Submit to God and Be at Peace With Him

Job 22:21-30 "Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you. 22 Accept instruction from his mouthand lay up his words in your heart. 23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent 24 and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, 25 then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you. 26 Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. 27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. 28 What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways. 29 When men are brought low and you say, 'Lift them up!'then he will save the downcast. 30 He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands." NIV

ARTWORK: Guide My Spirit O Lord http://www.majesticartworks.com/ID21guide.htm

The Journey from Success to Significance

I would like to recommend this small book and this quote from Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140410111X/104-1431762-5275119?v=glance&n=283155 Best-selling author and nationally renowned motivational speaker John Maxwell looks beyond a worldly view of what matters to find a deeper call and a greater purpose in life. Stripping away the myths of success touted by our culture, he boldly and confidently asserts that true significance is only found by living in relationship with God and by using one's energy and influence to pass along God's love to others. Written in Maxwell's straightforward style punctuated with engaging stories and anecdotes, The Journey from Success to Significance is right on target.

Thanks Jesus!

Thank you Jesus for your provision! We delight in your presence, your majesty and grace!

The Power to See, Understand or Perceive Correctly (revised)

What’s Your World View?
Maybe that is a question you never thought about or even realized was a question. Our world view is the set of lenses through which we comprehend the world in which we live and move and have our being.

Acts 17:28
8' For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' NIV

It used be said that there were three types of world views;
The Eastern world view
The Western world view
The Biblical world view

These were defined as follows:
The Eastern world view was understood to be that world view that included the spiritual world as a part of every day life. This view would also be seen as spiritualistic as it understood the spirit world to be involved in every aspect of life. Some would say that it was superstitious or filled with myth and legend.

The Western world view was thought to be the world view that embraced knowledge and the scientific method. This world view had eliminated the need for spirits and superstitions. This was the world we could measure and understand with our five senses.

The Biblical World view is the correct understanding of the world in which we live and move and have our being. It comprehends both the spirit world and the world of our senses revealed by the One true God who created it and all that exist. It understands the proper order and nature of all that exist.

You may be wondering why the first two world views are wrong and the third one correct. The answer is that those people who see things according to the first two have had there understanding darkened by sin which in turn has separated them from God.

Rom 1:18-23
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. NASU

Those people with the Biblical world view have accepted Christ and the mind of Christ. Their understanding is no longer foolish or darkened.

1 Cor 2:14-3:1
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. NIV

Col 1:12-14
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. NIV

We who have received Christ as our savior or Messiah no longer have our minds darkened and therefore may begin to understand the true order and workings of God’s creations, both natural and spiritual. It is His light and His Spirit that brings us into all truth and allows us to see as he sees this world in which we live and move and have our being!

This is a primary teaching on the road to understanding the spiritual realm and in exercising our authority as people of the Way, as believers are called in Acts before they were called Christians or followers of Christ.
Note: In recent history 'the way' was indeed a sect or group of people who have used this Biblical term in an unhealthy manner, and who have not accepted a complete understanding of Biblical Christianity.

Acts 24:14-16
14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. NIV
Acts 11:26
The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. NIV
Artwork "Alpha & Omega." On page three at the link below.
http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=1592821654&c=c&search=14071

The Jesus Connection

The Jesus Connection gives us the Power to Turn the World Upside Down

When we examine the New Testament we find a world very much like our own. There was a mixture of cultures, values, religions and beliefs. The demonic spirits which had lied to each culture were at war to gain dominance as the peoples of the world mixed with each other.

Demonic principalities and powers did all they could to stop the spread of the Good News. The demonic powers used fear, magic, politics and racial hatred to stop the Gospel and all who were apart of the Way. (John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

When we study the NT we also find the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit’s power allowed the believers in the Early Church to transform their world despite all of these elements which were aligned against them and the Good News they carried. It is obvious that the Gospel or Good News which Jesus brought engaged every level of society, culture and spirituality. Many see the message of Jesus as a weak and useless outdated philosophy; others see it as a threat to their chosen path, beliefs or culture. It is however God’s Good News to all people groups and has the power to transform lives, families, and nations!

