A message from the band dc Talk:
"You have heard it said unto you...but I say unto you..."
From the beginnings of His public ministry, Jesus set the record straight: "I have come to change the world." He had come to change people's thinking. He had come to revolutionize their paradigm–the way they saw the world and had comfortably settled into it, following their own desires, ignoring those around them who needed help, and figuring that was the way to do it because everyone else was doing pretty much the same thing, and they fit in with that.
Then came Jesus. "You have heard it said...but I say unto you..."
We often think we have arrived spiritually because we have memorized a bunch of rules and regulations, or a list of do's and don't's , and built them into our culture and lifestyle. If you just wear your Christian T-shirt once a week, make sure your radio is always tuned to the local Christian music station, don't do drugs or drink, go to church on Sundays and Bible study one night a week, take part in the summer missions trip, and don't have sex until you are married, then you are a real witness to those around you.
But Jesus came and shattered man's perception of the world. He taught about a kingdom that was more powerful than man could ever comprehend. This kingdom, however, didn't always make common sense. He taught that the kingdom of heaven is more than clothes music, Bible studies, and what you do on the outside. The kingdom of heaven is spiritual. The kingdom of heaven is peace. The kingdom of heaven is the narrow road of following Jesus day by day. You can't be like everyone else and follow Him. His sheep hear His voice and chase after Him; they don't just roam with the rest of the herd and think that is going to save them.
The path He has for you is very different, very special; it is unique in all of human kind. He came to change the world. How can those who truly follow Him have any less of a goal in life?
Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, but He also came to afflict the comfortable.
Throughout history true followers of Christ have been revolutionaries. As the trends of society have been dictated by the herd mentality, these men and women of God have stood up and said, "Hey wait a minute. That's not right!" They reached out their hands to people the rest of the world walked by without a glance, they spoke out when shutting up may have saved their lives, they distributed Bibles when others were passing out ammunition, they took God places others called "God-forsaken", they picked up their crosses and followed Christ when others cried "Lord, Lord" but did nothing. And for this they were called "Freaks".
People often look up to us because we are in the public eye, but the people in this book are the true heros. They are the ones people should look up to.
The freedoms we have today to own a bible, believe what seems right to us, go to the church we want, and follow God as completely as we want are all because to the Jesus Freaks who came before us. If only we had yet done enough to earn such an honored title among the rest of these "Freaks".
Proverbs 1:32 NIV tells us "the complacency of fools will destroy them." Are we too comfortable in our lifestyles to truly be following Christ?...
...We hear the word martyr a lot these days. People who feel sorry for themselves because others have been inconsiderate to them are said to be "playing the martyr" to get the attention of their friends. People are called "martyrs" on the evening news because they have suffered even slightly for some cause. People use the word as a political tool to try to spark a revolution and conform others to their way of thinking. They try to manipulate others with this word to get what they want.
All true martyrs are revolutionaries, but not all revolutionaries are true martyrs.
Those who rise up and kill themselves to kill others are not martyrs at all. They have lost sight of the truth and have been sucked into a lie. They have never experienced the true power of love. The kind of love God is. The love that cannot be defeated, though you beat it, you torture it, or you shoot it with guns or stab it with knives. They try to accomplish their goals through fear and intimidation. They do not understand that true martyrdom is being a witness for the Truth. It is not defined simply by dying for some cause; it is defined by living for the freedom of others. Freedom from fear. Freedom from prejudice and persecution. Freedom from hatred, bitterness, and jealousy. Freedom to be forgiven and to forgive.
Martyrs die because they refuse to deny the Truth, they are unwilling to force their ways upon others, and they are unwilling to fight back when fighting back would deny the Love they are trying to show those hurting them. This is how martyrdom changes things: It stands up as a witness of the One who is Truth and Love, and the One who is Truth and Love can do little else but stand up and stand with His presence. And His presence changes things.
