The Kingdom of God and You

Developing A Kingdom Mentality, Part II

2009-12-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

Developing a Kingdom mentality takes time. For the most part, those of us in the west have been programed with a 'church mentality'. Here's what I mean. When we meet another Christian, we'll ask questions like these:

"where do you attend church?"

"what church are you affiliated with?"

"do you attend church?"

Once we've attained this church mentality, we'll make statements like these:

"lets go to church this Sunday."

or

"I'm not happy at this church, lets find another church to go to."

The list could go on and on. I'm not anti-church, far from it. In the New Testament, the Greek word for church is 'ekklesia' and it means, 'a calling out'. In reality, the church is a many membered body with Jesus Christ the Head. It is not an institution or organization, rather it is a living organism, consisting of all the saints on earth and in Heaven. There is one church and its definitely not a man-made entity. Anyone who says their organization or fellowship is the 'real church' is sadly mistaken, perhaps even deceived because the church is universal and spans through time to include all 'the called out' ones.

The church's mission is to equip the saints for the work of ministry, Ephesians 4:11-12. Ministry that is correct builds and expands the Kingdom of God. And it is not confined to the meeting place or behind a pulpit. Ministry is to happen every day, in your world, wherever your world is. I'm a businessman and my world is commerce. Am I looking for someone to pray for in the business world? No, although once in a while, it does happen. My ministry is conducting business according to Kingdom principles, spreading the influence of God throughout my sphere of influence.

I know musicians who are doing the same in the world of art and entertainment, politicians in the political realm, teachers in the educational realm, etc. etc. Where ever your passion and talents are, your field of ministry is very close by. When you are ministering at this level, you are expanding the Kingdom of God.

Many years ago, I heard it put this way: A kingdom is the realm in which a king rules. So given this simple definition, the Kingdom of God is where ever the King is ruling. The Bible says in II Corinthians 5:20 that we are ambassadors of Christ. So that means King Jesus rules through each of us from our hearts. This fits nicely with the fact that WE are Kings and Priests of God and shall reign on this earth, Revelation 1:6 and 5:10.

Like most, I was taught in my early years as a Christian that I must crucify the 'selfish desires of my heart' and submit to the will of God. I tried this for a season and then what? My desires have been discarded for the will of God but no one could direct me to God's will for my life. I tried Sunday School teacher, youth leader and finally, we pastored a church. All to no avail, there was only a little satisfaction and a lot of very hard work with little fruit to show for it. I realized this was a long way from the abundant life promised by Jesus.

Fortunately, for lack of a better term, I stumbled into my calling. In 1991 my father and I started a travel agency for the main purpose of providing wholesale airline tickets to missionaries. I love sales and I really loved selling airline tickets for this purpose. In 1995, I was invited to Ukraine with a short term mission team. God put a love in my heart for the Ukrainian people and we began to return with short trips on a regular basis. I saw scriptures that pointed out our responsibility for taking care of widows, orphans and the poor. So we formed a legal entity that allowed us to legally provide aid to government controlled orphanages. We also helped feed poor families in several cities with the permission of local and regional governments.

To make a long story short, I would raise funds from friends, relatives and my own business to purchase this aid for these projects in Ukraine. After a couple years, I was tired of being a fund raiser so in 2001 I began teaching Ukrainian business people their responsibility to help the poor, the widows and the orphans. In the process, I naturally began to share from my experience how to operate a business more profitably using Kingdom principles.

Because of these actions, hundreds of Ukrainians have started profitable businesses. Many of these business people have in turn started their own mercy type ministries to the less fortunate. Every pastor who has sponsored our business seminars have thanked me for raising up their business people. The pastors indicate these businesses were generous and support the work of the church.

I work with churches but I don't have a traditional ministry within a church. My paradigm goes beyond the four walls of a building to the world around me. I am spreading my affluence and influence in my world. I'm pursuing the desires of my heart and God and I are on the same page. This is Kingdom mentality.

Hopefully, sharing my experience has triggered some desires deep in your heart. So let me ask you, "What is the desire of your heart?"

The Marketplace, The Storehouse and the Tithe

2008-08-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

I have a thought today that I want to throw out and let you chew on. Those of you who've known me for any length of time know that I take a pretty strong stand against the controversial and un-scriptural teaching the tithe belongs to the local church you attend.

Pastors who promote this teaching use Malachi 3:10-12 to prove their point of view. They say the local church is equal to the "storehouse" in this passage. Aside from the fact I believe this is an extreme stretch of interpretation of scripture, let me add this thought to debunk their theory.

If the local church is the storehouse, funded by your tithe, why is it the flow into the storehouse is only one-way? Why is it the storehouse won't help you fund a business venture? Or invest in a proven Christian business that wants to expand?

I'll tell you why. Because the church today is outdated. They continue to hold onto the old tradition that came from the Dark Ages that separates the sacred from the secular. Hand in hand with that tradition is a separation from the clergy and the laity. The "full time" ministers, those who are paid by the people's tithes and offerings, do not consider anyone who is not in their elite club as true ministers. Furthermore, their concept and ideology of ministry is it's behind a pulpit within the four walls of the church.

This is wrong and not New Testament Christianity as revealed in the Book of Acts and forward to the end of the Book. Ministry takes place everyday, everywhere. Not just on Sunday. Ministry is supposed to be accomplished by everyone in the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-12 "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"

Ministry is a whole lot more than preparing a sermon or acting as an usher for a church service. A whole lot more.

If you can accept the fact your job, your business is a ministry, it will change the way you think and it will enrich your faith from just a Sunday thing to an everyday, life-changing fact!

More than 99% of the Body of Christ spend a better portion of their day, whether its in an office, on a job site or in the home raising children, "on the job". That's where our ministry is, "on the job" and "in the marketplace".

The storehouse, in ancient Jewish culture, was a place to help people from. If the pastors of today want to call their churches a "storehouse", perhaps they should begin to help people with more than just a sermon and a handshake.

Why Men Hate Going to Church

2008-08-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday morning. Where are all the men? Golfing? Playing softball? Watching the tube? Mowing the lawn? Sleeping? One place you won't find them is in church. Less than 40 percent of adults in most churches are men, and 20 to 25 percent of married churchgoing women attend without their husbands. And why are the men who do go to church so bored? Why won't they let God change their hearts?

David Murrow's groundbreaking new book reveals why men are the world's largest unreached people group. With eye-opening research and a persuasive grasp on the facts, Murrow explains the problem and offers hope and encouragement to women, pastors, and men. Why Men Hate Going to Church does not call men back to the church-it calls the church back to men.