Word Study Note: When you look up the word power in a concordance you will find that it occurs 250 times in NT

UNDERSTANDING THE SETTING
We can see the priority Jesus gave the receiving of the Holy Spirits power which would be necessary if the believers were to continue ‘to do and teach all that Jesus began to do and teach, Acts 1:1-8.’ To gain a good comprehension of the world into which the Gospel (Good News) came after the death and resurrection of Jesus we can read Romans 1:1-32. We also see that for the Jew who rejected Jesus as the Messiah, Christians or the people of the Way, were seen as turning their world upside down, Acts 17:1-10. The Gospel was Good news for all who would believe, but for those who made their living from the demonically inspired religions of the day it caused a great disturbance, Acts 19:1-20:1!
It is important that you read the entire Biblical text referenced so I have provided links to online Bible sites. http://www.biblegateway.com

You Shall Receive Power
Acts 1:1-8 There are two related and key truths in this passage.
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." NIV
Mankind takes a rebellious path from which the Gospel alone has the power to deliver.

Power for Those Who Believe
Rom 1:1-32
16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." NIV

Power to Turn the World Upside Down
Acts 17:1-10
6: These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; KJV
The Gospel (the Way of Christ) causes a great disturbance to the world’s way of thinking and doing things!

Power to Cause a Great Disturbance
Acts 19:1-20:1
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. NIV

No where in the NT is this battle more clear than in area known as Asia Minor
It was a land bridge between Asia and Europe which was often the battle ground for those seeking to impose their way. politically, spiritually or morally on others.

"A peninsula, also called Anatolia, situated in the extreme western part of the continent of Asia. Asia Minor was bounded on the north by the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles; the Aegean Sea on the west; and Syria and the Mediterranean Sea on the south.
Roughly identical with the modern nation of Turkey, Asia Minor was a high plateau crossed by mountains, especially the Taurus Mountains near the southern coast. In the New Testament, the term Asia is ambiguous, sometimes referring to the peninsula of Asia Minor as a whole (Acts 19:26-27), but more often referring to proconsular Asia, situated in the western part of the peninsula (Acts 2:9; 6:9). The writer of Acts appears to use the term Asia to describe the region of the province of Asia around Ephesus. He refers to other regions of the province as Phrygia and Mysia (Acts 2:9-10; 16:6-7). "(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Truths with Power
In this study we will learn the powerful truths that are provided in Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians to help us win our battles against evil and turn or world upside down. We will also learn what magic is, who the powers are, and why is it important for us to know about them? What is Spiritual Warfare, is it important in scripture, do we all need to fight spiritual battles, what are our weapons, and from whom do we have authority to win any spiritual battle?

Check back each week for the next article in this study. Or if your in the Denver area, hear it in person on Sunday Mornings 9:15 a.m. at Calvary Temple on University Blvd in the
' Connections Class'. Ministry Center room 1.

Artwork by Manifold Majesty by William hallmark at http://www.majesticartworks.com/GB%20228.htm

Dying to Self by Ray Beeson

The brief article below comes from Ray Beeson at
Overcomers Ministries http://www.overcomersministries.org/

Dying to Self
It’s an ancient term—forgotten, neglected, and even annoying to some. At the same time it is one of the most valuable truths in Scripture when understood properly.

An unknown writer penned the idea well:
1. When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.
2. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advise disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence, that is dying to self.
3. When you are content with any food, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self.
4. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self.
5. When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy or question God, though your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self.
6. When you can receive correction and reproof from someone of less stature than yourself, and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no resentment or rebellion rising up in your heart, that is dying to self.