These are the true revolutionaries that have existed throughout history, starting at the Cross. These are the great cloud of martyrs–witnesses–that are seated in heaven watching the revolution for true freedom–spiritual freedom–rage on the earth. It is a revolution of words and hearts and helping hands. It is a revolution that turns the world upside right and lets God touch the heart with His love wherever the revolutionaries go, whether it be across the street, across the ocean, into a prison cell, or to the grave. These are the revolutionaries who were not willing to set aside the Truth for the convenience of being accepted or the privilege of living only by their own desires. These are the revolutionaries who fight for the spiritual freedom that is only found in Jesus and unwilling to let that freedom go for anything.
We have much to learn from such revolutionaries. We also have much to carry on for them–much to carry on for Him.*
Excerpt from Jesus Freaks Volume 2 by dc Talk and the Voice of the Martyrs
What Would Jesus Do?
Whitney
"The Dragon" 7-15-08
The Dragon
There was once a great and noble King whose land was terrorized by a crafty dragon. Like a massive bird of prey, the scaly beast delighted in ravaging villages with his fiery breath. Hapless victims ran from their burning homes, only to be snatched into the dragon's jaws or talons. Those devoured instantly were deemed more fortunate than those carried back to the dragon's lair to be devoured at his leisure. The King led his sons and knights in many valiant battles against the dragon.
Riding alone in the forest, one of the King's sons heard his name purred low and soft. In the shadows of the ferns and trees, curled among the boulders, lay the dragon. The creature's heavy-lidded eyes fastened on the prince, and the reptilian mouth stretched into a friendly smile.
"Don't be alarmed," said the dragon, as gray wisps of smoke rose lazily from his nostrils.
"I am not what your father thinks."
"What are you, then?" asked the prince, warily drawing his sword as he pulled in the reins to keep his fearful horse from bolting.
"I am pleasure," said the dragon. "Ride on my back and you will experience more than you ever imagined. Come now. I have no harmful intentions. I seek a friend, someone to share flights with me. Have you never dreamed of flying? Never longed to soar in the clouds?"
Visions of soaring high above the forested hills drew the prince hesitantly from his horse. The dragon unfurled one great webbed wing to serve as a ramp to his ridged back. Between the spiny projections, the prince found a secure seat. Then the creature snapped his powerful wings twice and launched them into the sky. The prince's apprehension melted into awe and exhilaration.
From then on, he met the dragon often, but secretly, for how could he tell his father, brothers or the knights that he had befriended the enemy? The prince felt separate from them all. Their concerns were no longer his concerns. Even when he wasn't with the dragon, he spent less time with those he loved and more time alone.
The skin on the prince's legs became calloused from gripping the ridged back of the dragon, and his hands grew rough and hardened. He began wearing gloves to hide the malady. After many nights of riding, he discovered scales growing on the backs of his hands as well. With dread he realized his fate were he to continue, and so he resolved to return no more to the dragon.
But, after a fortnight, he again sought out the dragon, having been tormented with desire. And so it transpired many times over. No matter what his determination, the prince eventually found himself pulled back, as if by the cords of an invisible web. Silently, patiently, the dragon always waited.
One cold, moonless night their excursion became a foray against a sleeping village. Torching the thatched roofs with fiery blasts from his nostrils, the dragon roared with delight when the terrified victims fled from their burning homes. Swooping in, the serpent belched again and flames engulfed a cluster of screaming villages. The prince closed his eyes tightly in an attempt to shut out the carnage.
In the pre dawn hours, when the prince crept back from his dragon trysts, the road outside his father's castle usually remained empty. But not tonight. Terrified refugees streamed into the protective walls of the castle. The prince attempted to slip through the crowd to close himself in his chambers, but some of the survivors stared and pointed toward him.
"He was there," one woman cried out, "I saw him on the back of the dragon." Others nodded their heads in angry agreement. Horrified, the prince saw that his father, the King, was in the courtyard holding a bleeding child in his arms. The King's face mirrored the agony of his people as his eyes found the prince's. The son fled, hoping to escape into the night, but the guards apprehended him as if he were a common thief. They brought him to the great hall where his father sat solemnly on the throne. The people on every side railed against the prince.
"Banish him!" he heard one of his own brothers angrily cry out.
"Burn him alive!" other voices shouted.