Book Review
According to the author, American men hate going to church, as evidenced by a wealth of statistics that point to an ever-widening gap between female and male churchgoers. Regardless of denomination, it appears that most Christian churches are unintentionally designed to appeal to women and children. How to solve the growing gender gap in congregations of every type? Murrow advocates injecting a strong shot of testosterone into the proceedings to restore the masculine spirit to the church. Churches need to provide a more challenging and confrontational approach to religion and spiritual issues instead of concentrating on more traditional-- and female-oriented--calls for conformity, control, and ceremony. Whether or not you fully buy into his somewhat simplistic hypothesis and solution, Murrow does provide some provocative food for thought on a hot-button topic. Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

The Kingdom of God and Marketplace Ministry

2008-08-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

An integral component of the advancement of the Kingdom is Marketplace Ministry. Why? Because the expansion of the Kingdom of God into all areas of society includes the marketplace, the economic sphere of society. Perhaps one of the most influential spheres, yet the least understood by Christians.

John Garfield has written two unique and highly targeted books, Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace and From Desire to Destiny: Seven Keys to Your Marketplace Ministry.

Garfield says, "Marketplace ministry is the passion that starts when God connects your job, business, ministry, and life purpose into one package."

Too many Christians are falling short in the economic arena. Either we live from paycheck-to-paycheck or we're behind on our bills and unable to make ends meet. What is the answer?

Here it is: God wants to bless you so you can bless others. Yes, God's plan for us is to literally bless the nations. For far too long the sacred calling has been separated from the secular workplace. Finally, Christian entrepreneurs are connecting vocation, ministry, and life purpose; marketplace ministry has started another reformation. Passion is fueling entrepreneurs in the workplace, they're full of optimism, dreams and hope of a better future. Moreover, Marketplace Ministers are helping others to achieve their dreams and impact their generation through mentoring and practical coaching.

Join the reformation!

North America Revivals

2008-06-03T05:19:00.000-07:00

As to North American "revivals", I am not impressed at all. Toronto, Brownsville, Smithton and others have had no lasting effects. And what effects they did produce were rather dubious anyway.

Brownsville's crime rate was not effected positvely by the revival. Overall church attendance in the city did not rise during or after the revival.

In the revivals in America in the 1800's, these things DID happen. Crime rates went down, bars closed, overall church attendance rose dramatically.

Sadly, the results today's evangelists look for is how many people came to the alter, were slain in the spirit, got "touched" with holy laughter. You get the picture. Its all a sham, and a big part of today's charismatic/pentecostal leaders are in it for the money, living lavish lifestyles.

Todd Bently is leading another revival in Lakeland Florida. It would great if it would be different from the others, but reports indicate its following the same old pentecostal path as the Brownsville revival.

Really, we don't need another revival, we need a reformation. This wineskin of charismatic/pentecostalism is old and cracked.

Spiritual Arrogance, the Kiss of Death

2008-05-20T05:19:00.000-07:00

Arrogance, for a leader, well, any Christian for that matter, is the kiss of death.

I read this story the other day on a blog. It's supposed to be a true story of a radio exchange that took place in October 1995 off the coast of Newfoundland between the American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and Canadian authorities:

Americans: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.”

Canadians: “Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to avoid collision.”

Americans: “This is the captain of a U.S. Navy ship. I say again, divert your course!”

Canadians: “No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.”

Americans: “This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second-largest aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels.

“I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.”

Canadians: “This is a lighthouse. Your call."

I've known Christians who typically thought they were always right and a few who thought they were infallible. This is a recipe for shipwreck, ending up on the rocks. Humilty, especially in our opinion of ourselves is a must in this time we live.

I'd like to say to one impetious pastor I know. The gifts and callings of God are exactly that, gifts. Your title as pastor and your ordination are not badges to be worn on your puffed chest, rather graces of God to be a blessing to the body of Christ and build God's Kingdom, not your own.

Passover - a Celebration or a Legalistic Requirement?

2008-04-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Later this month, Jews and some Christians will be celebrating Passover, one of the seven feasts of ancient Israel. The question that comes to my mind is, "why would born again, believers in Jesus Christ be celebrating a religious holiday endorsed by non-believing Jews?"

A sect in mainstream Christianity is attracting the attention of some believers. This sect is called "messianics", lead by Jews who have received Jesus Christ as Messiah. These messianics are calling the church to return to their Jewish roots, mainly by celebrating the seven feasts ancient Israel was required to observe.

Any knowlegable Christian knows and understands that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law (where the Jews are required to observe Passover). In fact, Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb. Apostle Paul's writings in the New Testament indicate the Law and it's commandments were shadows and types of that which was to come, Christ.

There is no need to continue to celebrate Passover along with the non-believing Jews, why remain in the shadows when we have the Light Himself, Jesus?

The danger I see in Christians dabbling in Old Testament practices is a return to legalism and a departure from faith to works of the Law.

Midas Touch, Kenneth Hagin's Forgotten Warning

2008-03-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

Kenneth Hagin’s Forgotten Warning
J. Lee Grady

Before he died in 2003, the revered father of the Word-Faith movement corrected his spiritual sons for going to extremes with their message of prosperity.

Charismatic Bible teacher Kenneth Hagin Sr. is considered the father of the so-called prosperity gospel. The folksy, self-trained “Dad Hagin” started a grass-roots movement in Oklahoma that produced a Bible college and a crop of famous preachers including Kenneth Copeland, Jerry Savelle, Charles Capps, Jesse DuPlantis, Creflo Dollar and dozens of others—all of whom teach that Christians who give generously should expect financial rewards on this side of heaven.

Hagin taught that God was not glorified by poverty and that preachers do not have to be poor. But before he died in 2003 and left his Rhema Bible Training Center in the hands of his son, Kenneth Hagin Jr., he summoned many of his colleagues to Tulsa to rebuke them for distorting his message. He was not happy that some of his followers were manipulating the Bible to support what he viewed as greed and selfish indulgence.

Those who were close to Hagin Sr. say he was passionate about correcting these abuses before he died. In fact, he wrote a brutally honest book to address his concerns. The Midas Touch was published in 2000, a year after the infamous Tulsa meeting.

Many Word-Faith ministers ignored the book. But in light of the recent controversy over prosperity doctrines, it might be a good idea to dust it off and read it again.

Here are a few of the points Hagin made in The Midas Touch:

1. Financial prosperity is not a sign of God’s blessing. Hagin wrote: “If wealth alone were a sign of spirituality, then drug traffickers and crime bosses would be spiritual giants. Material wealth can be connected to the blessings of God or it can be totally disconnected from the blessings of God.”