Just a Thought,

Ray Beeson
Overcomers Ministries
7357 Wolverine St.
Ventura, CA 93003

Ray's Ministry Schedule is below and check out his site for other great resources!
http://www.overcomersministries.org/

Ministry Schedule:
June 4: Valley Community Four Square Church. Santa Paula, CA Morning and Evening.
June 11-14: Calvary Christian Center. Hanford, CA. Prayer Conference.
June 18-21: Church of the Nazarene. Newberg, OR. Prayer Conference.
June 25: Rogue Valley Fellowship. Medford, OR. Morning Only.
June 28: Bethel Church. Medford, OR. Wednesday evening only.
July 2-5: Church of the Nazarene. Hood River, OR. Prayer conference.

Artwork: It is Finished by William Hallmark http://www.majesticartworks.com/detail.aspx?ID=2597

To Mend and Bring to Maturity

There is a great deal of conversation and commotion in the Body of Christ today about the reality of having Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers as described in
Ephesians 4:11-13.

Some say these gifts do not all function today while others believe they are still functioning in the church today but under different names. You’re Wineskin (church government and structure) along with the point in history and context of the birth of your fellowship, or church group will greatly determine how you understand the meaning and function of these gifts.

It is not my objective to argue this point today. Instead, I would like to look at the purpose or responsibility of these 'gifts to the church' and all who are called into the leadership of God's people. These verses when examined in a variety of translations and the Greek in which it was originally written help us to understand that 'the gifts' God has given have the responsibility to 'Equip believers to do the work of the ministry(taking the good news to others outside of the church) and to build up the believers and bring them into a place of full maturity.'

When we examine the words and their meaning in context we see that a part of this equipping is the mending or making whole of individual believer.

We also see that another part of being equipped, is to be properly fit (taking ones proper and unique place) into the body of Christ according to the individual’s, gifts, skills, maturity and experience.

The death and resurrection of Jesus was designed to make us whole and make maturity in Him possible

Artwork, The Road to the Cross by Graham Braddock
http://www.christian-artprints.com/

Jesus is The Way at Turning Points

We often encounter turning points in life. When we come to these turning points we are tempted to waver or we have our faith and hope challenged.
In the Old Testament when the people of God encountered overwhelming enemies or situations where their faith and hope were challenged there is a consistent pattern of victory in these times and a pattern that leads to defeat.
The pattern for victory includes calling out to God while humbling oneself and even calling the nation to times of fasting and humbling themselves before God.
Those who did so out of an honest and contrite or repentant heart received the victory. They were given God’s solution or plan. Within this victory or plan there are two key elements; God timing and God’s strategy.
When we come to such turning points or crises in our lives these principles work for us today. We must humble ourselves and call out to God. When we do, we can expect him to bring us the answer we need by His strategy and in His time.
Queen Ester’s story is one example of following this pattern to victory.King Saul on the other hand did not follow this pattern, but took things into his own hands and lost not only the battle but his kingdom. Today, if you are at a turning point, humble yourself (fasting is a way to do that), call out to God and He will hear your voice and give you the victory with His strategy and His timing! Picture by Graham Braddock's Christian art works.
The artwork, featured above is Manifold Majesty by Graham Braddock
http://christian-art.biz/

Wisdom for a fresh Move of God Part 3

Let's look at another Biblical example of God's supernatural interaction with people.

Isaiah in the Temple (Fresh fire, fresh revelation, fresh humility and holiness, Fresh call, Fresh Vision and Calling)

(Note Isaiah's state of mind.) Isa 6:1-8

6:1 IN THE year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. [John 12:41.]
2 Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two [each] covered his [own] face, and with two [each] covered his feet, and with two [each] flew.
3 And one cried to another and said, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!
6 Then flew one of the seraphim [heavenly beings] to me, having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with tongs from off the altar;
7 And with it he touched my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity and guilt are taken away, and your sin is completely atoned for and forgiven.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. AMP

Other Places where the Glory of God is revealed in some way.