As the king rose from his throne, bloodstains from the wounded shone darkly on his royal robes. The crowd fell silent in expectation of his decree. The prince, who could not bear to look into his father's face, stared at the flagstones of the floor.
"Take off your gloves and your tunic," the King commanded. The prince obeyed slowly, dreading to have his metamorphosis uncovered before the kingdom. Was his shame not already enough? He had hoped for a quick death without further humiliation. Sounds of revulsion rippled through the crowd at the sight of the prince's thick, scaled skin and the ridge growing along his spine.
The king strode toward his son, and the prince steeled himself, fully expecting a back handed blow even though he had never been struck so by his father.
Instead, his father embraced him and wept as he held him tightly. In shocked disbelief, the prince buried his face against his father's shoulder.
"Do you wish to be freed from the dragon, my son?"
The prince answered in despair, "I wished it many times, but there is no hope for me."
"Not alone," said the King. "You cannot win against the dragon alone."
"Father, I am no longer your son. I am half beast," sobbed the prince.
But his father replied, "My blood runs in your veins. My nobility has always been stamped deep within your soul."
With his face still hidden tearfully in his father's embrace, the prince heard the King instruct the crowd, "The dragon is crafty. Some fall victim to his wiles and some to his violence. There will be mercy for all who wish to be freed. Who else among you has ridden the dragon?"
The prince lifted his head to see someone emerge from the crowd. To his amazement, he recognized an older brother, one who had been lauded throughout the kingdom for his onslaughts against the dragon in battle and for his many good deeds. Others came, some weeping, others hanging their heads in shame.
The King embraced them all.
"This is our most powerful weapon against the dragon," he announced. "Truth. No more hidden flights. Alone we cannot resist him. Together we can overcome him."
Melinda Reinicke, Parables for Personal Growth (San Diego, CA: Recovery Publications, Inc., 1993), pp. 5-9.
Riding alone in the forest, one of the King's sons heard his name purred low and soft. In the shadows of the ferns and trees, curled among the boulders, lay the dragon. The creature's heavy-lidded eyes fastened on the prince, and the reptilian mouth stretched into a friendly smile.
"Don't be alarmed," said the dragon, as gray wisps of smoke rose lazily from his nostrils.
"I am not what your father thinks."
"What are you, then?" asked the prince, warily drawing his sword as he pulled in the reins to keep his fearful horse from bolting.
"I am pleasure," said the dragon. "Ride on my back and you will experience more than you ever imagined. Come now. I have no harmful intentions. I seek a friend, someone to share flights with me. Have you never dreamed of flying? Never longed to soar in the clouds?"
Visions of soaring high above the forested hills drew the prince hesitantly from his horse. The dragon unfurled one great webbed wing to serve as a ramp to his ridged back. Between the spiny projections, the prince found a secure seat. Then the creature snapped his powerful wings twice and launched them into the sky. The prince's apprehension melted into awe and exhilaration.
From then on, he met the dragon often, but secretly, for how could he tell his father, brothers or the knights that he had befriended the enemy? The prince felt separate from them all. Their concerns were no longer his concerns. Even when he wasn't with the dragon, he spent less time with those he loved and more time alone.
The skin on the prince's legs became calloused from gripping the ridged back of the dragon, and his hands grew rough and hardened. He began wearing gloves to hide the malady. After many nights of riding, he discovered scales growing on the backs of his hands as well. With dread he realized his fate were he to continue, and so he resolved to return no more to the dragon.
But, after a fortnight, he again sought out the dragon, having been tormented with desire. And so it transpired many times over. No matter what his determination, the prince eventually found himself pulled back, as if by the cords of an invisible web. Silently, patiently, the dragon always waited.
One cold, moonless night their excursion became a foray against a sleeping village. Torching the thatched roofs with fiery blasts from his nostrils, the dragon roared with delight when the terrified victims fled from their burning homes. Swooping in, the serpent belched again and flames engulfed a cluster of screaming villages. The prince closed his eyes tightly in an attempt to shut out the carnage.
In the pre dawn hours, when the prince crept back from his dragon trysts, the road outside his father's castle usually remained empty. But not tonight. Terrified refugees streamed into the protective walls of the castle. The prince attempted to slip through the crowd to close himself in his chambers, but some of the survivors stared and pointed toward him.