2. People should never give in order to get. Hagin was critical of those who “try to make the offering plate some kind of heavenly vending machine.” He denounced those who link giving to getting, especially those who give cars to get new cars or who give suits to get new suits. He wrote: “There is no spiritual formula to sow a Ford and reap a Mercedes.”

3. It is not biblical to “name your seed” in an offering. Hagin was horrified by this practice, which was popularized in faith conferences during the 1980s. Faith preachers sometimes tell donors that when they give in an offering they should claim a specific benefit to get a blessing in return. Hagin rejected this idea and said that focusing on what you are going to receive “corrupts the very attitude of our giving nature.”

4. The “hundredfold return” is not a biblical concept. Hagin did the math and figured out that if this bizarre notion were true, “we would have Christians walking around with not billions or trillions of dollars, but quadrillions of dollars!” He rejected the popular teaching that a believer should claim a specific monetary payback rate.

5. Preachers who claim to have a “debt-breaking” anointing should not be trusted. Hagin was perplexed by ministers who promise “supernatural debt cancellation” to those who give in certain offerings. He wrote in The Midas Touch: “There is not one bit of Scripture I know about that validates such a practice. I’m afraid it is simply a scheme to raise money for the preacher, and ultimately it can turn out to be dangerous and destructive for all involved.”

(Many evangelists who appear on Christian television today use this bogus claim. Usually they insist that the miraculous debt cancellation will occur only if a person “gives right now,” as if the anointing for this miracle suddenly evaporates after the prime time viewing hour. This manipulative claim is more akin to witchcraft than Christian belief.)

Hagin condemned other harebrained gimmicks designed to trick audiences into emptying their wallets. He was especially incensed when a preacher told his radio listeners that he would take their prayer requests to Jesus’ empty tomb in Jerusalem and pray over them there—if donors included a special love gift. “What that radio preacher really wanted was more people to send in offerings,” Hagin wrote.

Thanks to the recent resurgence in bizarre donation schemes promoted by American Charismatics, the prosperity gospel is back under the nation’s microscope. It’s time to revisit Hagin’s concerns and find a biblical balance.

Hagin told his followers: “Overemphasizing or adding to what the Bible actually teaches invariably does more harm than good.” If the man who pioneered the modern concept of biblical prosperity blew the whistle on his own movement, wouldn’t it make sense for us to listen to his admonition?

J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma. The Midas Touch is available from Amazon.com, The Midas Touch: A Balanced Approach to Biblical Prosperity

Charismatics targeted as would-be Orange Revolutionaries?

2008-03-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

RUSSIA: Charismatics targeted as would-be Orange Revolutionaries?

This article was published by F18News on: 14 February 2008
By Geraldine Fagan, Forum 18 News Service

In the run-up to Russia's 2 March presidential election, a Ukrainian-based church involved in that country's 2004 "Orange Revolution" has twice been the object of hostile attention by the Russian authorities, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. The Ukrainian founder of the Embassy of God's Moscow community was turned back from the Russian capital's Sheremetyevo Airport on 3 February. Pastor Aleksandyr Dzyuba believes he was barred for religious reasons. "For a long time Russia has been afraid of the Orange Revolution, and they connect me with it because I am a pastor of that church." FSB security service officers broke up an Embassy of God Bible school graduation ceremony in the Volga city of Tolyatti on Sunday 20 January. They interrogated all the church leaders present. "They asked us everything - where I'm from, what I teach, my link with the school, with the Orange Revolution," the church's Kiev-based bishop, Anatoli Belonozhko told Forum 18. The Orange Revolution wa s the issue which most interested the FSB officers according to another of those questioned, Pastor Ivan Semenets.

In the run-up to Russia's 2 March presidential election, the FSB security service have twice struck at a Kiev-based charismatic church due to its support for Ukraine's Orange Revolution, affected pastors have suggested to Forum 18 News Service. The Ukrainian founder of Embassy of God's Moscow community was deported from an airport in the Russian capital on 3 February, he told Forum 18. On 20 January an Embassy of God Bible school graduation ceremony in southern Russia was reportedly disrupted by the FSB. FSB representatives have denied involvement to Forum 18.

The Ukrainian capital Kiev's Embassy of God church - which claims 25,000 members - gave practical support to demonstrators during the country's 2004 Orange Revolution, the church's Nigerian founder, Pastor Sunday Adelaja, states on its website: "We got involved with the Orange Revolution because the communist people were trying to come back and they were dominating and we took all the people to the streets and they stood their ground that no we are not going to allow any oppression to come back." Pastor Adelaja was deported from Russia on 31 May 2006 (see F18News 7 June 2006 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=794).

The Ukrainian founder of Moscow's Embassy of God community was turned back from the Russian capital's Sheremetyevo Airport on 3 February, he told Forum 18 from Kiev on 12 February. Intending to lead Triumphant Zion's church's Sunday worship service, Pastor Aleksandr Dzyuba was instead told by border guards that he was barred according to their database: "One said I posed a threat to the Russian Federation, but wouldn't explain why."

After an hour's detention at the airport, Pastor Dzyuba was told his passport was with airline staff and would be returned in Kiev, "so I didn't run away." His passport returned unmarked, the pastor did not receive any documentation confirming deportation, he told Forum 18.

Pastor Dzyuba believes he was barred for religious reasons. "Through my own channels, I found out it was because I am a leader of Pastor Sunday's church. For a long time Russia has been afraid of the Orange Revolution, and they connect me with it because I am a pastor of that church."

With a valid Russian residency permit - Ukrainian citizens do not require visas - Pastor Dzyuba had been making similar monthly visits to Moscow since handing over leadership of Triumphant Zion church to a local pastor a year ago, he told Forum 18. Believing responsibility for his deportation lies with the FSB, he suggested that the timing of the incident could be due to Russia's imminent presidential election.

"We don't bar anyone from entering Russia," an FSB representative at Sheremetyevo Terminal 1, where Pastor Dzyuba was detained, insisted to Forum 18 on 13 February. "We don't deal with such things." He added that the Federal Migration Service was the responsible body.

The Federal Migration Service questioned why Forum 18 was turning to them on 13 February, however. "We aren't even at the border," a press spokesperson remarked. "It isn't us - it would be the Border Service."

A press spokesperson at the Border Service, which comes under the FSB, directed Forum 18 to its public relations department on 13 February. A spokesperson there insisted he did not have any information about Aleksandr Dzyuba's case and did not know where it could be found. "Look on Interfax [a Russian news agency]!" he exclaimed, before slamming the phone down.