Ex 33:21-34:1;
Job 38-41;
Rev 1-4.

Please note the details of the following points of the encounter with God.

Isaiah's Encounter as a whole

The Circumstances that cause Him to seek God

The Setting or location

The Reaction of Isasiah to the majesty and holiness of God even though He was a servant and prophet of God already.

The Response of God to Isaiah's realization of His imperfection in light of God's perfection and purity. (Out of the mouth come the abundance of the heart. Also note his identity as a representative of the people of Israel.)

The Call or Opportunity of God

The Response of man to the might and wonder of God and the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing.

Way-FM Alternative Christian Music

Alternative Christian Music Wayfm.com http://kxwa.wayfm.com/home.php
Reaching this generation for Jesus!

Thank you to Pastor Barry Palser of Calvary Temple Denver for mentioning this awesome new resource to communicate the Good News to a new generation. http://www.calvarytempledenver.com

Vision 20:1
In addition to our Mission:
“to encourage youth and young adults in their Christian lives and to introduce Jesus to those who do not yet know Him.”

We are also driven by a short term vision we call VISION 20:1.
In 2003 we adopted an exciting four year vision that we are prayerfully working towards. Here is our vision for a “season” in our history:
“Trusting God, we will partner together to expand our outreach to 20 Million people by 2007, resulting in a daily, Christ-centered impact in the lives of 1 Million youth and young adults.”
In other words, we are believing God that by the fall of 2007 (our 20th anniversary), there will be at least 20 million people who are able to tune WAY-FM in on their radio. This is our potential audience. We hope this will result in at least 1 million actual listeners tuning in every week receiving the hope and encouragement found in our positive, upbeat music and overall presentation.
If you have any questions about Vision 20:1, feel free to email Bob

Our Core Values
WAY-FM’s Core Values provide a model of what we believe and how we want to conduct ourselves on a daily basis. Developed by the staff members of this ministry, these values guide, direct and represent all that we are and do.
Christ Centered
We celebrate our identity as a faith-based Christian ministry. The foundation for all we do is based on Jesus Christ as revealed in God’s Word. This becomes authentic when our staff, with the help of their respective local church, exhibits Spirit-led living.
Vision Driven
Everything we are about begins with the vision we believe God has given us, and is found in our mission statement. Vision provides the direction that moves us forward together.
Prayer Supported
From the boardroom to the stock room we want our ministry covered in prayer. We pray for one another regularly, pray for God’s Hand to remain upon this ministry, and encourage others to do the same.
Clear Communication
We welcome and lovingly respond to Spiritual inquiry from our listeners. Since our very calling is to communicate to an audience, we strive to communicate clearly and honestly with each other as well.
Respect Towards Others
We acknowledge our interdependence of each other and that everyone is created in the image of God. For those reasons alone, others deserve to be treated with love, dignity and respect. We are all leaders in some way and look to Jesus as our example of the perfect servant leader.
Wise Stewardship and Accountability
We deeply appreciate all resources God entrusts us with and consider ourselves stewards of your generous gifts. We believe in being accountable to high standards so that we earn your trust.
Remain Flexible
We acknowledge that change is a part of life, and the life of an organization. By remaining flexible we are willing to shift attention and responsibilities as the need arises in order to better serve each other and our listeners.
Professionalism With Excellence
We strive to do our work using out-of-the-box creativity and cutting-edge research, believing work done with excellence honors the Lord and also exemplifies leadership in our industry.
Integrity That Is Honored And Protected
The character of our people and the ministry itself is more important to us than our reputations. Integrity is highly valued and protected so as not to disappoint the Lord and hurt His work.
Listener and Ministry Focused
Recognizing we are part of the entertainment medium, we want our primary focus to be on relevant and transparent ministry to our communities that reflects our listeners’ lifestyle needs, through a caring and encouraging presentation.
http://kxwa.wayfm.com/home.php

Thanks for keeping the message alive in our day!