"He was there," one woman cried out, "I saw him on the back of the dragon." Others nodded their heads in angry agreement. Horrified, the prince saw that his father, the King, was in the courtyard holding a bleeding child in his arms. The King's face mirrored the agony of his people as his eyes found the prince's. The son fled, hoping to escape into the night, but the guards apprehended him as if he were a common thief. They brought him to the great hall where his father sat solemnly on the throne. The people on every side railed against the prince.
"Banish him!" he heard one of his own brothers angrily cry out.
"Burn him alive!" other voices shouted.
As the king rose from his throne, bloodstains from the wounded shone darkly on his royal robes. The crowd fell silent in expectation of his decree. The prince, who could not bear to look into his father's face, stared at the flagstones of the floor.
"Take off your gloves and your tunic," the King commanded. The prince obeyed slowly, dreading to have his metamorphosis uncovered before the kingdom. Was his shame not already enough? He had hoped for a quick death without further humiliation. Sounds of revulsion rippled through the crowd at the sight of the prince's thick, scaled skin and the ridge growing along his spine.
The king strode toward his son, and the prince steeled himself, fully expecting a back handed blow even though he had never been struck so by his father.
Instead, his father embraced him and wept as he held him tightly. In shocked disbelief, the prince buried his face against his father's shoulder.
"Do you wish to be freed from the dragon, my son?"
The prince answered in despair, "I wished it many times, but there is no hope for me."
"Not alone," said the King. "You cannot win against the dragon alone."
"Father, I am no longer your son. I am half beast," sobbed the prince.
But his father replied, "My blood runs in your veins. My nobility has always been stamped deep within your soul."
With his face still hidden tearfully in his father's embrace, the prince heard the King instruct the crowd, "The dragon is crafty. Some fall victim to his wiles and some to his violence. There will be mercy for all who wish to be freed. Who else among you has ridden the dragon?"
The prince lifted his head to see someone emerge from the crowd. To his amazement, he recognized an older brother, one who had been lauded throughout the kingdom for his onslaughts against the dragon in battle and for his many good deeds. Others came, some weeping, others hanging their heads in shame.
The King embraced them all.
"This is our most powerful weapon against the dragon," he announced. "Truth. No more hidden flights. Alone we cannot resist him. Together we can overcome him."
Melinda Reinicke, Parables for Personal Growth (San Diego, CA: Recovery Publications, Inc., 1993), pp. 5-9.
Two are better than one, for they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Blessings,
Andrew
Our Daily Bread: "Answer the Call" 5-16-08
Hello Everyone
In light of "Testimonial Tuesdays", and of tying in "Jesus Man", I wish to share with you an experience I had some time ago. I was friends with a young lady who was not a Christian, and was going through some tough times. I was a sophomore at the time.
I will never forget this day, but I was sitting on the bus ride home, she in front of me. We were talking about all kinds of things, getting along real good.
Suddenly the Lord began to tug on my heart. "Speak to her, tell her about me."
But I ignored the feeling, figuring it would go away. You know the true feeling though? I was afraid.
Afraid of what? You might ask. Afraid of what she might think of me, or say, afraid to lose that friendship? Probably. Stupid you might think.
In reality we face similar circumstances all the time. Let me tell you, if you feel the Lord tugging you at the heart, you don't ignore Him. You do as He says.
I didn't. I let her go, and now she has moved away. I haven't seen her since.
And I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I vowed then to learn to become bolder in my faith. Because Andrew is right. Why seek the approval of man, when man will one day disappear? All of this on earth shall pass away, while Heaven is forever. Why when we are going to Heaven to live forever with Him? And when you arrive in Heaven, at the Bema seat of Christ, and you are asked the question of what you did. "Did you witness and tell others the good news? How many did you lead to Me?" And then we are left with the remembrance of not having done the simple favor God asked of us. Let that sink in.
Witnessing is not to gain more favor than anyone else, nor must we think it is simply the more you get the better. This is not a game folks; these are souls, lives at stake. It's either don't tell them, and leave then in the hands of the Devil forever, or give them the opportunity to live forever in Paradise. God gave us the ability to chose. So let us choose wisely.