12 FSB officers also broke up an Embassy of God Bible school graduation ceremony in the Volga city of Tolyatti on Sunday, 20 January, according to the church's Kiev-based bishop, Anatoli Belonozhko. After identifying themselves and showing an order to conduct a check-up from Samara Regional Public Prosecutor's Office, the FSB claimed that the school, diplomas and rental agreement for the hall where the event was taking place were all illegal, Bishop Belonozhko told Forum 18 from Kiev on 12 February. They then interrogated all the church leaders present and the hall's landlord, he added. "They asked us everything - where I'm from, what I teach, my link with the school, with the Orange Revolution."

The Orange Revolution was the issue which most interested the FSB representatives, suggested another of those interrogated, Pastor Ivan Semenets. While they also asked about the rented hall and diplomas, "any sensible person realises the FSB doesn't deal with that kind of stuff," he pointed out to Forum 18 on 13 February. At the end of the interrogation, he said, "they asked about our connection with Pastor Sunday's activity - were we planning an Orange Revolution?" Pastor Semenets was surprised by the officers' level of knowledge, and deduced that they must have an informer in the church. "They knew the names of all the pastors, elders, administrators, what they do, who visits from Ukraine, who advertised 'Civic Position', when the church was founded, when the diploma ceremony was to be."

"Civic Position" is a Russian-language book by Pastor Sunday Adelaja which "not only explains the importance of every believer playing a part in the reformation of society, but also shows how to do it."

A press spokesperson at Samara Regional Public Prosecutor's Office was initially doubtful that it had ordered the check-up when contacted by Forum 18 on 13 February. The Public Prosecutor's role is supervisory, she pointed out, and such a move would usually only follow a court ruling establishing illegal activity. After checking with relevant colleagues, she told Forum 18 that they knew nothing about it: "Try the FSB."

A spokesperson for Samara Regional FSB told Forum 18 on 13 February that he had no information about the check-up. He insisted that he would know if it had taken place, even if conducted by the local FSB in Tolyatti rather than his department.

Following the recent change of regime in Ukraine, concern has risen in Russia about Protestant influence in particular. Commenting on a local evangelical missionary initiative in the wake of the Orange Revolution, for example, a spokeswoman for Arkhangelsk Regional FSB maintained: "Experience shows that this type of religious project is usually used as a cover for activity by the secret services of foreign states" (see F18News 7 September 2005 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=644).

Faith Harvest, Pastor Ivan Semenets' Embassy of God church in Tolyatti, now faces prosecution for conducting commercial activity without a licence, he told Forum 18. A hearing at Samara Regional Arbitration Court has been set for 27 February. While the FSB officers maintained the church requires a licence for educational activity, the pastor rejects this, stressing that only existing members of the church are students. This is in line with the 1997 Religion Law's stipulation that an unregistered religious group has the right to teach its existing followers (Article 7, Part 2). Pastor Semenets also pointed out that an educational licence is required only by a professional religious educational institution seeking to have publicly recognised qualifications (Article 19). While the FSB officers were particularly displeased by the school's receipt of a 600-rouble (132 Norwegian Kroner, 17 Euros, 24 US Dollars) donation from each student, he remarked to Forum 18, "I told them th is doesn't even cover our costs."

Begun in May 2007, Faith Harvest's Bible school offers four-month weekend courses on church organisation, mission and social work. While the FSB confiscated its diplomas, a computer, posters, tests, enrolment documents and pastors' recommendations during the 20 January check-up, these have since been returned.

Confusion persists over what type of religious educational activity requires a state licence. Moscow-based religious rights lawyer Vladimir Ryakhovsky has maintained to Forum 18 that only educational institutions require licences for educational activity, a view broadly supported by Viktor Korolev of the Federal Registration Service. However, an informal Pentecostal Bible school in the Volga republic of Chuvashia was dissolved for being unlicenced in September 2007 (see F18News 15 November 2007 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1048).

A charismatic Bible college in the Pacific region of Primorsky Krai was similarly shut down in 2003 (see F18News 21 April 2003 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=35).

Elsewhere, two Pentecostal congregations continue to resist threats to their church buildings. Told on 30 January to evacuate their church within five days to make way for the construction of a music theatre, members of Astrakhan's Jesus Christ Church vowed to go on hunger strike should eviction occur, Pastor Aleksandr Kalinin of the church confirmed to Forum 18 on 12 February. The congregation's stance proved effective, he believes, as on 11 February the regional authorities offered a good quality building as compensation, to which the church has orally agreed. "We decided on a hunger strike as we couldn't have asserted our rights otherwise," Pastor Kalinin explained to Forum 18. "No one would have listened."

Pastor Kalinin previously complained to Forum 18 that the authorities had been offering compensation premises far inferior to the church's present building, a former cinema in a central city park (see F18News 30 October 2007 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1040).

Despite ongoing fire safety, tax and other inspections in a similar case, Word of Life Pentecostal Church in Kaluga continues to occupy its building, Pastor Albert Ratkin of the church told Forum 18 on 12 February. Bought in 2002, the church's building and land are now situated in the middle of a shopping mall construction site (see F18News 30 October 2007 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1040).

In Russia, threats to demolish places of worship are most usually encountered by Muslims and Protestants. However, the state authorities may also stop other confessions - including the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) - from retaining or acquiring worship premises (see F18News 23 October 2007 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1038).

Kingdom Business Journal

2008-02-15T17:49:00.001-08:00

Once in a while, I come across a site or blog that really catches my attention. Today was no different, while I was surfing about Kingdom principles and business, I came upon Kingdom Business Journal. According to founder Rich Forster, Kingdom Business Journal's purpose is to promote, teach and share Kingdom principles for success and ministry in the Marketplace.

I couldn't agree more with Forster's purpose, more emphasis should be placed upon practical Christianty and how that fleshes out in the marketplace. Afterall, according to Forster, only 2% of North American Christians are in a paid position at a church.

With more than 20 contributing authors, Kingdom Business Journal will certainly have articles and resources to help you and your day-to-day life in the marketplace. I'm adding KBJ to my list of favorites, I believe this site will be a hit in the long run.

Postive Results of a Tithe

2008-02-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

Malachi 3:10b "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Tithing opens the windows of heaven! Tithing releases financial blessings in a practical way in our everyday lives. Tithing opens the window of opportunity for your business or job. When we tithe, God opens the window of heaven and blessings come to us in the form of ideas, creativity and opportunities to prosper above normal means. Our businesses will prosper and bring wealth into the Kingdom of God for His purposes. Tithing keeps us "in season" with what God is doing.

Malachi 3:11-12 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, Says the Lord of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land, Says the Lord of hosts."

