Looking for a Job

The Pathway of Suffering IS the Pathway to Perfection

Did you know that the Book of Job is widely considered to be one of the oldest books of the Bible...and perhaps even the first written book of the Bible?

Consider then the significance of this message being potentially chosen as God's first documented words to man.  There is much for us to learn from Job, especially as we encounter the trials of life.

In the two-part message linked below, Pastor Zac Poonen discusses the Book of Job and important truths we can learn for our lives today.

God is looking for a Job; a person who is blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil (Job 1:1).  Those are perhaps the very first words of inspired Scripture that God gave to man.

Maybe It's Just Me...

But I expect to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Not only some time far off in the future, not one day when I 'get to Heaven', but even now as we live and breathe in this world.

I wake up each day looking to see my Savior and to have there be a continued difference in my life because of Him.  I have the expectation daily that souls will be restored and captives set free; that people will be turned from darkness to light.  That God will move in miraculous and wondrous ways which cause His name to be glorified...even amongst those who may have denied Him the day before.  I expect that I will walk in as well as be changed and kept by His awesome power.

We are not just serving some pie in the sky speculation, but God is more real than you and I.  He is a Father who desires to commune with us and have us as His own.  Every second is being worked out according to His sovereign will, and nothing is able to change that.

Choose Life

"Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these." Jeremiah 2:34

Today is the 38th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision which was the landmark case legalizing the murder of unborn children in the United States. Since that time - in this country of freedom, democracy, and opportunity - over 50,000,000 (that's right, 50 million) babies have been slaughtered in the wombs of their mothers.

The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) wants Americans to commemorate this occasion with a "Blog for Choice" day.  While I am all for choices, what exactly are people being encouraged to choose?  According to NARAL:

"We believe that women should have option to choose abortion. Today they can, thanks to the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. But even though access to abortion is legal, our right to it is far from safe. Anti-choice groups attack our right to choose at every opportunity."

Why is this "choice" so important?  Because - as President Obama says - if my daughters get pregnant, I don't want them to be punished with a baby for that mistake.    Didn't you know that an unplanned baby is a punishment and a mistake?

Building Up of the House of the Lord

A Time of Great Shaking

"For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts." Haggai 2:6-7

This morning, God led me to the Book of Haggai.  I believe it would also be a helpful reading for others.  Remember, we are the temple of the Lord.  We need to be about building up our spirit man at the expense of all else.  As the days unfold and the Lord increases the shaking of this world, how will we otherwise be able to stand?  We need to be stirred up towards obedience to the word of the Lord (II Timothy 1:6; II Peter 3:1-2).

"And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God." Haggai 1:14

So if you have a moment today, I encourage you to read the Book of Haggai as it is a timely message for the church today.  It is two short chapters, but is a powerful message.  After reading it, I also found a bible study on Haggai by Pastor Zac Poonen which is edifying as well.

How Do I Love Thee?

In the Name of Love

We have spoken before about "love" and how true love is not what many think it is. 

We know from Scripture that God is love. God's illustration of love is that He sacrificed Himself for us...even unto His death (John 3:16).  This is the standard of love that He calls us to walk in as believers in Christ.  He calls us to a life of selflessness, which is synonymous with the expression of God's love (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23).  We may think that our actions or words are motivated by sincere love, but if our own desires, needs, hurts, or wants are at the center of it, then we deceive ourselves.

If we let the world define "love" for us, then we will think that love can motivate us to do even what God forbids.  According to popular culture, "love" can justify fornication, adultery, pedophilia, homosexuality, murder, lying, stealing, gossip, anger, unforgiveness, revenge, and a host of other sins. Many crimes against God and man are done in the name of love.

We - and especially our young people - need to understand that not all "love" is the same and not everything we think to be love actually is.

A Return to Truth

Our Deepest Fear

In 1992, an author named Marianne Williamson wrote a book called "A Return to Love" which went on to become a New York Times bestseller.  Since that time, an excerpt from this book has taken a life all its own.  It has become an inspirational mantra for younger generations, being incorporated into various movies and television shows as well as integrated as a teaching tool in educational systems.

