9)

The church that I pastor is multiracial and multicultural. I believe that is part of God’s plan for reconciliation in these last days. I don’t believe you can have multiplication if you only have duplications of like elements. Multiplication is born of reconciliation among those with differences.

God loves a multiplicity of people and He blesses people in multiplicity of ways. We must be willing to accept the different ways in which people receive blessings and then thank God for them. We must be willing to accept different ways of worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ – one may dance, another may bow, yet another may stand and shout. He is One Lord, but He has created many people.

We must never bring people to Christ and then insist to them, “Now, be just like me.” We need massive diversity in programming, in our praise, in the expression of our spiritual gifts. In the church, we have divided ourselves in just about as many ways we can be divided. We have divided ourselves by denomination… means of baptism… timetables related to the tribulation… types of services… and meanings for communion. It’s time we recognize that the Lord meant what He said when He inspired Paul to write:

“For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakes of that one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17).

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6).

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

Fads come and go in the church, just as they come and go in society. Prophecy is big right now – people are all looking for the “prophetic word.” Some only want to go to services that are labeled “healing services.” This one will lay hands on the sick, that one will call out diseases, another one might throw holy water on those with sickness. The methods and fads don’t matter. We serve One Lord. He is faithful to remain the same yesterday, today, and forever. He works through a multiplicity of ways and through all manner of gifts.

It is only when we feel truly free to be ourselves, however, that we allow other people to be truly free to be themselves. The person who enjoys the unique ways in which God has created him, is a person who is likely to appreciate and enjoy the unique way in which God has created others.

Our goal is to preach, teach and experience truth – not culture. There’s more than one way to skin a cat. There’s more than one way to bake a cake. There’s more than one way to praise the Lord! It not just Satan who has bound God’s people in their praise. We have bound each other in order to promote our own causes, agendas, and preferred styles.

You may not like the way another person expresses his faith in Christ. You may not agree with it fully or choose to adopt is as your means of expression. But you must value his right to express his faith in Christ the way he believes the Lord is leading him to express it. And don’t waste your time criticizing him and become a prisoner in your own mind… heart…emotions!

There are any ways to praise the Lord. A person might dance, walk, stand with his arms raised, fall on his knees, lie flat on his face before God. He might sing, shout, talk, cry, laugh. What’s important is that a man find a way to open up and express himself to the Lord. There’s no “right” position or “right” form of expression for praise - the only thing that must be right before God is a man’s heart, humbled to praise Him from the depths of his emotions. When the world sees Christian men dropping their differences and coming together, the world is going to want what Christians have.

Politicians, educators, economists, scientists, and corporations – they have all tried unsuccessfully to bring the world together and to bridge the gaps that divide nation from nation, tribe from tribe, people from people. But only God can build that bridge. And the good news is that God does build that bridge by His outpoured Holy Spirit.

True Pentecost comes when devout men come together from every nation under the one anointing of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of their backgrounds… races… cultures… and denominations. You cannot have a genuine Pentecost outpouring of God’s power in the presence of segregation, alienation, or separation among Gods people.

When the world sees Christian men coming together under one anointing, it is going to run to our upper room to hear the Gospel. Yes, indeed, When we are loosed in our hearts of all prejudice… loosed from our emotional bondage… loosed in our praise and worship… an loosed in our ability to love others as God loves them… the world will begin to turn to Christ for forgiveness, deliverance, and healing. It will run to the cross. Loose that man side you - and let him be free in Christ Jesus!

There once was a man with three sons Leo, Sardi, and Phil who lived relatively comfortable lives and for the most part felt pretty satisfied about things.

Growing up their dad had loved them, taught them the basics and gave them adequate opportunities for success. The sons eventually went off and developed a fairly good life in a decent town with their wife, kids and a roof over their heads.

Just about every Sunday you could find them attending the morning church services and they were usually glad they went. The Pastor’s message would resonate at some level with each of them in a different way, but it would often fade away sometime between lunch and dinner that day, especially for Leo and Sardi.