Tithing is a financial protection for believers. When we tithe, God rebukes the enemy for our sake so he cannot steal from and destroy our businesses. When these blessings are evident in our lives, it is a powerful witness to all nations!

More on Tithing

2008-02-05T20:33:00.000-08:00

What I am about to say will be controversial, I'm sure. But this is what I beleive the Lord has revealed to me.

Mal 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

This verse from Malachi is perhaps one of the most misunderstood and yet important verses in God's economy. Before I share with you what the Lord has shown me, we must first see what the context was in which it was spoken.

The Word of the Lord from Malachi is the whole nation of Israel was backslidden from God and the priests were evil. That is the historical context and it was a word to the nation of Israel, and specifically, the priests of that time. The word speaks to us today, but we're not backslidden and were not practicing idolatry, right? We're seeking God with our whole heart and expanding the His Kingdom.

I know many pastors tell their people if they do not tithe and give offerings, they are cursed and they quote this verse from Malachi to prove it. I am sorry, but I do not agree and I believe those pastors are doing much more harm than good for the Kingdom. They are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.

Christians are not cursed by God, even if they do not tithe. The Bible tells us in Galatians 3:13 "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us". Under the Old Covenant, the curse of the Law went into effect if you broke the Law. Christ Jesus came and fulfilled the Law for us and redeemed us from the curse of it! Praise the Lord! We're not under the Law of Moses, rather the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

In the Law of Moses, many different forms of tithing was instituted to provide for the priesthood, care of the temple and support for the welfare program to widows and orphans, generally speaking. The practice of tithing that many pastors teach in our time is not even close to the way tithing is commanded in the Law of Moses.

Am I encouraging New Testament Christians to not tithe? Absolutely not! I am pointing out the fact that tithing as taught by leaders, especially from North America is not scripturally sound.

Pastors and leaders should encourage believers to tithe in order that they may experience the blessings associated with that discipline. Fear tactics, telling believers they will be cursed, should never be used to motivate believers to obey God.

What I am saying is this: tithes and offering given as directed by the Lord release a very specific blessing in the lives of those who practice it.

Christian Giving

2008-02-01T20:40:00.000-08:00

Last month I devoted most of the posts to showing why the tithe is not required for the church today. February will be devoted to teaching New Testament truth about giving and correct teaching about a tithe and offerings.

More Thoughts on Abraham's Tithe

2008-01-31T20:33:00.000-08:00

Pastor's who are erroneously teaching their flocks that they are required to tithe to the church typically cite the fact Abraham tithed before the Law was given. They tell their people, "If you will tithe your income, you will be blessed." Some go so far as saying those who do not tithe will be cursed.

Let's look closer at the scripture in Genesis 14 where Abram tithed the spoils of a battle to king/priest Melchizedek:

Genesis 14:18-20
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

I want you to notice that Melchizedek first "blessed" Abram, then Abram gave a tithe. This is a small, but critical point. The pastors, though, teach this exactly opposite: first you tithe, then you will be blessed.

I was speaking about this to a close friend the other day. He said, "Of course, this is the way it should be. We give because we're blessed of God. We don't give in order to get because that would be a wrong motive."

If you're giving or tithing in order to please God, or worse yet, trying to obtain the blessing of God, give it up! Stop! You're already blessed of God because you're in Christ. (See Galatians 3:9-14 and Ephesians 1:3-4.) You don't have to work to obtain God's favor and blessing! If you're in Christ, you're redeemed from the curse, there is nothing else you have to do! (See Galatians 3:13). Don't allow yourself to be motivated by fear to give, that is not the way God does it.

Give liberally and cheerfully, give however your heart dictates to you. Let no one make you give under compulsion. (See II Corinthians 9:6-11). This is way we're to give according to the New Testament.

Click this link to read more about Abraham's tithe.

Tithing According to Abraham's Example

2008-01-24T03:41:00.000-08:00

It was an ancient custom of many nations in the Middle East to give a tenth, (tithe means tenth), of one's income as an offering to a god or to a king. The first mention of tithing in the Bible occurs in Genesis chapter 14 where Abram (later known as Abraham) gave a tithe to Melchizedek of the spoils of war.

A war had broke out between 4 kings and five others. Abram's brother, Lot was caught in the crossfire and was taken captive by one of the armies. A survivor of the battle made his way to Abram and told the news of Lot's capture. Abram quickly oraganized his own war party of 318 men and pursued the army into Dan. Abram and his small army caught up with them, attacked by night and slaughtered the enemy, freeing Lot, his women, the goods and everyone else who had been taken captive.

Upon Abram's return, several king's met him, probably to collect their tithe. Two king's are mentioned specifically, the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, king of Salem. Melchizedek, also a priest, blesses Abram and he in return gives the tithe to Melchizedek. The king of Sodom asks Abram for the people and suggests Abram keep the goods. Abram responds saying, "I'm not keeping anything, lest you could say, 'I've made Abram rich', the only thing we're keeping is the food we've eaten and the portion my 3 captains have rightfully earned."

So Abram himself kept nothing. He tithed of the spoils to Melchizedek, according to the custom of the day and gave the rest away. In the entire life of Abraham, this is the only recorded instance of him giving a tithe. His tithe wasn't from his income or even his own possessions.

There is no New Testament command to tithe based on Abram's example than there are to be circumcised, to offer animal sacrifices, to have concubines or to practice polygamy. In the more than 70 New Testament references to Abraham, the only practice of his that we are admonished to follow is his faith.

There is no way a pastor today can use this incident to justify teaching that a NT believer owes the church 10% of his earned income.

Many years ago, a wise teacher told me if you teach tithing for any other reason than to enroll believers in God's plan of prosperity, you're teaching with the wrong motive. Barna Research Group studies indicate the rank and file in the churches see through the teaching about the tithe. Their study show only 8% of American Christians tithe their income to a local church or religious institution.

Pastors today teach tithing to fund their church, their visions, their programs and their pesonal income. There's nothing wrong with you supporting these activities, but you owe God no tithe because Christ fulfilled the Law and you are no longer under it. If you don't tithe, you are not cursed, because Christ became a curse for you. And you owe no tithe based on Abraham's example either.

Robbing God

2008-01-23T04:45:00.000-08:00

Have you ever sat in a church service and been accused of robbing God? Unfortunately, many of us have. The preacher uses a scripture from Malachi 3:8-12 to prove his point if you're not giving your whole tithe to his local church, you're robbing God.

