Truth Inspires

The hymn, Joy to the world, the Lord has come , is a seasonal favorite in churches and homes during the Christmas season. It was written by Isaac Watts' and published as a hymn in his famous hymnal, Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament. 1 In my estimation it is meant to declare the “Joy" one is to experience when they consider the Biblical nativity (1st Advent) and eternal rule (2nd Advent), where the Lord twice steps out of eternity and into the bounds of time. What I would like for us to consider is the question, "Can real joy be found every day of our lives?" Certainly from the world’s point of view this is impossible when we consider how worldly joy is attained. The closest thing the world can emulate to the true joy declared as available in Scripture is "eventful joy;" that is to say, a joy that is based upon certain events that occur in life; a new job, a goal reached, a new child, a new car, a new promotion, a ...

I will trust You!! Psalm 143:8   The toughest thing Christians struggle with is by far, “faith.” Faith to believe there is a God. Faith to trust that He knows who we are (He is personal). Faith to believe He is sovereignly in control of our lives. Faith to trust that He will follow through on His promises (that is, his promises are true and trustworthy). Faith to trust that he will do what we ask in accordance with His will. Faith to continuously trust Him even if the answer we received was not included in our request.   Faith to believe and accept that He knows what is best for us. Faith is part of the Christian’s growing process. If we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, Rom. 8:29, then the very word “conformed” must by proxy include process of transformation. The process God uses is the same at its root level for all, but the experience differs. I believe the difference in experience is directly related to the call that God places on each life. Aft...

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10) This simple passage of Scripture has probably been responsible for bring more hope into the heart of Christians than any other in the Bible. It is beautifully written and speaks to the heart of the doctrine of Salvation. All people, young and old, at one time or another in their lives consider the question of salvation. They may not know or understand the term, but when they consider eternity, the afterlife, and what the future holds for them, often that term or its sister, Redemption, comes to mind. In our heart of hearts we know that there are times when we sin and often hurt others in the process. It is a given for all of humanity and unfortunately, there is no escaping it. The shame, the contempt we exert toward wh...

As you know a couple of weeks back, the Washington National Cathedral suffered earthquake damage. This weekend the world will be able to view what the “Quakes Cracks” have exposed—an audience that perfectly pictures and illustrates the religions of the world left behind after Christ raptures His true church. In an article on Fox News titled, Evangelicals Left Off National Cathedral 9/11 Program the true church, “Evangelicals” are not invited. Interesting! The event will feature the dean of the Cathedral, the Bishop of Washington, a rabbi, Buddhist nun and incarnate lama, a Hindu priest, the president of the Islamic Society of North America and a Muslim musician. This is actually good news in that true Christianity is not being invited to mix with false religion! It is also just exactly what the Scriptures indicate will happen in the last days. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers...

This is always a topic that can pique the interest of true Christians. You know who you are. You have prayed for God’s direction but have not received an answer. You have an urgent desire to serve Him but you do not know where. Or maybe you are serving Him in a special calling but all it has brought is trial and discomfort. Can that possibly happen? In today’s Pop-Gospel it seems it can’t. But in the real Gospel it can. Jeremiah was one such subject. Called to be a prophet, he loathed the disobedience and oppressions that surrounded him so God called him to speak out against it—his mission, to call the people back into God’s fold; but all he got in return was derision, shame, and trouble. In Lamentations He had this to say: I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. He has led me and made me walk In darkness and not in light. Surely He has turned His hand against me Time and time again throughout the day. Lamentations 3:1-3 He has besieged...

With the nation of Israel sovereignly being in her land since 1948 a breath of fresh air is beginning to blow heavily over their land. Both Orthodox Jewish and Christian populaces have high hopes that something awesome will soon be occurring! Could the Messiah Jesus be getting ready to appear??  Many believe so, including myself!! The fact that Israel is even in the ancient land after having been overrun by the Roman tides in 70 A.D. is miraculous! What an awesome fulfillment of Bible Prophecy! The Bible states of these latter days: “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,“ That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth . In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the...

 Update: prayer still needed for brother Yousef. Pastor Yousef facing execution In Iran three pastors have been arrested and and are facing death penalty charges for their faith in Christ. In today's world you do not need to read about the persecution of believers in the early church as your only source.  Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was just re-sentenced to face "death by hanging" if he does not recant his faith in Christ. If he confessed Islam they will spare his life. Source: Levitt Newsletter Sept 2011 Other pastors arrested include: Pastor Behrouz Sadegh-Khanjani Pastor Abdolreza “Matthias” Haghnejad Please Pray Sincerely for the Lord to miraculously intervene or that He would use their faith as examples to lead others to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ! There are many other areas where persecution is going on and they all need our prayerful support!!!! God Bless Bro. Mike More info can be found at Voice of the Martyrs

Earl Powell manning the God Mobile Yesterday was a blessed day at he fair. My family and I attended two concerts, Chris August and Jars of Clay. The events were co-sponsored by our BMIC (Business Men In Christ) ministry and they were a blessing. On another note, the "God Mobile," headed up by the BMIC Chaplain at large, Earl Powell, has been a mainstay at the fair for several years. This year preliminary figures indicate they were able to pray with over 265 men, women, and children concerning their relationship to Christ. May God's blessings be upon those wonderful God-fearing men and women, who attended the booth and prayed and counseled those individuals. All-in-all, it was a very blessed day, especially for those who prayed to accept Christ. Verse to start the week: Romans 8:26-39 (NKJV) 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings ...

Desiring to deepen your understanding of Scripture? "Those Who Are Wise Will Shine! Understanding the Work of God in Your Redemption" underscores that desire. First off, it is not a self-help book. It doesn't try to entice the believer by giving advice directly related to struggles with particular life situations. Instead, it exposes God's work as it directly relates to bringing redemption or salvation into the world. It is punctuated by the simple gospel message that it is Christ God the Father sent to relate to humanity on our level; His relational work — His becoming like us in order to truly represent us — underscores His love for us. It is His work on our behalf. Essential to maintaining proper godly and spiritual growth is the Christian's ability to grasp how God's work in our lives brings lasting peace. Colossians 3:15 states: " And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."...