The next time He calls you, Answer Him.*
19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Answering the call,
Whitney
In light of "Testimonial Tuesdays", and of tying in "Jesus Man", I wish to share with you an experience I had some time ago. I was friends with a young lady who was not a Christian, and was going through some tough times. I was a sophomore at the time.
I will never forget this day, but I was sitting on the bus ride home, she in front of me. We were talking about all kinds of things, getting along real good.
Suddenly the Lord began to tug on my heart. "Speak to her, tell her about me."
But I ignored the feeling, figuring it would go away. You know the true feeling though? I was afraid.
Afraid of what? You might ask. Afraid of what she might think of me, or say, afraid to lose that friendship? Probably. Stupid you might think.
In reality we face similar circumstances all the time. Let me tell you, if you feel the Lord tugging you at the heart, you don't ignore Him. You do as He says.
I didn't. I let her go, and now she has moved away. I haven't seen her since.
And I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I vowed then to learn to become bolder in my faith. Because Andrew is right. Why seek the approval of man, when man will one day disappear? All of this on earth shall pass away, while Heaven is forever. Why when we are going to Heaven to live forever with Him? And when you arrive in Heaven, at the Bema seat of Christ, and you are asked the question of what you did. "Did you witness and tell others the good news? How many did you lead to Me?" And then we are left with the remembrance of not having done the simple favor God asked of us. Let that sink in.
Witnessing is not to gain more favor than anyone else, nor must we think it is simply the more you get the better. This is not a game folks; these are souls, lives at stake. It's either don't tell them, and leave then in the hands of the Devil forever, or give them the opportunity to live forever in Paradise. God gave us the ability to chose. So let us choose wisely.
The next time He calls you, Answer Him.*
19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Answering the call,
Whitney
Our Daily Bread: "The Jesus Man" 5-15-08
Hello everyone!
Just recently, I took a trip to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, and it was a very enjoyable experience all around. But there was one thing in particular that stood out to me, which in fact had nothing to do with Shakespeare whatsoever. It was a single man, dubbed the "Jesus Man" by our party, standing in the outdoor festival center with a sign proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord, He is the Son of God, Put your trust in Him, Believe and have faith." He said nothing (perhaps to avoid arrest under the pretense of disturbing the peace); he simply held his sign for all to see, despite peoples' judgmental glances and condemning remarks.
This took courage. To endure the remarks which he must have known were directed at him, to press on despite the judgmental glances, was no small feat. Even people in my own group criticized this man for what he was doing. "He could be doing more for his beliefs than holding a stupid sign," they said. As I looked back on it, I myself wondered if there wasn't something a little more proactive that the Jesus Man could have been doing to share the Gospel; but then I realized that if God had planted it in this man's heart to do what he did, there is no telling whose hearts may have been forever changed by this one single incident.
I myself have been effected by the Jesus Man's boldness. Listening and seeing the peoples' responses to his act of proclaiming the Gospel, I have been challenged in my own faith to the kind of fearlessness we are called to. This man did not seek the approval of men; he sought the approval of God, and in so doing, who knows how many people he has silently affected? He has had a deep impact upon me, and I hope he will have the same impact upon you all as well.
Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. (John 12:42-43 NASB)
Is fear holding you back from proclaiming the Gospel? Do you seek the approval of men rather than the approval of God? Even if we speak the Truth in love, the simple fact that we are speaking the Truth of Christ will offend some, and they will look down upon us; they will speak ill of us; they will condemn us. But let me tell you this: we cannot let the fear of men keep us from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the hurting, seeking, and lost people who need to hear it most. If we keep quiet for fear of not being accepted, none will hear or believe; but if we boldly speak the truth in love, some will believe and repent, to the glory of God.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:35-38 ESV)
Some will believe and repent; some will remain in sin and look down upon us. Some will respond to the Truth; some will criticize us for our boldness. Such is the nature of the world; we must learn to love them all regardless. But just as the Jesus Man did, we cannot let the fear of men hinder us from sharing the truth of God. Accept the fact that people will persecute us for speaking the truth, for doing what we know is right, and press on regardless, sharing the Gospel of reconciliation in Christ to those who are crying out to hear it.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:10-12 ESV)
Blessings,
Andrew
Just recently, I took a trip to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, and it was a very enjoyable experience all around. But there was one thing in particular that stood out to me, which in fact had nothing to do with Shakespeare whatsoever. It was a single man, dubbed the "Jesus Man" by our party, standing in the outdoor festival center with a sign proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord, He is the Son of God, Put your trust in Him, Believe and have faith." He said nothing (perhaps to avoid arrest under the pretense of disturbing the peace); he simply held his sign for all to see, despite peoples' judgmental glances and condemning remarks.