I've got good news for you, you're not a God robber if you don't tithe! A careful study of scripture reveals the Old Testament tithe is not applicable to New Testament believers. The coming of Christ and the Law of the Spirit (Romans 8:2) has superseeded the Law of Moses. It's wrong to enforce tithing on Christians, it's legalism in its purest form.

The scripture used in Malachi has a parallel passage in Deuteronomy 26:12-15 which confirms that Malachi refers to the "whole tithe". Now the "whole tithe" is the only tithe that was given away and that was only on the third year. The Levites took the third year tithe to the temple in Jerusalem and gave it to the temple priests (Numbers 18:26-28).

The Hebrew word "'outsar" translated "storehouse" in Malachi 3:10 is the same word in Nehemiah 10:38. The "storehouse" refers to a temple warehouse, described in Nehemiah 13:5, as a place for keeping tithed grain, frankincense, temple vessels, wine and oil. The tithe in question was probably the tithe payable by the Levites, not the tithes payable by the people. Malachi was not rebuking the common people ("And now this admonition is for you, O priests." 2:1); he was rebuking the Levites!

It's a dangerous and extreme stretch to say the "storehouse" in Malachi 3 is the local church in the New Testament. Our walk with God through Jesus Christ is not about rigid legalistic regulations imposed by a pastor who is taking scripture grossly out of context. That results in spiritual abuse, control and unfair manipulation of God's people.

It is fair to say this passage in Malachi doesn't apply to us as Christians in the age of grace. Even if it did though, it would apply to pastors not giving a tithe from the tithe of the people. Now isn't that ironic?

If you want to give 10%, 15%, 20% or whatever you so desire of your income, that's fine, you're free to do that. Christians are to be generous, to give joyfully, cherrfully and without compulsion. Amen!

Facts on Tithing

2008-01-21T03:59:00.000-08:00

Tithing is a hot issue in the church today. Most pastors in American churches teach that believers are to "tithe" their income to their local church. Some pastors are so radical in their teaching, they claim those who do not tithe are cursed and robbing God. According to recent studies, less than 8% of American church goers practice tithing.

Following is a very good article by Ken Lawson detailing the Biblical facts on tithing.

1. The English word "tithe" as well as its Hebrew-Greek equivalents "ma`aser" and "apodekatoo" means a tenth.

2. Many Christian churches preach tithing as a means of supporting the work of the Lord today. There are many variations of this theme. Some pay the local church one tenth of their income after taxes and bills are paid; some pay before. Others demand tithing on unemployment, inheritance, gifts, tax refunds, social security and even gambling winnings. The tithing issue has caused a great deal of strife and division in our churches over the years.

3. The most well known passage on tithing comes from the Old Testament book of Malachi 3:7-10. This Scripture has given rise to the practice of "Storehouse Tithing." Simply stated, the congregation is exhorted from the pulpit to channel all of their Christian giving through the local church (storehouse). If they wish to give to a Christian organization, radio or television broadcast, etc., it must go through their denominational machinery in order for the local church to get "credit." Also the pastor and elders often must make the determination if the cause supported by the giver is "worthy."

4. This use of the Malachi passage is a good example of Scripture being taken out of its historical and dispensational context. "This whole nation" in verse 9 is the backslidden nation of Israel, NOT the present day church (Malachi 1:1; 3:6). They were under the law of Moses as a system of conditional blessing. Believers today are not under the law but under grace (Romans 6:14). As such we have already been blessed by God with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and are under a system of unconditional blessing with grace on the throne (Romans 5:21).

5. This should put an end to the common charge that believers who don't tithe are "robbing God" and will be "cursed with a curse." The storehouse mentioned in verse 10 is not a local church but a storage bin or silo in the Jewish temple where the grain from the Hebrew's tithes was stored (2 Chronicles 31:4-12).

6. Under the law only agricultural products were tithed. They included grain, fruit, and livestock. Only products produced within the boundaries of the land of Israel were to be tithed. Jews living in Gentile lands were exempt (Leviticus 27:30-34).

7. Others exempt from the tithing law included the hired hands, fishermen, miners, lumber workers, construction workers, soldiers, weavers, potters, manufacturers, merchants, government workers, and priests. In short, all who were not farmers were exempt.

8. A farmer with only 9 cattle did not tithe because the law specified the "tenth which passeth under the rod." Likewise a farmer with 19 sheep paid only 1 sheep to the Lord's tithe.

9. The Jewish farmers in the land could redeem (buy back) the tithes of their crops with a penalty of one fifth. In other words, if a farmer wishes to keep his tithe of grain worth $1,000, he could pay the cash equivalent of $1,200 (Leviticus 27:31).

10. Livestock could not be brought back nor could the farmer exchange a good animal for a bad one or vice versa. Any attempt to substitute any other animal other than the tenth which passed under the rod would be penalized by the farmer forfeiting both the tenth and its substitute (Leviticus 27:33).

11. God ordained the Levites to be the ones to whom the tithe was paid (Numbers 18:21). They were one of the 12 tribes of Israel to whom no inheritance was given in the land. The Lord Himself and the tithes of the children of Israel was their inheritance. It was used for the service of the tabernacle (later the temple) (Numbers 18:20-28).

12. It was unlawful for anyone outside of the tribe of Levi to receive the tithe, such as prophets, preachers, kings or evangelists.

13. The Levites paid one tenth of their tithes to the high priest. Not all Levites were priests but only the sons of Aaron. The priests did not tithe.

14. The Lord Jesus Christ did not ask for or receive a tithe for support of His ministry. Being of the tribe of Judah (not Levi) He could not without breaking the law (Hebrews 7:14; Revelation 5:5).

15. Neither Peter (not of the tribe of Levi) nor Paul (of the tribe of Benjamin) could receive tithes for the support of their ministries.

16. Even the Jews do not practice tithing today because there are no Levites, priests, or temple worship in Jerusalem. Jewish rabbis know biblical law well enough to know that tithing under the present circumstances is unlawful. According to them, when the temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem with a consecrated altar with priests and Levites officiating, all Jews living within the biblical tithing zones will tithe.

17. Some Christian ministries today continue to support tithing, using the argument that it predates Moses and the law. But this reasoning is not valid, for the Sabbath also predates the giving of the law (Exodus 16:23-29) and yet it is not binding on God's people today (Romans 14:5,6; Galatians 4:9,10; Colossians 2:16,17).

18. Abraham gave tithes to Melchisedec, king of Salem, but this was the spoils of war, not the legalistic tithe of the land which Moses commanded. Also, God did not command the tithe, Abraham chose to give it of his own free will (Genesis 14:17-23; Hebrews 7:1-10).