On Ms. Williamson's website, it states:

A Return to Love is considered a must-read of The New Spirituality. A paragraph from that book, beginning "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure" - often misattributed to Nelson Mandela's Inaugural address - is considered an anthem for a contemporary generation of seekers...

She has been a popular guest on television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Good Morning America and Charlie Rose...Marianne also founded The Department of Peace Campaign, a grass roots campaign supporting legislation to establish a U. S. Department of Peace...According to Time magazine, "Yoga, the Cabala and Marianne Williamson have been taken up by those seeking a relationship with God that is not strictly tethered to Christianity."

The Overcoming Life Conference

We have posted several messages from Pastor Zac Poonen on this site, so hopefully you are familiar with him.  Pastor Poonen will be in the United States February 25-27, 2011 for a conference in Austin, TX.  The theme is "The Overcoming Life".

The conference itself is free and the lunches provided during the conference are also free.  They simply ask that you register so that they can plan accordingly.

You can find more information about the conference here:  http://www.ravensministry.com/Zac2011Feb.pdf

Registration details are here: http://ravensministry.com/attend.html

Live webcast link for those unable to attend in person: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/zacaustin2011feb

Links to previous year's conferences: http://www.ravensministry.com/download.html

There is also a Men's Conference with Pastor Poonen at River of Life Christian Fellowship in Loveland, CO on March 18th-20th, 2011.  This too is free for men 18 years and older (or 15 years and older when accompanying a male parent/guardian).

Pastor Poonen will also be speaking at Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountainview, California on the following days/times where all are welcome:

Feb.12 (4:30 pm) and Feb. 13 (8:30 am and 11:00 am)
Feb. 19 (4:30 pm) and Feb. 20 (8:30 am and 11:00 am)
March 5 (4:30 pm) and March 6 (8:30 am and 11:00 am)
March 12 (4:30 pm) and March 13 (8:30 am and 11:00 am)

Ethnos Shall Rise Against Ethnos

We Be Abraham's Seed

"Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." Luke 21:10

In the text above, the word "nation" is the Greek word ethnos, which refers to people of the same race or nationality who share a distinctive culture.  According to Jesus, one sign of the end times is that there will be an increase in the struggle between ethnicities.

Not only is this true in the world at large, but we see this same distractions in the churchworld as racial tensions rise around the physical identity of Israel.  All across the globe, racial separatists are claiming to be the "true Israel" of God...and there is a reason why these groups are picking up steam: the pride of life.

Jesus is Not Schizophrenic

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:28-29

Scripture says that those who love God and have been called by Him are predestined to be "conformed" to the image of Christ.  But what does this mean?  What does it mean to be "Christ-like"?

conform: to act in accord with the prevailing standard; to be or become similar in form, nature, or character; to be in harmony or accord; to adapt, adjust

The standard for the Christian is Jesus, and those called by God are to reflect His very nature as they are changed by the power of the Spirit (II Peter 1:4).

And here is the kicker: Jesus Christ is real!  He is not a myth, a figment of man's imagination, or a generic moniker for things we consider "good".  He is literally the Word of God who was made flesh and dwelt amongst men.  He has a distinct character, nature, and personality.  There are things He likes, and things He dislikes.  Faith in Christ results in an actual transformation so that - even now - we will be as He is (I John 4:17).

The Book of James

Life is But a Vapor

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil." James 4:14-16

In the following videos, Pastor Gary C. Price does a study on the Book of James.

By introduction to the message, Pastor Price gives a short overview of a book called "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne.  This book teaches new age occultism by encouraging men to tap into an energy source or higher power so that man can dictate what happens in his own life.  He also shows how this approach to self-actualization is permeating through all parts of society.

Yet "The Secret" is actually no secret at all.  It is the same old lie spoken by Satan in the Garden of Eden which seeks to undermine God's words and entice man to determine what is good or evil for himself.  Set your own path.  Create your own destiny.  Speak your own existence into being by the power of positive thinking and proclamation.