This took courage. To endure the remarks which he must have known were directed at him, to press on despite the judgmental glances, was no small feat. Even people in my own group criticized this man for what he was doing. "He could be doing more for his beliefs than holding a stupid sign," they said. As I looked back on it, I myself wondered if there wasn't something a little more proactive that the Jesus Man could have been doing to share the Gospel; but then I realized that if God had planted it in this man's heart to do what he did, there is no telling whose hearts may have been forever changed by this one single incident.
I myself have been effected by the Jesus Man's boldness. Listening and seeing the peoples' responses to his act of proclaiming the Gospel, I have been challenged in my own faith to the kind of fearlessness we are called to. This man did not seek the approval of men; he sought the approval of God, and in so doing, who knows how many people he has silently affected? He has had a deep impact upon me, and I hope he will have the same impact upon you all as well.
Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. (John 12:42-43 NASB)
Is fear holding you back from proclaiming the Gospel? Do you seek the approval of men rather than the approval of God? Even if we speak the Truth in love, the simple fact that we are speaking the Truth of Christ will offend some, and they will look down upon us; they will speak ill of us; they will condemn us. But let me tell you this: we cannot let the fear of men keep us from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the hurting, seeking, and lost people who need to hear it most. If we keep quiet for fear of not being accepted, none will hear or believe; but if we boldly speak the truth in love, some will believe and repent, to the glory of God.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:35-38 ESV)
Some will believe and repent; some will remain in sin and look down upon us. Some will respond to the Truth; some will criticize us for our boldness. Such is the nature of the world; we must learn to love them all regardless. But just as the Jesus Man did, we cannot let the fear of men hinder us from sharing the truth of God. Accept the fact that people will persecute us for speaking the truth, for doing what we know is right, and press on regardless, sharing the Gospel of reconciliation in Christ to those who are crying out to hear it.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:10-12 ESV)
Blessings,
Andrew
Our Daily Bread: "Testimonial Tuesday: Liberty to the Captives" 5-13-08
Hello everyone!
I'd like to implement something I'd like to call "Testimonial Tuesdays," where instead of a message, we'll have a testimony from someone whose life God has blessed. In fact, I would like to invite you all to take part in this as well, if you feel led to do so. If you have a testimony of something special that the Lord has done in your life - big or small - we'd love to hear it and share it with everyone else! You may choose to remain anonymous or not; it is completely up to you, but we would love to hear from you regardless! Remember, the power of a testimony knows no bounds!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
Today's testimony comes from a web-ministry I've shared on occasions past called Setting Captives Free, and I enjoy this particular testimony because it shows us that no matter the depth of our sin, no matter how long we have been held captive by its deceitfulness, the Lord can and does lead to true repentance and salvation without regret - praise God for that, and for this testimony of His grace from a gentleman who recently completed the "Way of Purity" course.
"At age 16 I was introduced to pornography by my uncle. That began a downward spiral through college and my twenties into sexual sin. My mind was on fire and I could not stop...or would not stop!
When I was 30 I revealed the sin to my wife and she demanded that I get counseling. I went to counseling and later SAA, but nothing really helped over the long term because Christ was not the center. 10 years later my marriage ended in divorce, which began another spiral downward into more porn, selfish gratification and lust.