19. The only other scriptural reference to tithing before Moses is Jacob. Again there is no command to tithe. In fact Jacob puts up numerous conditions to be met before he will pay the tithe to the Lord (Genesis 28:20-22).

20. The biblical references which address the tithing issues are: Genesis 14:20; 28:22; Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:20-28; Deuteronomy 12:6,11,17; 14:22,23,28; 26:12; 2 Chronicles 31:5,6,12; Amos 4:4; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Hebrews 7:5-9.1

21. Paul the apostle to the Gentiles for this present dispensation of Grace does not mention tithing but says a great deal about Christian giving. Romans 15:25,26; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians chapters 8 & 9; Galatians 6:6-10; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Timothy 5:9-18.

WHO is to give to the Lord's work? The Christian! He gives systematically, sacrificially, and joyfully. TO WHOM does he give? To Christ! FOR WHAT does he give? For the cause of Christ! NOT to a man or to a church, not for gain, but for the Gospel.

Endnote

According to Deuteronomy 14:22,23,28; 26:12; and Amos 4:4, the tithe was only given every three years.

This article originally appeared in the Berean Searchlight, the free monthly magazine of the Berean Bible Society. For over 60 years, the Berean Bible Society has been proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Lawson

Control and Manipulation

2008-01-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

One of the main differences between ministers who are Kingdom minded and those who aren't is control and manipulation. Kingdom minded ministers are not building their own empire or kingdom. They understand from their hearts their calling and gifting fits into a larger Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

Ministers who are not Kingdom minded have a tendency to control and manipulate people who are under their influence. These ministers use people for their own gain, power, prestige, honor and popularity. For the most part, they are building their own kingdom, not God's.

Here is an example of a ministry attempting to control and manipulate members.

A member was an integral part of the media team of a certain ministry. For some reason, this man decided it was time for he and his family to leave this ministry. The minister comes to his home and pleads for him not to leave (he needs him). He then informs this member that he would like to pray for him but he no longer can since the family is no longer under his covering and authority.

Where in the world is it found in the scriptures that you only have authority to pray for those who are under your covering (translate: control)? It doesn't. It was a vain attempt to manipulate the family back under this minister's control by implying they would be open prey to the enemy because the minister wasn't able to pray for them any longer.

More thoughts on Messianic churches

2008-01-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

The other day I was speaking with a friend who attends a Messianic congregation. In the course of the conversation about the MM (Messianic Movement), I said, "The Messianics are in the same ditch the Ancient Jews were stuck in."

My friend replied, "How is that?"

I explained. The ancient Jews were to reveal Jehovah God to the nations, not to just keep Him for themselves. Today, the Messianics are totally focused upon Israel. God's plan has never changed. He wants to whole world, every tribe, every tongue, every nation to hear the Good News. Yes, Israel is important, and He is drawing the Jews back to the land. But God also spoke through His Son, Jesus Christ, who said the Gospel of the Kingdom was to be preached "to all nations".

To ignore the responsibility to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to all the world is to disobey the Great Commission.

Kingdom Mentality in Eastern Europe

2007-11-06T04:23:00.000-08:00

The church in the Western hemisphere has lost much of it’s power and influence. I’ve been working a number of years in Eastern Europe, specifically Ukraine where it is much different there. The evangelical church had a significant impact on the outcome of the Orange Revolution of Ukraine in late 2004.

The main difference between the East and West is this: the leadership in the East and consequently the members, have a Kingdom mentality. Whereas the church in the west has what I call a “box” mentality. Let me elaborate. Everything happens within the “box”, or 4 walls of the church. Practically all forms of ministry take place within the “box”, therefore, only a small percentage of the membership are actively involved in ministry. They, for the most part, are professional ministers. The rest are required to be faithful at filling their spot in the pews…and do nothing as pertaining to Biblical ministry. For example, personal witnessing has digressed to “inviting people to church”.

From my personal observation, the leaders in the East are adept at equiping the membership as ministers and empowering them to complete their God-given ministries. We are all ministers: Ephesians 4:11-12. The leadership are to equip us, the members, to do the work of the minstry.

In the Eastern European churches, very few own their own church buildings. After the fall of Communism, many people were getting saved through the efforts of western missionaries and the few believers who resided within Eastern Europe. They began meeting in homes and renting public theaters and halls. Even today, almost 20 years after the collapse of the Berlin wall, very few evangelical churches own their own facility. Because of this, the leadership never cultivated the mentality we have here in the West about church buildings. We “go” to church. They consider themselves “the” church.

Back to Kingdom mentality. The western church is infected with “church mentality”. Everything is about the church. Church growth, church finances, etc. etc. Jesus didn’t come preaching, saying, “The church is at hand.” No, He said, “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” John the Baptist preached the same message and so did the first generation believers. The church is the agent that is to extend and manifest the Kingdom of God here on earth, just like Jesus Christ did when He walked this earth. If the Head of the church preached “things pertaining to the Kingdom”, then so should the Body.

The focus should be the Kingdom, not the church.

But now, the Eastern European church is wanting to help the Western church regain what has been lost. It will take a real shift in our thinking in order to regain power and influence we once had. One of the pastors I know and work with, Sunday Adelaja, is kicking off in February 2008 what I call a movement, sharing what they've learned. You can read about it on his website, ChuchShift.

Developing a Kingdom Mentality, Part I

2007-10-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

I was speaking with a relatively new Christian the other day about how to develope his spiritual life. In the course of the conversation, I explained to him it was most important to learn to worship God in the privacy of his home first.

He asked, "But I thought we are supposed to worship God publicly?"

I responded, "We are, but private worship comes first. You develop intimacy with God in your 'closet', then when you're in public, worship will be natural to you. Many people are embarrassed to worship God in a public setting because they are not intimate with Him in private."

Herein lies a great principle of the Kingdom of God. It is the key to progressing spiritually and developing a Kingdom mentality. Learn to do everything in secret, don't let your left hand know what the right hand is doing. Don't blow a trumpet, heralding all your good works to all men. Keep it secret, just between you and God.

I gave this young man three disciplines to master:
1. Learn to worship God privately.
2. Consistently read the Word of God and faith filled books about God.
3. Learn to give consistently in secret. The amount is not important, but the attitude of the heart is.

If this young man will practice these three disciplines, he will make much progress in the Kingdom of God.

Things Done In Secret

2007-10-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

I received a letter today from a local ministry I used to be affiliated with. After explaining how many good things they were doing in a certain foreign country, the ministry leader explained they needed $10,000 per month to keep this good work going. Enclosed with the letter was a self addressed offering envelope from the ministry that I could send my donation in.