Leo, he was a man who liked to wear sharp, pressed suits and silk ties on Sunday mornings. Primarily because He liked to feel the admiring eyes follow him across the room, which they often did. He usually stood by his dad in church with pride, but left soon after the service. On a typical weekend, Leo would spend most of his time between taking the boat out on the lake, enhancing the landscaping around the house and watching TV. He put in his dues at the office during the week with little time for much else and was well respected by his colleagues for his dedication to succeed. It’s not like he drove a Lexus, but one would be hard-pressed to catch him in a car over 5 years old either. Sure, difficulties popped up from time-to-time, but Leo usually pushed through them, with only a few casualties. From time-to-time he would call on his dad to bail him out of trouble, but overall Leo was a man’s man and could take care of things himself; life was pretty darn good.

Well now Sardi, he never quite had the drive that Leo possessed. He had a decent job and faithfully put in his 40-45 hours at the office but didn’t feel compelled to move up the ladder. He was content cracking jokes around the coffee dispenser. Most days after 5 o’clock, it was his time; his time to decompress; his time to click on the tube and crack open a cold one; he had no beef checking out the Victoria’s Secret catalog when no one was around, after all it was OK to look if he didn’t touch, right? Just about every weekend, Sardi liked to take off and do things with the guys despite his wife’s requests for more family time or his dad’s insistence to do something together. Periodically he would go to a church function with his wife to ‘show face’ but really didn’t want to be there. Any time his dad was there, Sardi would be sure that others saw him showering his dad with praises, as that was the ‘Christian’ thing to do and others seemed to think highly of his dad. Sardi was always relieved when it was time to leave though. Most people thought Sardi was a pretty nice guy and for the most part Sardi was pretty happy.

Phil did alright too. His job wasn’t the greatest but he knew it paid the bills and provided for his family and he was grateful for that. Phil had quite a few sincere friends at work and many would come to him when they needed help or were just looking for someone who would listen. Work was alright, but he really looked forward to coming home to his wife and playing with the kids. There was just something about that that he loved so much. He loved to just be with them in the same way his dad had done with him. Phil took time to tell his kids stories about how much their Grandpa loved their Daddy very much too and found teachable moments to share all the lessons he had been taught. Phil loved his dad and talked with him often. He often thanked his dad for all he had done for him over the years and Phil leaned on him pretty heavily when difficult times arose. His dad was always there when he needed him; Phil appreciated that so much. Some evenings and weekends Phil would help his dad with special projects or odd jobs that needed to be done. Even though there were times he went begrudgingly, there was not one time when he didn’t come home feeling utterly filled and truly glad he went.

One Sunday night while the boys were asleep, the rattle of a phone shook them awake and the voice on the other end of the line yelled “WAKE UP!” Unexpectedly, their dad was suddenly fading away and didn’t have much time left; the end was near. They all rushed out the door and headed towards their dad’s house. Each arrived to find their dad lying motionless in his bed.

Leo entered and stood strong at the foot of the bed with clenched teeth. Sardi made his way over to the nurse in the corner and was telling her about how great his dad was. Phil went straight over to his dad with tears streaming down his cheeks and sat beside him, gently stroking his dad’s brow.

Over the next half hour, their dad’s breathing became slower and slower and the moments of his chest raising with air became farther and farther apart. A long, slow exhale then escaped his lips and the brother’s all felt the lumps in their throats expand as their heads sank. Then with a sudden, raspy gasp, their dad lifted his head and opened his eyes. He scanned the room, his gaze stopping briefly at each boy. Then in a loud booming voice, like one they had never heard nor even known before, he addressed each one by name.

“Leo, you have become successful in the eyes of the world and think you have all you need for happiness. But I say to you, you are wretched, pitiful, poor and blind. You have wasted your life on things that mean nothing; for the things held high in this world are worthless in the life to come, which you will endure forever. You must be earnest and change, starting this very moment in time. Know that I always loved you, even when I disciplined you. Remember my teachings and all that is promised…then overcome. If you do, your rewards will be greater than anything you have experienced or can experience in this brief lifetime.”