One day, after crying out to the Lord and begging him to help me, I Googled the words "sexual addiction" on my computer and up came the Setting Captives Free website. I visited it, but did not start the program until 5 months later due to my pride and hardness of heart. Finally, by Gods grace, and after much more pain, I started the course.
Since that time God has been so gracious to lead me through this process of true freedom - He is restoring the years the locust have eaten. I give him all the glory! For the first time in 30 years, I have hope, true peace of mind and God is giving me freedom from the slavery of pornography and the devil. All praise to his holy name!"
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations." (Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV)
Let us all rejoice in our God, who indeed has the power to free the captives, comfort those who mourn, and to give them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" And please remember, if any of you have a testimony you'd like to share, please do! It does not have to be as "weighty" as the one I shared here; simply something wonderful the Lord has done in your life.
Blessings,
Andrew
I'd like to implement something I'd like to call "Testimonial Tuesdays," where instead of a message, we'll have a testimony from someone whose life God has blessed. In fact, I would like to invite you all to take part in this as well, if you feel led to do so. If you have a testimony of something special that the Lord has done in your life - big or small - we'd love to hear it and share it with everyone else! You may choose to remain anonymous or not; it is completely up to you, but we would love to hear from you regardless! Remember, the power of a testimony knows no bounds!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
Today's testimony comes from a web-ministry I've shared on occasions past called Setting Captives Free, and I enjoy this particular testimony because it shows us that no matter the depth of our sin, no matter how long we have been held captive by its deceitfulness, the Lord can and does lead to true repentance and salvation without regret - praise God for that, and for this testimony of His grace from a gentleman who recently completed the "Way of Purity" course.
"At age 16 I was introduced to pornography by my uncle. That began a downward spiral through college and my twenties into sexual sin. My mind was on fire and I could not stop...or would not stop!
When I was 30 I revealed the sin to my wife and she demanded that I get counseling. I went to counseling and later SAA, but nothing really helped over the long term because Christ was not the center. 10 years later my marriage ended in divorce, which began another spiral downward into more porn, selfish gratification and lust.
One day, after crying out to the Lord and begging him to help me, I Googled the words "sexual addiction" on my computer and up came the Setting Captives Free website. I visited it, but did not start the program until 5 months later due to my pride and hardness of heart. Finally, by Gods grace, and after much more pain, I started the course.
Since that time God has been so gracious to lead me through this process of true freedom - He is restoring the years the locust have eaten. I give him all the glory! For the first time in 30 years, I have hope, true peace of mind and God is giving me freedom from the slavery of pornography and the devil. All praise to his holy name!"
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations." (Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV)
Let us all rejoice in our God, who indeed has the power to free the captives, comfort those who mourn, and to give them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" And please remember, if any of you have a testimony you'd like to share, please do! It does not have to be as "weighty" as the one I shared here; simply something wonderful the Lord has done in your life.
Blessings,
Andrew
"Who's Your Daddy?" 5-12-08
Hello everyone! Today I'd like to challenge you all with something. Some of you may already be at this point in your relationship with the Lord; others of you may not, but wherever you find yourself, I hope you'll join with me in visiting this fun little topic.
Have you ever heard those sermons on "The Names of The LORD" before? I'm sure most of you have; and they are very fascinating indeed. But today, I'd like to remind you all what a blessing we have in God. I'm sure you've heard before that God is not only our Lord and Master, but that He is our Father; but I'd like to ask, have you really let this truth sink in? Really take time to consider this one little statement:
God is my dad.
Give this a second to sink in. When we take away all the Christianized terminology, we are left with that one simple, little statement.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. (Psalms 68:5 NKJV)
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11 NKJV)
Blessings,
Andrew
Have you ever heard those sermons on "The Names of The LORD" before? I'm sure most of you have; and they are very fascinating indeed. But today, I'd like to remind you all what a blessing we have in God. I'm sure you've heard before that God is not only our Lord and Master, but that He is our Father; but I'd like to ask, have you really let this truth sink in? Really take time to consider this one little statement:
God is my dad.
Give this a second to sink in. When we take away all the Christianized terminology, we are left with that one simple, little statement.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. (Psalms 68:5 NKJV)
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11 NKJV)
Blessings,
Andrew
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