I pondered the letter for awhile. I thought of one of the teachings of Jesus, who said, "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing so that your giving may be in secret.Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4 NIV

Somewhere along the way, we've gotten away from the principals of the Kingdom of God. Our way is to tell the world how good a job were doing blessing the less fortunate and, by the way, send us an offering so we can keep it up.

In the Kingdom of God, the way is to do things in secret, don't let a soul know what you're up to. God will see it though and He will reward you. You won't have to send appeal letters or beg over the TV screen.

Messianic Movement thoughts...

2007-09-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

In the past few years, a new sect has risen within the Christian faith. This would be the Messianic Movement, completed Jews, One New Man, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-semetic, no way! I believe Christians should support the Israelites because God gave to us all, through them: the adoption, the Presence, the covenants, the Law, temple worship, the promises, the patriarchs and the Christ. See Romans 9:4-5.

However, God has no less love for the Ukainians, Sudanese, Chinese or any other people group as compared to the Israelites. In the Kingdom of God, no people group are more special than another.

I spent a couple of years attending a messianic fellowship. It was very interesting in that I felt I needed to be on my toes, judging every word, wary of coming under the law again. I believe this is a major danger of this movement, returning to a legalistic form of do's and don'ts. I did receive some great teaching about the Feasts and how they relate to Christ. Who, by the way, fullfilled the whole Law, including the feasts.

Oh, I no longer attend that fellowship, but's that another story.

Apostle Paul devotes his letter to the Galation church on this matter, leaving the grace of God for another gospel (not that there is any other gospel, but some are troubling and disturbing with a different kind of teaching, Galations 1:7 Amplified).

And some of these Messianic leaders are preaching another gospel. That Gentile believers must embrace or return to observing the feasts of Israel. That every believer should return to the land of Israel. Where is the New Testament church instructed to do these things? No where in my Bible.

There were just some things that I could not take as a believer in Christ. For instance, if there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, neither male nor female in Christ (Galations 3:28), why are the Messianics wanting the Gentile believers to take on Israelite religious customs? Such as keeping the feasts, wearing kippahs & tallits and blowing ram's horns. Observing the Jewish calander of days, months and years. It's like they are trying to make Jews out of all us Gentiles.

"You observe days, months and times and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain." Galations 4:10-11.

I've also wondered about this. How do you know if you're of Jewish descent? Can a blood test reveal it? DNA test?

When Israelites become believers in Christ, they lose their Jewish identity, or at least it becomes secondary to their new identity in Christ. I'm an American, but it's secondary to my identity in Christ and my eternal citizenship in the Kingdom of God.

I'll continue this later.....

Religion Sucks, Relationship Rules

2007-09-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

I hate religion. Unfortunately, a big part of Christiandom has become religious. Recent studies by Barna Research Group indicate that evangelical growth in America has been flat since 1995. Barna's research indicates the mainline denominations have had declining numbers for even longer.

What's wrong with our churches in America? The leadership seem to be clueless, they do not possess a Kingdom mentality. However, if you'll ask the increasing numbers of Christians who've filled the pews for years but have since left their churches, you'll find the answers.

Let me set the record straight. I haven't conducted any formal studies or polls. I just listen to long time Christians who've given up on the present day American church.

This is what I've been hearing, but not in any order of importance:

  -Tired of the heirarchy ruling without concern for the pew people
  -Pastor trying to control the sheep
  -Too much emphasis on giving money to the church
  -Leadership demanding allegience to their "vision"
  -Sex scandels involving leaders of the church
  -Financial scandels involving leaders of the church
  -Church is boring
  -Church is impersonal
  -Services are too predictable
  -No life in services, just form

Not a pretty picture for the American church. Now before any Pharisees start looking for rocks to throw, let me say there are churches that don't fit this picture...there must be, I'm sure. I just don't know of any and not within driving distance of any.

Back to religion sucking. Not long ago, I was reading the 4 Gospels, actually skimming them, looking for passages that were included in 2 or more of the 4. I realized something. Jesus had a pretty low opinion of the religious leaders of His day.

Here are a few of the comments Jesus Christ made to the religious leaders of His day:

You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? (Matthew 23:33)

You belong to your father, the devil...(John 8:44)

He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. (John 8:47)

In some circles of the American church, the talk is of a coming revival. I think were past needing a revival. We need a reformation. Something along the order that Martin Luther started. The church of his day in Europe sucked also. Religion was ruling. But Luther's lightbulb went on (a revelation) that the just lived by faith, not works. Furthermore, he saw that church folk didn't need to "go through" an earthly priest to access God. They actually had direct access through Jesus Christ, the High Priest (Hebrews 7:22-25) to God, the Father.

The reformation we need would eradicate religious thinking from the American church. In it's place would be a relational mindset, especially among the leadership, who would take on a more servitude spirit rather than the present empirical spirit.

Paramount would be that every believer has a relationship with God on a personal level. No more looking down the nose from the pulpits of America that the one standing behind it knew God better than the rest.

Pastors in Repentance

2007-01-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

As pastors and ministry leaders within the local church we have believed and operated with the mindset that all ministries were church related and that they were to be under its government and control. We have not understood the Kingdom of God or how it was to manifest on the earth. As a result we have used people to build our churches and ministries. In doing so we have not honored those called by God to minister in commerce, media, arts, government, social services and most other occupations outside the influence of the organized church. If individuals could not or would not serve our vision for our churches, we undervalued them as less important - but accepting them as sources of income.

Most of these people have been ignored and as a result they have become discouraged and disconnected. Many have left in frustration, anger and disillusionment, believing somehow that they were less spiritual. Others have given up trying to fit themselves into the limited space within the local church structure and ministry.

We have attempted to make business executives into intercessors, sales people into children.s nursery workers, business administrators into Sunday school superintendents, and so the list goes on and on.
As pastors and ministry leaders we want to tell you that we have been wrong. What we have taught and demonstrated for generations within the church has been shallow and selfish. We are sincerely sorry, and we come in repentance for our bad attitudes, wrong beliefs, and our poor behavior towards you. Please forgive us.

We honor you as Kingdom people . called by God to the marketplace. We believe you are ordained by God to occupy and to transform your sphere of influence and the territory to which you have been called. We release honor, blessing and favor on your life and personal calling to the marketplace. We as pastors and ministry leaders are prepared to stand with you and support you in your God given ministries. You have dreams ordained by God. It is our privilege and heart.s desire to call them forth, and to see you fully established in the destiny for your life.

Pastors and Ministry Leaders of Sonoma County, CA
(Facilitated by Pastors. Prayer and Ministry Alliance of Sonoma County)