“Sardi, to others you act as if you love me, but your acts prove you do not. You pretend to be alive, but you are dead. Do you think the motives of your heart are not known? Do you think your deeds are not seen? I know your deeds and a day will come when they will be revealed for all to see. Know that I have always loved you and taught you all you need to know. If there is anything you received from me that remains, strengthen it, obey it, and change, starting this very moment in time. If you do not change, your very breath will be stolen from you when you least expect it and you will not get it back.”

“Phil, my dearest Phil, I know your deeds and they have blessed me. I know that despite the difficulties in your life, you have kept my words near to your heart and turned towards me. I know that you loved me and you know I have always loved you. I tell you the truth, one day your brothers will fall at your feet in awe of the love we shared; they will weep as their eyes are opened and they see all we shared and all they missed. A time is coming when the whole world will experience an hour of trial, but since you have endured patiently, you will be kept safe. You will receive my blessings for all time.”

His eyes fluttered closed and his head softly lowered back to the pillow. And with the breath that would be his very last, he exhaled his final words “He who has an ear, let him hear.”

Friends, may we all hear the pleading of the Spirit in our lives; may we all know the urgency of our times; may we all see the repercussions of not changing; may we all embrace the vision to get back to basics and understand why we must.

During her betrothal, the bride spent time studying what she needed to know to be a good wife and preparing for her new role in life. Part of this preparation was called Teshuva or repentance (Returning in the Hebrew).

This month, beginning at sundown today, is Elul which is a time to search one's heart and draw close to God in preparation for the coming Yom Teruah (Day of Judgment) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Jesus entered the wilderness on Elul 1 in preparation for His earthly ministry. As we enter this new month, we, the Bride of Christ, can prepare ourselves for His coming by studying The Scriptures that refer to His coming. Here’s what we should be about this month:

· Avoid bad company

· Stop sinning

· Witness to what Jesus has done in our life

· Stand firm

· Give myself to the work of the Lord

· Commit to God

· Memorize the Word

· Do not grieve for believers who have fallen asleep

· Comfort one another with these words

· Let us not sleep but be alert and sober

· Put on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet, the hope of salvation

· Encourage one another; build up one another

· Appreciate those who diligently labor among us, having charge over us in the Lord and give us instruction – esteem them highly in love because of their work

· Live in peace with one another

· Admonish the undisciplined, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men

· See that no one repays another with evil for evil but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men

· Rejoice always

· Pray without ceasing

· In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

· Do not quench the Spirit

· Do not despise prophetic gifts

· Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good

· Abstain from every form of evil

· Always give thanks to God for our brethren beloved by the Lord

· Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught

· Pray the Word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified; that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men

· Keep aloof from every brother who leads and unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us

· Keep working night and day so that we are not a burden to anyone

· Work in a quiet fashion; eat our own bread

· Do not grow weary of doing good

· Faith – believe that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him

· Gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix our hope completely on the grace of Jesus

· Do not be conformed to our former lusts; be holy ourselves in all our behavior; “Be holy as I am holy!”

· Put aside all malice, all guile, all hypocrisy, all envy and all slander

· Long for the pure spiritual milk of the Word, that by It you may grow up to salvation

· Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence

· Keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame

· Be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer

· Keep fervent in your love for one another

· Be hospitable to one another without complaint

· Employ your gifts in serving one another

· No one who abides in Jesus sins

· Let no one deceive you, the one who practices righteousness is righteous

· We should love one another

· Remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

· Build yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit

· Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life

· Have mercy on some who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire and on some have mercy with fear

· Remember therefore from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first

· Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Be faithful until death

· Hold fast My Name; do not deny My faith; do not tolerate false beliefs

· Repent of immorality; Hold fast until He comes; Judge sin in the church

· Be alert; Be ready; Be watchful; Overcome and be clothed in white garments

· Be faithful; Hold fast

· Be zealous; Repent; Open the door

· Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you

· The LORD our God is one LORD and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength and you shall love your neighbor as yourself

· By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored